Talk To God During Extreme Testing
Talk To God During Extreme Testing | July 3rd
We know all too well that no one is exempt from trials. Thus, when trouble comes, we typically pray. However, when the heat is turned up, and tribulations seem unending, we tend to blame God and walk away from Him. But in these moments of extreme testing, we need to double down and pray more!
Therefore, we shouldn't decrease our prayers when our difficulties increase. Instead, we need to do like Jesus and match the intensity of our testing with passionate devotion. See, when facing the dismal reality of the crucifixion, Jesus didn't become pessimistic or panicky; instead, He prayed and sweated blood before facing the ordeal of the cross. Luke 22:39-44 says, "Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, 'Pray that you will not fall into temptation.' 41 He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 'Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.' 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground."
At first blush, some might think Luke is being overly dramatic. However, keep in mind that he is a physician and is noting an actual medical condition known as hematidrosis, a rare but real ailment that causes sweat to contain blood. Reports show that sweat glands are surrounded by tiny blood vessels that can constrict and then dilate to the point of rupture, causing blood to exude into the sweat glands. In this stress-filled, burdensome moment, Jesus didn't abandon prayer. With the weight of the world on His shoulders, He prayed.
What a reminder to you and me that whatever we face, we can approach God with boldness and earnestness.
Hebrews 4:16 says, "Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
Therefore, we shouldn't decrease our prayers when our difficulties increase. Instead, we need to do like Jesus and match the intensity of our testing with passionate devotion. See, when facing the dismal reality of the crucifixion, Jesus didn't become pessimistic or panicky; instead, He prayed and sweated blood before facing the ordeal of the cross. Luke 22:39-44 says, "Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, 'Pray that you will not fall into temptation.' 41 He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 'Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.' 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground."
At first blush, some might think Luke is being overly dramatic. However, keep in mind that he is a physician and is noting an actual medical condition known as hematidrosis, a rare but real ailment that causes sweat to contain blood. Reports show that sweat glands are surrounded by tiny blood vessels that can constrict and then dilate to the point of rupture, causing blood to exude into the sweat glands. In this stress-filled, burdensome moment, Jesus didn't abandon prayer. With the weight of the world on His shoulders, He prayed.
What a reminder to you and me that whatever we face, we can approach God with boldness and earnestness.
Hebrews 4:16 says, "Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
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