I’ve learned something new today in my quiet time: it’s the term “tensile strength”. I think I’ve heard of this before, but I understood it better this time and even learned something more valuable than just the definition itself.
By definition, tensile strength is the maximum tension or stretching a material can withstand before it tears. If an engineer miscalculates the tensile strength, a structure may collapse under certain pressure.
When we are under the weight of stress and hardship, we may wonder if the Lord has miscalculated our “tensile strength”. Feeling natin bibigay na tau sa mga problema nating dinadala. Parang di na natin kaya. But God never makes mistakes, and He knows everthing about us. He knows our weaknesses. God, being our Designer, knows exactly the amount of weight we can handle. Best part is that His overflowing grace is sufficient for us to handle our problems. This is what God has promised in His Word from 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
7Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me–to keep me from exalting myself!
8Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me.
9And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness “ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
10Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
The very purpose of the trials and burdens we have is to keep us from being proud. “Thorns in the flesh” are reminders to us that we need God. If we don’t experience those trials, we will become self-sufficient and will not cling to God. Andami ngang times na nakakalimot tau kay God if everything’s going well. We sometimes forget to thank God when everything’s okay. We think we’re alright on our own. God doesn’t like that kind of thought. That’s why we experience hardships in our life. Besides, these are also being use by God to mold our character. He loves us so much that He wouldn’t allow us to stay as we are. He wants us to grow more into His likeness.
God’s power rests in our weaknesses. Paano pa Niya tau isstrengthen if we are already strong on our own, diba? Kulang na kulang naman ung strength natin. It will never suffice. Kaya dapat okay lang sa atin ung difficulties and hardships na nararanasan natin kasi dun natin maeexperience ung strength ni God. He will be revealing His glory in His time if we will only be patient to wait on the Lord to act. Siya naman ang bahala sa lahat eh.
Just like what Paul said in the above verses, palagi din akong nagpplead kay God na ilipat na ko ng department sa work. He knows my struggles where I’m at now. But then, wala pang way out sa ngayon. He just wants me to be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10). And grabe, araw-araw hindi nagfefail si God sa pagsesend sakin ng grace Niya. I get through everyday kahit may persecution sa work, all by His grace. Feeling ko minsan di ko na talaga keri ung situation ko sa work, tapos dagdag pa ung emotional stresses ko ngayon coming from a breakup and missing Jack so much, but then I am carrying on because God is helping me out. He is just a prayer away. Iiiyak ko lang sa Kanya and He understands what I am going through. Tapos I would find comfort in His Word. Sabi nga Niya, “Never will I leave you, nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
Haaay…I am just so grateful to God. Amidst all trials and persecutions, life is still beautiful and worth-living because we have an Almighty Father who loves us so much and won’t leave us hanging. He is just there ready to rescue and deliver us. What can I say? Being in a relationship with God totally rocks! ^^
