“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
My chapter in Larry Christensen’s The Renewed Mind today deals with trouble. I have read somewhere (it might not be correct) that swords generally fall into two categories. There is the sort with which you stab (e.g. rapier) and there is the sort with which you slice (e.g. saber.) Of course, in the heat of battle, one doesn’t generally take time to think, “Oh, I can’t run this saber through his guts, it’s not a rapier.”
Mr. Christensen discusses a different sort of weapon that has both a cutting edge and what he calls an “etching point.” The cutting edge is used to reveal weakness, sickness, and damage, and remove it. The etching point is used a little like a tattoo needle, to inscribe on us the image of Christ.
What weaknesses does this weapon reveal? It reveals the weakness of our circumstances and of our character, excising those tumors so we cannot depend on them for our happiness. What does it etch? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, among others. What is this awful and wonderful weapon? Its name is Trouble.
Mr. Christensen discusses a different sort of weapon that has both a cutting edge and what he calls an “etching point.” The cutting edge is used to reveal weakness, sickness, and damage, and remove it. The etching point is used a little like a tattoo needle, to inscribe on us the image of Christ.
What weaknesses does this weapon reveal? It reveals the weakness of our circumstances and of our character, excising those tumors so we cannot depend on them for our happiness. What does it etch? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, among others. What is this awful and wonderful weapon? Its name is Trouble.
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