The Crushing by Anne Richardson

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.” [Peter I 4:12-19]

I don’t know about you, but my FIRST reaction to a fiery trial is to think exactly what Peter said we should not…”what in the world is happening?” It is human nature to react that way when the normal landscape of our lives is suddenly and unexpectedly altered. We stand alone and puzzled in the field of our lives, look up into the sky and ask, “Why?” Whether it is an offence, a betrayal or a loss of some kind-the first responder on the scene is our flesh. We shake our fist, shout with anger, wallow in self-pity, shut ourselves in, shut God out and on and on.

When I became a Christian several years ago, and faced my first fiery trial-God quickened three Scriptures to me that have been spiritual staples in my life. The last one fits with what I’m talking about here.

“…… for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” [Philippians 4:11-12]

In these two verses, Paul provides fellow believers with some weighty spiritual nourishment.

In the midst of a fiery trial-our first instinct may be to find somebody who has walked a mile in our shoes-someone who really understands. Paul more than qualifies. When he says, “I have learned”, we know from the Scriptures that experience has been his teacher. He can relate to our suffering on the very deepest level.

In case you need reminding, just read these few verses to get an idea of the crushing that took place in Paul’s life.

“Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;  In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.”  (2 Corinthians 11:23-27)

But through all of this, Paul learned.

 What did he learn?

He learned to be “content” no matter what situation of life he found himself in. Why? Because Paul came to understand that in the crushing of life’s difficulties and sufferings-the essence of Christ is released and expressed in our lives.

In case you are reading this with rising scepticism, thinking how impossible it is to be this way-especially in the situation you are facing or walking through right now.-let me pause here with another reminder

 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. [Philippians 4:13]

All means all. It doesn’t mean anything else. There are no loopholes or exceptions.. You can’t add “but” at the end of the verse. We simply CAN do ALL things THROUGH Christ

Who STRENGTHENS us! His power is released through the crushing circumstances of life when we stop resisting and stop responding in our flesh. When we believe and accept that God’s Word is true…undeniably…unshakably true! So when He says that ALL things work together for the good of those who love Him…once again He means ALL with no exceptions. It doesn’t matter how devastating, horrific or senseless your situation is-God intends for it to work something good in your life…..something beautiful….something that reveals HIS strength in your weakness. But you have to believe that. The power of that truth is activated by your faith and surrender.

I’m sure you have noticed that when things are crushed, they give off an aroma.  The essence of what a thing smells like is best discerned by crushing it.  Think of crushed coffee beans, crushed grapes or crushed violets. A pleasant aroma comes with the crushing.

The late Smith Wigglesworth said.

… be soaked with the Spirit; so soaked that every thread in the fabric of your life will have received the hue of the Spirit.  Then when you are squeezed to the wall, all that will ooze out of you will be the Jesus nature.”

This is what happens when we choose to heed God’s voice over the screaming voice of our flesh. When the trial comes. When the fiery dart lands smack dab in the middle of our heart -the first thing we want to do is pick up the rocks of anger and start hurling.

Just like the men who caught the woman in the act of adultery. I know. I’ve been there.

Crushing can also emit a repulsive odor….like the smell that comes from a trash compactor. Not the fragrance of Christ. But the foul smell of angry, violated flesh.

But when we bring our rage and pain to Jesus…the stones will fall one by one to the ground as he whispers to our broken heart, “Go ahead…if you are without sin…keep throwing the stones.”

All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. There’s that “all” word again. We didn’t just fall short once. We do it every day in so many ways. And every day we need His mercy and forgiveness. God is so wise and wonderful. He understands the weaknesses of our flesh so well.

But he was wounded for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his stripes we are healed. [Isaiah 53:5] ESV

 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
 and saves the crushed in spirit. 
 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
 but the Lord delivers him out of them all. [Psalm 34:18-19]ESV 

I have learned from experiencing God's certain and saving power that I can choose to be a fragrant aroma, like a crushed flower or coffee bean J An aroma of hope, strength, and blessing.  I can choose to trust God and to yield to Him in the trial- and emanate such Christlike fragrance that even my offender is touched by His presence.

Life is full of trials.  It's the way we grow.  No matter what trial you're in, consider what aroma the crushing of your spirit is bringing forth, and how it affects those around you. The crushing is an opportunity to reveal God’s strength and power.

Call upon the One Who was crushed for our iniquities and our transgression and ask Him to make you a pleasing aroma today!

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