Fightings and Fears

I love Paul when he sounds the most like me because it gives me hope that I can do this thing called "The Faith." This is why 2 Cor 7.5 resonates so much with me: "For when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears" (KJV). Yes, this sounds like me, wrestling with fears on the inside and difficulties on the outside.

Difficulties and fears are a normal part of living out the Christian faith. Indeed, I would argue that God brings difficulties and fears so that we learn to depend on him alone, rather than on our own abilities or strength. They are blessings! Sure they don't seem like it at the time, but neither did Joseph perceive his time in an Egyptian prison as a blessing, until he saw what God was up to. Then his testimony became: "You (his brothers) meant your actions for harm, but God meant them for good."