One of my daily reminders is to find my strength in solitude with God. How do I do this?
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 – But he said to me, “My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, with insults, with troubles, with persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.
Whenever I am weak, then I am strong. Boasting in weakness is not natural. At least it does not seem natural to me. Look at me, I struggle with sin which comes out as loneliness causing intense pain. He is gracious to give me this pain to remind me of my separation from Him.
So I must face the pain knowing that it is part of the purifying fire. I pray or fast or seek wise counsel to find the sin in my life. When I find this sin, I repent and turn it over to Him. I pray for my eyes to be opened because I want to avoid this sin in the future. Sometimes pleading for this. I do not like the pain but I know that the mortification of sin is the only way my relationship with Him will be restored.
I see just a small portion of my life but as this process works itself out I realize that God uses loneliness to send me into the arms of Jesus. This isn’t always a noticeable change but I have seen God sending me to His Word more, into prayer and communion with Him more, and sacrificing more for Him and His kingdom. Do I want to experience this pain? Not particularly but I know my sinful nature will continue to manifest itself. I cannot hide from it.
I will continue to experience the painful separation from God. But God will continue to perfect the good work He began in me. And He will receive the glory from my life.