The Meat

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation. 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

Trials are part of your sanctification.

 The pathway to Christ is called the way of the cross because it includes suffering and brokenness. 

We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;  persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us, but life in you. 2 Corinthians 4:8-12

You need to pray for God to teach you in the midst of suffering rather than to take the suffering away. You can get the milk of the gospel during the calm times, but you chew on the meat of the gospel during the troubles of life. You may be tempted to say, “God, I want my meat served to me in a different way.” God says, “This is the best way to eat this steak, can you trust me?” You will lose opportunities to learn about the comfort of God by trying to change the format of your food. When you trust God, you discover His food is good and learn how to eat it.

God doesn't have to challenge you on things that are easy.

You don’t need a fork, knife or even teeth to drink milk or a protein shake, but you can only get so much nutrition out of a liquid diet. As you grow in your relationship with God, He teaches you how to use your fork and knife so you are able to get more out of the meaty moments life hands you. When you know how to learn and trust God through the tribulations of life, you learn how to digest His comfort in the meat. Additionally, as you learn how to use your fork and knife to cut up the meat for yourself, you are also able to cut up the meat for others as they are learning how to use their knife and fork. Eventually, they will have to learn how to cut and get the most out of their meat, but God can use you to teach others how to use their knife and fork.

Flowers can’t grow without rain.

Just as flowers need rain and water to grow, you need milk and meat to grow. It can be easy to complain when a steak is placed in front of you when you were expecting a hamburger. Instead of using the time to complain about your meat, you can figure out how you are going to cut up your steak to get the most out of it. You may never know how to cut up your steak like a master chef, but you can use the cutting skills you have to help others who don’t know where to get started. When life presses in on you from every side, you can still trust God and learn how to receive an abundance of His comfort that you can share with others as you cut through the suffering that comes from following Christ.