Increased Reliance

Welcome to Hope Mommies In the Word devotionals. Over the next several weeks, we will be meditating on 2 Corinthians 1:3-11. As we study the truths found in these verses together, we’d love you to use the comments as a place to dialogue with us about what you are learning and share your answers to the questions below. We pray that you hearts will be encouraged as you dig into God’s Word each week with us!

“ Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. ” 2 Corinthians 1:9

READ:

They say that losing a child is one of the very worst things a person can experience in his or her life. We, as hope mommies, understand that this is very true. There are just so many things that make losing a precious baby difficult, and we can often ask God why he would chose to take our precious child? What good could come from this trial?

In 2 Corinthians 1:3-11, Paul describes the beautiful comfort that is ours as believers in Christ no matter our circumstances. In verses 8-9, Pauls says, “…for we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.” I don’t know about you, but I can relate deeply with what Paul is saying about despairing of life itself and feeling like they had received the sentence of death. Losing a child can make you feel like there is no hope and that life is no longer worth living, but take heart, dear sister, God is the God of all comfort. He has given you this trial to increase your reliance on Him, and He will be faithful to the end.

There are times in life when it is easy to think we are self-reliant and can do things on our own. When our precious baby dies, it completely rocks our world and shatters us into a million pieces. We quickly recognize that we are not capable of going through this on our own. We have needed God all along—even before this major trial—but now we see our need for Him so much more.

Losing a child humbles us quickly and makes us turn to God in desperation. It is so difficult, but God wants us to rely more on Him. He wants to comfort us in our weakness and show us His great strength. As we rely on Him more, we see our need for more of Him. In 2 Corinthians 12:9 Pauls says, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.’” Sister, we are weak all of the time, but even more so after the death of a precious child. We need more of God and less of ourselves and the world. Turn to Christ, humble yourself, and learn as He teaches you to rely more on Him. It is not always easy, but God is faithful and will hold you fast as He comforts and teaches you during this time.

REFLECT:

1. In what practical ways have you seen God increase your reliance in him recently?
2. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” How do you reconcile these verses in 2 Corinthians 1 with Romans 8:28?
3. Pray that God would increase your love for Him and reliance on Him today.

Ravyn is married to Anthony, and together they have three children: Noah, Isabelle, and Micah. Ravyn is a teacher and loves reading, writing, and hiking.

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