Endurance is such a gift of God. For without it we might faint.

 

The endless trials that come might well take us under but for the staying power of Christ.

 

I have loved this scripture deeply,

 

But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were in dread of the children of Israel (Exodus 1:12.)

 

Every time the enemy comes to afflict you, God multiplies. That crushing produces more and more oil until it becomes obvious the enemy of your soul shudders when you walk into a room. For his plan might soon get a good shattering because The Christ in you comes to rule and reign in that earthly place.

 

Isn’t it interesting that the affliction sent to harm then produces a multiplication and a growth?

 

Let’s look at what “grew” actually means in Strongs:

 

1. to break through or down or over, burst, breach
   1. 1. to break or burst out (from womb or enclosure)
      2. to break through or down, make a breach in
      3. to break into
      4. to break open
      5. to break up, break in pieces
      6. to break out (violently) upon
      7. to break over (limits), increase
      8. to use violence
      9. to burst open
      10. to spread, distribute

 

It seems there is something of significance that arises in any affliction moment. A type of “breaking through.”

 

Something perhaps not seen for a season but eventually coming to the surface in the fulfillment of …

 

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. (Genesis 50:20)

 

In the moment of the affliction you’ll likely not spot the increase. You’ll only see the loss and pain.

 

But joy is coming in the morning, friends.

 

The “breaking out of the womb” can be likened to the passage in Hosea 2:14-15 whereby that Valley of Achor (trouble) becomes a door of hope and soon you find your valley opening up to wider spaces as a lovely miracle is birthed from Heaven in a most surprising way.

 

God is secretly preparing for your multiplication moment whereby all that you endured comes to now haunt the gates of Hell.

 

Jesus was in your place of affliction. Jesus was pouring grace to the exact measure necessary for you to endure. Jesus was covering you from the “too much” that you thought might drowned you.

 

Always standing ready was Christ in your stead. When you couldn’t stand, He did. When you couldn’t speak, He did. When you couldn’t rise, He did gently carrying you beside the still waters where He faithfully tended to you.

 

You saw something of Him you had never seen before in that bitter place.

 

But you also saw something of YOU that you had never quite seen before in that bitter place.

 

That affliction caused a growth you didn’t expect. God gave you a new wisdom through it all. New insight and revelation. New eyes anointed to see and new ears that were now more in tune with His sweet voice.

 

Today, I, too, bear the scars from my own seasons of affliction.

 

But do you know what is the coolest thing ever about those scars?

 

Today, the devil is feeling the sting of them also.

 

I have found the thief, and he must restore to me seven times what he stole. (Proverbs 6:31).

 

So, chin up saints! Jesus has a hidden multiplication on the horizon and all of Hell is now dreading The Christ in you.