Umbrellas provide protection from the rain and wind, except when they are cheap and not well-made. They blow upward and are rendered useless. We grumble to ourselves that we should have bought a better and stronger one. A cheap umbrella is no match for the winds and torrential rains, just as the world and its empty promises and schemes are no match for the storms of trials that come into our lives.

In 2 Timothy 2, we see Paul encouraging and strengthening Timothy for the challenges he’s about to face. Paul calls Timothy “my son” in chapter 2:1, and in chapter 1:2, he refers to him as his “beloved son.” Timothy wasn’t his real son, but these endearing terms show Paul’s love and affection for this young man. 

He had confidence in Timothy. Have you ever known someone in your life who saw your potential? Or encouraged you when you wanted to give up, even after you had failed big time? When we experience such grace, it touches us in powerful ways. We feel humbled and strengthened. We find the courage to keep going despite opposition and personal setbacks. Paul wants Timothy to know that he not only believes in him but also reminds him that God will equip him for whatever tasks lie ahead. 

The Christian life is hard. It’s been said that we are either just leaving a trial, in a trial, or headed into another trial. Despite knowing better, we want to be in control of our trials. We try to solve them, open closed doors, and fix things by all means possible. Paul prayed that the Lord would remove his thorn in his flesh. God didn’t remove it, but He did say this in 2nd Corinthians 12:9-10, “And he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness, most gladly therefore I will rather boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore, I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions and hardships, for the sake of Christ, for when I am weak, then I am strong.”

God may not answer our prayers for relief the way we hope. If God allows or leaves the thorn in our lives, does that mean He doesn’t love us? No, it means He may have a higher purpose for His glory by allowing it to remain. Being perfected in weakness is God's way of fine-tuning us and helping us to reflect a surrendered heart of grace, especially in times of trials. 

Paul’s life reflected many difficult trials. He wanted Timothy to remember what he saw and heard in his life. He wants this young man to pick up the torch and carry on. Facing hardships isn’t exactly a cheerful picture here. Timothy has seen firsthand the painful suffering of his beloved mentor and teacher. He says in 2:3, “Suffer hardships with me.” Paul wanted Timothy to step up, not step back.

Suffering requires sacrifice, humility, and above all, grace. In today's world, we can easily buy into the victim mentality, which is a selfish, prideful, and graceless way of thinking. The world suggests that hardships can be avoided if we just protect our rights. The problem is that this mindset allows pride to influence our lives as we pursue our goals and stay on our chosen path. In contrast, Grace doesn’t focus on what’s in it for me, but sees suffering as an opportunity that God might use to teach us and humble us, preparing us for greater things for Him.

Paul’s life centered on spreading the gospel, training, and equipping others to do the same. This is called spiritual reproduction. Pass on and deposit these truths to faithful men and women. We are to leave behind a spiritual heritage. The desire to pass on the gospel, biblical truths, and sound doctrine should bubble up inside us and spill over into others' lives. 

The Apostle Paul uses a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer to make his point about persevering in the gospel by grace. All three require training, patience, a mission, and a singular focus to get the job done. Since I’m not an athlete or farmer, I can relate to the military reference. When Ben was a Navy chaplain, our family recognized early on that this would be an exciting and adventurous experience, but also challenging in new and unexpected ways.  He signed up to serve his country. He was devoted to his God, his country, and his family. What I didn’t expect was how hard the long deployments would be on our marriage and family. Learning perseverance, patience, and grace took on a whole new meaning. During those times, I learned to run under the protection of the umbrella of grace. It was there I found the sufficiency of His strength, His protection, and His grace to persevere. We were given the strength of His grace in Christ Jesus.

What storms of trials are you facing today? Is it a health crisis, a relationship issue, loneliness, financial problems, or maybe you’re struggling to forgive someone? Don’t let trials and suffering throw you off course. Run to the shelter of the umbrella of grace; it is strong enough and sufficient to keep you and hold you through the storm.