Suffering is painful! Frankly, none of us choose to get in the suffering line. We want the "easy line," the "life is sweet line," the "health, wealth and prosperity line." While we may know it is not a reality, we still would prefer the easy line.
While I don't like suffering, I take comfort in knowing that God's greatest have suffered for Him. I am trying to grow in the grace of viewing my suffering as a tool that will make me stronger for God. I know the scripture informs me that God will be with me, He will not forsake me and I can endure in victory.
Sometimes I suffer because of my own foolishness. At that moment, I deserve the suffering! However, I am asking for God's sustaining strength for the times I must suffer for no apparent reason or, more importantly, for Him. I am choosing to take the attitude of Christ and be thankful in all things.
How is your suffering attitude? What is your suffering teaching you? How have you grown through your suffering? Are you willing to continue suffering for Jesus?
God bless you,
PJ
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One of Satan's tools against me is the subject of suffering. In my opinion, suffering is something I don't endure for Christ. I live in America the land of plenty. I have so much and just live day to day in the blissful ignorance of what true suffering is. I see others who are ill, injured or abused, but this is just a part of life and while I believe this is suffering, it isn't suffering because of the name of Jesus.
ReplyDeleteI believe there are two kinds of suffering that God has promised to help me through.
The first is the daily suffering of having to live in an imperfect world full of strife, sickness, and sometimes pain. It is a part of this old world I live in. While, God can and does keep me from some of this, it is part of life. Sometimes I bring this type of suffering on myself by my actions and sometimes it just happens. Again, this is an imperfect world full of all kind of imperfection. It gives me incentive to live for Jesus so I can go to Heaven and be with Him in a perfect place. He has promised to be with me through this kind of suffering.
Then there is the 2nd type of suffering. The suffering of the followers of Jesus because of their faith in Christ. Some of this occurs here in my country and surroundings, but not like in other countries where people are dying for their faith. I am humbled to think that God put me in the land of plenty and freedom. I must stand firm in my faith and lift my brothers and sisters who are suffering for their faith. God sees the suffering of His people counting each tear. Do I shed enough tears for Jesus.
Suffering is something I also would rather not face. But, I feel that I get even closer to God as I seek His word as to what is needed to be done as I endure. I shed tears of sadness and joy as I pray that my brothers and sisters in Christ suffer for teaching, witnessing and tell ing of God's word in hostile, unreceptive places in this world. Suffering is that, a way to remind us, that we need Christ, without Him we no not what road, route or place in this life.
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