Suffering

11/08/12 Suffering is a gift! I know this sounds unusual, perhaps even strange, but it’s true. Listen to Phil.1:29 – “For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.” God has granted or given you the gifts not only of faith (believe) but also to suffer. Suffering is a gift that no one wants but one we all need. And when we suffer we are to suffer for His glory (His sake). Suffering comes from either our sin or someone else’s sin but all of us experience it. But make no mistake about it – all suffering is filtered through the hands of the God who loved you enough to send His Son to suffer and die for you. So when suffering comes how should you respond so that God is glorified and you get the blessing of this unwanted gift? A glance at how Paul responded is helpful. Paul’s sufferings were to numerous for me to list in this article but they were more than we will ever experience. Yet listen to what he said the believers in Corinth. “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” (2 Cor.4:17) Paul referred to his suffering (affliction) as ‘light’ and ‘momentary’ because he compared it to eternity. And he knew that what God was ‘working’ through his suffering was an eternal weight of glory. Again hear the apostle when he says that God has adopted them as His children “ and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Rom.8:17-18) God has assured Paul and us that whatever suffering we endure will not be wasted. And no amount of suffering can be compared with what awaits us when we meant Christ face to face. We will experience pain and sorrow in this world until we are in the presence of Christ. But knowing that all of the suffering we may be required to endure is seen and will be rewarded by the One who suffered once and for all helps us suffer in a manner that is pleasing to our Savior. In fact if we will keep our focus on eternity whatever amount of suffering comes our way cannot be compared to the glory that will be revealed in us. When God gives you this gift receive it with joy because God is preparing you for glory! Prayer: Father, help me to guard my heart and keep my focus on You. Grant me the grace to live for Your glory even if I must suffer. In Jesus name, amen.