That undesirable, unwanted exposure to situations and circumstances that pre-disposes us to feelings of pain, distress, agony and tears. We’re definitely always on a look out to its ending though seemingly longer than we’re able to bear.
Suffering irrespective of the type, magnitude are never appealing but appalling. yet when we study the scriptures we find out that God uses an atmosphere of suffering (Philippians 1:29).
But how can this be true ? How can a loving God be interested in his children passing through a phase that causes them so much pain and agony?
Take a moment to take a deep breath as you stretch your hand for a walk with God as he unveils the mystery of his interest in sufferings.
Isaiah 48:10 If we take a close look at this scripture with divine understanding we see that the Almighty himself vocalized that he chose not to refine you and I with silver, golden vessels and all fullness, but IN THE FURNACE OF AFFLICTION.
Luke 2:16 told us how Jesus, the Word of God in a person was born and laid in a manger-a trough for animals to feed in, as ordained by God. He could have been born in the house of Caesar Augustus, Cyrenius or Herod. But remember he had a worst birth history than you and I, yet the Lord.
Why did God have to ask Abram to get out of a comfortable place and blindly move to a land of nowhere? No sort of insurance, sustenance or hope. What greater suffering would you envisage?
Apostle Paul, a staunch follower of Christ and preacher was not only exposed to diverse sufferings but understanding the greater glory that succeeds sufferings, he made his boastings in his sufferings (2 Corinthians 11:16-33). What an awareness!
Job was a just, devout, perfect, and upright man. He feared God, he abhorred evil yet the Lord passed him truly through the furnace of affliction (Job 1, 2).
We often see sufferings as the end of the road but to God it is the beginning of a new birth of glory and destiny.
He encourages us to endure whatever sufferings we’re faced with because of the treasures unseen buried in those sufferings (2 Timothy 2:3, 1 Peter 2:20).
Treasures Buried In Sufferings :
Patience / Endurance: God uses tough situations to stretch his children and build a long elastic feature in them (James 5:11).
Experience / Character: In sufferings, He builds in us character- an approved faith and tried integrity (Genesis 18:19, Hebrews 2:18).
Hope: In sufferings our confidence is built (Daniel 3:17, Heb. 10:35).
Glory: The direct of the ha2 Corinthians 4:17, Roman 8:18, 1 Peter 4:13
Absolute faith and trust in God: Gen. 15:6
Humility: Dan. 4:33-37
Grace: During the period of suffering, we receive the greatest grace (2 Cor. 12:7-9).
Constant and fervent prayer life: In quest of seeking freedom from sufferings, we pray often James 5:13-16, Psalm 118:5, 116:3
Ruggedness / Toughness: Dan. 3:14-21
Assurance of origin: Gen. 14:23
The kingdom of God: You must strive to enter it. Entrance has never been a case of milk and honey (Acts 14:22).
God needs us to possess the right mindset and attitude while we go through the different distressing situations.
If it be his will that we pass through those moments then be assured that it will work out a more exceeding weight of glory. You have his promise when your patience is fulfilled (Heb. 10:36).
Having the right mindset will determine the outcome of your sufferings.
The famous Jack Ma of China, founder of Alibaba group is a typical instance. He had it hard in life to be where he is today. A true rags-to-riches story. Rejections were synonymous to him. Overcoming the pain of rejections and treating rejections as opportunities to learn and grow was what Jack Ma made of it and today you know the rest of his story.
If God is in the phase of suffering with you, take it as an opportunity to dig out as much treasures as you can.
