"I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will have pain, but your pain will turn to joy. When a woman is in labor, she has pain, because her hour has come. But when her child is born, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy of having brought a human being into the world. So you have pain now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you." - John 16:20-22
Suffering.
It's a complete mystery.
Unfortunately, it's an inevitable part of life and often times have little to no control over it.
It's how we respond that makes the difference.
I've been experience severe back pain, among other pain as well. I've been pretty miserable all weekend, but tried to see the positive throughout the weekend.
For example, the sun finally was shining on Saturday and it was 60 degrees here in Indiana!
That rarely happens in January!
Positive!!
I've been reading a book called "Rediscover Jesus" and the chapter I came across tonight was "Making Sense of Suffering."
The world views suffering as worthless. In the Old Testament, suffering was viewed as a consequence of sin. However, in the New Testament, through His words and actions, Jesus exclaims that suffering has VALUE.
Suffering is a tool in this life that can transform us into loving people.
Many of us have heard the term, "Offer it up!"
I used to hate hearing those 3 words. But after reading this chapter tonight and reflecting on a few verses from Scriptures, offering it up has a whole new meaning to me.
Scripture encourages us to offer everything that happens in our day in prayer to God.
Joys and suffering.
In doing so, suffering becomes a very powerful prayer and eventually that prayer will fill us with a deep peace within ourselves.
"If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their crosses daily and follow me." - Luke 9:23
Each day, we are given a cross to bear. There are times it can be the same cross for a long period of time. Other times, it can be a different cross to bear each day.
What we choose to do with that cross makes a difference.
By choosing to accept that cross to bear and carrying it, we are turning our worthless suffering into value.
The best part is, Christ wants to help us carry our cross. We are NEVER alone!
With that in my heart tonight, it's amazing the peace I feel even though my back still hurts.
But I've chosen to bear this suffering and carry my cross, knowing that through Christ, I will find strength to do so.
Suffering will lead us to grow in our faith.
Are you ready to turn suffering from worthless to value?
What cross are you having to bear right now?
Do you accept it?
Are you going to carry it, knowing Christ will help you?
"We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope." - Romans 5:3-4
Job is the greatest example of suffering! JOB has everything in life that a man could ever want and dream of and then Satan goes to heaven and tells God that the only reason JOB is a true follower of God is that God has given him everything he wants. So God agrees to let Satan torment him. During this torment, JOB experiences complete loss in his life. He experiences the most extreme of suffering in every aspect of one’s life. During this suffering, he never waivers in his faith and offers his suffering to God. Then JOB’s friends test his devotion. JOBs wife encourages JOB to curse God. Job eventually struggles with everything that has happened to him but JOB never completely waivers. JOB begins to wonder why the wicked people prosper and the followers suffer.
ReplyDeleteEventually, God comes to JOB and shows JOB the true extent of God's power. Job answers the questions God has for him and God is pleased with JOBs answers. JOB even asks God to forgive his friends for their lack of knowledge, wisdom and faith in God.
Job is then rewarded with his full health, double the possessions prior to his suffering and a very long prosperous life with new children.
The book of JOB offers great wisdom on our suffering and God's purpose in our lives. If we open our hearts and listen and offer up our suffering to God and never waiver in our faith, we will be rewarded two fold!
My father has always told me, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." It isn't always easy maintain a positive and happy attitude when we are given the sourest of lemons. But then again, those make the best lemonade!
I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it some day for a crown.
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