When Suffering Comes
When Suffering Comes Knocking at Your Door
Have you ever heard someone say, “If this is a test, I’d rather take the written”?
Yes, that was me (and too many others to count).
Every once in awhile, life can throw you a curveball.
Something really surreal or challenging is thrown in your direction (like a curveball) and you wonder if God is watching and will respond.
Child of God – He is and He will.
We may not like what’s going on, but God’s timing is always perfect.
Trust God when life (or even people) let you down.
Satan will use “people” to do his dirty work here on earth.
Look at how far our country has fallen in a matter of a few years.
Even with that heartbreak, as Christians, we know that ultimately, the Adversary . . . doesn’t . . . win.
Stand firm in the truths that God gives us in His Word.
One thing that’s helpful is to look back and remember every time God has carried you through past challenges.
Remember how happy you felt when a particular problem was resolved, or how your faith grew even stronger?
We are never promised tomorrow, but when tomorrow comes, it is a new day to strengthen your trust in the Lord.
I’ve been there – from dealing with a frustration(s) to having complete joy in God’s timing.
You and I can remember who we are in Christ and these obstacles are only temporary.
13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of the promise, 14 who is a first installment of our inheritance, in regard to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. – Ephesians 1:13-14, (NASB).1
How beautiful is that passage from God’s Word!
The Apostle Paul assured the Ephesians of their inheritance as believers.
An “inheritance” is a guarantee.
Likewise, as believers today, we inherit God’s promises as well.
It’s through the gift of Jesus Christ that our Sovereign God has given us the final victory.
To Him be the glory!
When Suffering Comes, Pray!
In the midst of life’s challenges, we can be so wrapped up in our suffering, we can forget to pray.
Turning to God’s Word, what does the Bible say about this?
For one thing . . .
Suffering produces endurance
Endurance means you have “staying power.”
Pray for staying power!
God will carry you through.
When suffering comes, and it will, perspective is everything. The question is, how will we respond?
We may suffer briefly, or all our lives. But let us not give up hope or engage in self-pity or bitterness. The end-result is what we all look forward to. Being with the Lord in heaven will put all things into perspective! – Bible.org.2
Seeing Beyond Your Suffering
When suffering comes of any kind, our weaknesses and doubts may resurface.
Never doubt God’s love for you!
A long, long time ago, God sent His Son Jesus to earth – as a baby born in a manger so that, at the appointed time, He would grow up to save us from our sins.
In the meantime, keep your eyes on Him, no matter what happens.
Trust
Until I learned to trust,
I did not learn to pray,
And I did not learn to fully trust
Till sorrows came my way.
Until I felt my weakness,
His strength I never knew,
Nor dreamed till I was stricken
That He would see me through.
Who deepest drinks of sorrow
Drinks deepest too of grace,
He sends the storm so He himself,
Can be our hiding place.
His heart that seeks our highest good
Knows well when things annoy,
We would not long for heaven
If earth held only joy.
Author unknown
1 Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.
2 Bible.org quotation is from “Reasons for Human Suffering” February 2, 2009. Web. Accessed September 14, 2023. Retrieved from https://bible.org/illustration/reasons-human-suffering
