Suffering….Really??

Why suffering? Why heartache, pain, sickness, disease, death!

Why so much calamity, sadness, woes, natural disasters in this world?!

Why so much suffering in the life of a Saint if we have Jesus?

Why do God’s children have to endure hardships and persecution? Troubles and trials?

Isn’t our life supposed to be perfect since we found Jesus?? Isn’t it only the wicked who will suffer?

It would be nice if that was the case, but the Bible does not teach that.

In fact, Jesus said the opposite.

He said in Matthew 10:22 - And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake, but he that endures to the end shall be saved.

St. John 16:33 - These things have I spoken unto you, that in me, you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation, but be a good cheer, I have overcome the world.

How can we be of good cheer, or rejoice when we are in a trial, a battle, or when our heart is broken?

How can we smile through adversity and hardship? How can we let others know that Jesus is their hope, when we feel hopeless ourselves? How can we walk in victory if we feel like we are losing the battle?

Jesus said IN HIM, we might have peace. If we have been saved and Born again, we are baptized into Christ Jesus, and He is our Peace!!

The key word is MIGHT. He said in Him, we might have peace.

He is offering peace, it is available to us at all times, He is the Prince of Peace, but if we don’t accept his peace, then we have no joy, no rejoicing, no good cheer. Our life will continue to be in turmoil.

Feeling overwhelmed and grief. Feeling hopeless, and helpless, troubled, and anguish of soul and mind.

The Apostle Peter said 1 Peter 5:10 - But the God of all grace, Who has called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that you have suffered a while, make you perfect (complete), establish, strengthen, settle you….These four things happen through suffering…

Our God, Our Father, who is rich in mercy and grace, and has called us to obtain eternal life by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, after we have suffered a while, 1. He makes us complete, make us what we ought to be in Christ Jesus, purge us, test us, change us, that the flesh will die out, and we will walk more in the Spirit, because flesh cannot please God.

2. He will establish us, set us firm in Him, keep us in the right direction that leads to life eternal. 3. He will strengthen us, or confirm us in all spiritual knowledge and power. 4. He will settle us, keep us rooted and grounded in Him.

Paul said in Philippians 1:6 - Being confident of this very thing, that he which has begun a good work in you, is able to perform it, until the day of Jesus Christ.

Suffering, as Jesus suffered, will push us closer to Jesus or pull us away from him, the choice is ours.

But one thing I know is that Jesus has never failed me, and we can praise Him in this storm of life, rejoice and walk in peace, no matter what the situation, because we dwell in Him.

God bless.

Come join us at the Pearl of Great Price Tabernacle, 212 County Road 2232 in Douglassville. Our Sunday church service begins at 11 a.m. Call 430-342-4829 for prayer and any other information.