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1998-01-02 - Suffering
I was wondering what I should write on at the first of the year, and I wanted
it to be a subject that many of us deal with. So I prayed for God to give
me a subject, and I feel led to speak about suffering. No I didn't hear an
audible voice. But this is what came to mind. So for the next two weeks,
we will look at suffering.
Sometimes we seem to have the idea that if we are suffering, if things are
not going smoothly for us, we are not in God's will. In actuality, the opposite
is often true. Sometimes God lets us go through trials in order to teach
us, to refine us, to strengthen us.
(Rom 5:3-5 NRSV) And not only that, but we also boast
in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance
produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint
us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit
that has been given to us."
Some suffering is simply a result of living in a fallen world. As long as
we live on this Earth, we will encounter illness, physical and emotional
pain, financial distress, etc. Only in Heaven will there be no suffering at
all.
Some suffering is brought on by our own mistakes and sins. For example, unwise
financial decisions may put is in debt. Drinking excessively - or at all
if we have a family history of alcoholism - can lead us into addiction. Sometimes
people too quickly blame satan for financial problems, work problems, marriage
problems, and the like. Sometimes he is the cause. But often, it's easier
to blame satan than to admit to our own responsibility or do the hard work
required, in order to overcome the problem. Blaming everything on satan is
heretical theology; the Bible never says that.
However, some suffering is inflicted by Satan, in hopes of discouraging us
and leading us off the difficult, narrow path. If we are trying to do things
God's way, the evil one certainly isn't going to make things easy for us,
is he! Sometimes we underestimate Satan's power.
The Bible tells us that we should expect difficulties. Jesus was unequivocal
about this. He didn't say, "you may have trials and sorrows." He didn't say,
"if you stray off the right path you will have trials and sorrows." Nope.
He says "You will have many trials and sorrows."
(John 16:33 NLT) I have told you all this so that you
may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.
But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
(1 Pet 4:12-13 NLT) Dear friends, don't be surprised
at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening
to you. 13 Instead, be very glad--because these trials will make you partners
with Christ in his suffering, and afterward you will have the wonderful joy
of sharing his glory when it is displayed to all the world.
So how are we to deal with them? A friend of mine taught me to ask God in
every situation - what we consider good, or bad - "What can I learn from
this?" A professor of mine told us that we learn more from our failures than
from our successes.
In addition, we are to thank in the midst of the situation.
(1 Th 5:18 NLT) No matter what happens, always be thankful,
for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Paul didn't say "if things are going your way, be thankful." He said "no
matter what happens," be thankful.
Next week, we will continue our look at suffering. I hope you all have a
blessed weekend.
Jan |