Many times as Christians we wonder why we suffer. We do our best to lead a Godly life and to submit to His ways. Sometimes along the way we encounter suffering. We ask God why? Why me? Why now? What is God doing?
We as Christians are called to a life of suffering. These experiences are teaching tools God uses to strengthen us and give us perseverance. (Romans 5:3) It also teaches us to endure with patience, increase our faith, trust God, and leads us to depend on God and his word.
This is a fallen world and the hearts of men are full of sin. God is teaching us to rely on Him and not the resources the world has to offer. Sometimes as Christians, we constantly battle our cultures and society. We struggle sometimes with the ways of the world, what our friends and family think, or how the world perceives us. Many Christians forget that they are not part of this world. Rather we are new creations in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Sometimes it’s just our own foolishness. (Gal 6:7-9) We make ungodly choices knowing in our hearts that they are wrong. Then we have to suffer consequences. Suffering is God’s way of maturing and disciplining His people. (Heb 12:6) We learn from those mistakes and we become stronger in Him.
Maybe God just wants to get your attention. We may have strayed away from the calling He has placed on our lives and He is calling us back. He has a purpose for us.
We suffer persecution because of our faith. (2 Tim 3:12) Christians are identified with Christ because of their suffering. We know that when we do what God calls us to do we are blessed. The same is said for suffering. When we suffer through situations, our God will not forget us. He suffers with us, he encourages us, and he rewards us. (Isaiah 41:13)
The real test, ultimately, is how we handle things later. Paul says he does not focus on the now but on the future. It is hard to think about the future when your now is so full of pain. It strengthens our testimony. You can help someone in a similar circumstance.
Remember the path to glory for Jesus was a path of pain and suffering. Jesus endured suffering and pain. He did it without sinning, without complaining, and with perfect patience. Jesus is the perfect example of how to respond to our suffering. (1 Peter 2:21)
1 Peter 4:11-13
Psalm 119:49-51
2 Timothy 2:12
Daughter of Destiny
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