Coffee Break: "Suffering"

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

"Suffering"

"For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds." Hebrews 12:3

There is a teaching that says Christians won't ever suffer. This just simply is not true. We will at times suffer. We suffer mostly because we live in a "fallen" world- a world that is tainted by sin. We suffer because of bad/evil choices that we make and are reaping the consequences. We suffer because we have an adversary who is out to steal, kill and destroy us.

Consider this, Jesus suffered. He suffered for the sins of mankind. But He also suffered hunger and thirst, and He suffered at the hands of persecutors. And He said to us, "The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you." (John 15:20)

When you are "suffering" through trials, persecutions, temptations, etc. keep in mind that it is working in you a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. It is working a grace in you that can only come one way-- through suffering. It will help make you perfect, established, strengthened and settled. "After that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you." (1 Peter 5:10)

It is only when wood is burned that it puts forth heat and light. It is only when the caterpillar goes through the isolation of the cocoon that it is transformed into a butterfly. It is only when coal is placed under tremendous pressure that it becomes a diamond. And it is through suffering that we learn obedience, trust, our faith is strengthen, we are humbled, and we become spiritually mature. Suffering plays a major role in our journey to Christian maturity. Let it accomplish its work in you. Embrace what is it doing and remember that you aren't alone. Jesus is with you. He has already walked through it Himself, therefore, He knows what you are going through.

Have a great day. Don't despise suffering. Embrace its work because it plays a valuable role in your spiritual growth.

For further reading:
2 Corinthians 4:17
Hebrews 5:8; 4:15
Isaiah 55:3
2 Timothy 3:12

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