Taking It to Work:
One of the most common questions, from believers and non-believers alike, is, “Why does a loving God allow suffering?” There is a Biblical answer to that, but it can be very hard to hear, especially if you are in the midst of some kind of suffering that seems out of your control.
We might not wish it to be so, but the Scriptural truth is, easy lives do not yield strong followers of Christ. Many of our challenges are there for eternal reasons. The worst challenges in life build in us in a ways that no other circumstances can. We may question God in the midst of them. We may work as hard as we can to avoid them, and we may see no earthly good while we are going through them, but when they finally pass, we are stronger because of them.
If we understand Romans 8:28, and we truly believe what Paul is telling us, we will concentrate on what God is doing in us, not to us. Instead of letting our hearts become hardened from the trial, and because we already know the depth of His love for us, we won’t buy the lie that God doesn’t care. That matter was clearly settled at the cross.
There is an old saying, “The same oven that hardens the clay, purifies the gold.”
The truth of Scripture, and what we have to keep top-of-mind, is that we are being purified, shaped, formed, taught and trained. As much as we hate them, those challenges, if we don’t let them harden us, are what in the end, will bring us into the image of our Lord. We will become what God created us to be, but not without the pain of trial.
Remember, the Almighty himself when He entered His creation as Jesus, did not spare even Himself of suffering. In God’s eyes, so much in suffering is redemptive and edifying in the end.
Now, I can’t pretend to know what He is bringing you through right now, but I do know, if you love Him and are called to His purpose, and even if some of that suffering is from your own hand, He promises to use it for good in the end.
Hang in there; we are here for the long haul. As hard as it is, commit yourself to your faithful creator, continue to do good, and let His Word, and every trial that comes your way, work in you, today.
2Cor 4:16-17 (ESV) – Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory…
Phil 4:11-12 (ESV) – Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
Rom 8:28 (ESV) – And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
James 1:2-4 (ESV) – Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
1 Peter 4:19 (ESV) – Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
Listening to the Holy Spirit:
You are meant for eternity. Many a load I will give to you, many will not pass quickly. Time has less bearing than the training from the trial. My heart does not rejoice in your suffering, but in the strength gained there is great joy. Many a load I will not lift, and he who carries will not die, but gain. All is measured by My hand. Strength gained, and strength given through the asking, are the great rewards of trial. When the test ends, the strength of the man remains. The troubles of life ebb and flow. With My Word placed firmly, and with petition, you build an eternal strength. Do not curse the training, for the runner curses not the track, and he who desires strength curses not the weight – for it is the challenge that brings the gain. Embrace the long difficulties; I have given them that you would know lasting strength, and My presence and power along its path.
