Finding hope in suffering

-

… we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together (Rom. 8:17).

At no other time is the vanity of life more evident than during times of suffering. When we are hurting the unyielding weight of life presses most forcefully upon us seemingly mocking us at every turn. We find it easy to ignore the constant drone of life when we’re surrounded by loved ones, when we’re in great health, or when we kneel to receive the warm embrace of a child. But when we’re faced with loneliness, when we’re in pain, or when we long to feel the arms of our children encircle us, only then do we taste most deeply life’s bitterness.

How do we find comfort in the shadow of God’s dark providences? Some people try to find comfort in God while they deny that He is in control of their suffering. Others deny God’s existence altogether and resolve simply to face suffering with courage. Some find solace in denying the existence of pain. They believe pain is only a figment of their imagination. Too many today, even in the church, try to deal with suffering by channeling positive energies to counter the negative. They believe that if you just think positively everything will turn out for the best.

Methods such as these do not adequately deal with the reality of suffering or God’s relation to our pain. As a result, they do not offer lasting comfort to those who are going through difficult times. Only the Scriptures assure us that God is in control of everything—even our pain—and that He is working everything out according to His glorious purposes. God is not a weakling who is chained by the forces of darkness; nor is He a sadistic deity who delights in torturing His creatures. God is a wise and good God who molds us and shapes us through suffering. Paul said we share in the sufferings of Christ so that we will share in His glory. Suffering is inevitable because we have sinned against God. But God does not allow His children to be overcome; He uses our suffering to prepare us to be with Him. Suffering reminds us that this life is only temporary. It helps us to depend on God and to put our hope in Him. It humbles us for our sin and reminds us that we do not deserve God’s grace. And it helps us to sympathize with and serve others who are overwhelmed with pain and grief.

Many people deny God’s sovereignty because “their God doesn’t allow bad things to happen to good people.” What is wrong with this kind of thinking? What have been “bad” things in your life that you see now were part of God’s perfect plan? Thank Him today for being in control, and praise Him for His wisdom and goodness.

Popular posts from this blog

Speaking in tongues for today - Charles Stanley

-
Image
There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. … But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all. … And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. … Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way - 1 Corinthians 12:4, 7, 28, 30—31 The Lord Jesus Christ had come and gone. The church—newly birthed—was in a transition time. The new covenant was seen as a threat to the Jewish leaders; therefore, there was persecution for those who had chosen to follow Christ. The new religion, in its infant stages, had no Bible, few leaders, and absolutely no support from the government. Astounding that it survived, isn’t it?  How in the world did it survive with so little going for it? Power. Not just a force, but mighty, visible power. This new church
Read more

What is the glory (kabod) of God?

-
Image
2 CORINTHIANS 4:17 "This light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison." Scripture places a high value on God 's glory, and it is not hard to figure out why. Since the inherent glory of the Lord is something that He will not share with others (Isa. 42:8), we know that His glory is something that He prizes highly; indeed, He prizes it more highly than anything else. We should, therefore, set the glory of God as the goal and overarching emphasis of our lives. Whatever we lose for the sake of making the Lord's glory known will be worth it when we see the dazzling light and beauty of; the divine glory (28:5; Rev. 21:23). Glory has to do with light and beauty, but those aspects do not sum up what the Bible means when it speaks of the glory of God. Interestingly, the Hebrew word kabod , which is translated into English as "glory," has the root meaning of "weight" or "heaviness."
Read more

The Holy Spirit causes us to cry out: Abba, Father

-
Image
Pentecostés. Óleo sobre lienzo, 275 × 127 cm. Madrid, Museo del Prado. (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) To bring out the same truth in another way, Paul says God sent Jesus (as a Man) to live under the Law in order “to redeem those under law, that we [Jews and Gentiles ] might receive the full rights [adoption] of sons” ( Galatians 4:5).  By “full rights” or “adoption” he means entering into the privileges and responsibilities of sonship. He uses it also of the sonship of Israel (Romans 9:4). Galatians 4:1, 2 indicate that the son and heir of a wealthy family in Paul’s day would be treated as a slave until he became of age.  Then he would receive the adoption, that is, all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities that belonged to an adult member of that family. Adoption was also used in the modern sense, so that Gentiles who were not sons of Abraham became true heirs, true sons of God , by faith.  Jesus died, not just to save us from the fires of hell, but to make it p
Read more