Suffering For A Moment!^©

April 2008
By
Bob Allen 

....But, if we are to share His glory, we must also share His suffering.  Yet, what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will give us later.  Romans 8:17b-18 

Have you discovered that pain, problems and suffering have no manors and are no respecter of persons?   It's times like these that we find it easy to cry out to God asking Why?  What did I do?  Who's to blame?   Why is this terrible thing happening to me?   I'm just as good as the next person.  If God is a loving God, why would He allow such bad things to happen to me and my loved ones?   These questions often times can go unanswered.    

Oswald Chambers said, "To be able to explain suffering is the clearest indication of never having suffered." 

In Isaiah 55:8-9 we read, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are My ways your ways, for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts."   

In other words we can believe that God is working, allowing and accomplishing things we cannot even begin to see or understand.  The key is to remember who He is and not focus on what He is doing or the circumstances that we are facing at the time.  Circumstances can change but God never does. He is always good and loving by His nature.  There is no security in what God is doing there is only security in who God is.   

Jesus said, "In this world you will have the tribulation".   So why be surprised when it happens?   

Even Jesus experienced suffering.  Isn't it interesting that Jesus had to learn obedience through the things He suffered?  Who would have known that through his suffering and agony would come the redemption of humankind.  Jesus had a purpose in His suffering.   Redeeming and purchasing us for God was the joy set before Him.

God's will for Jesus suffering would also included the rejection of family and friends.  He would suffer aloneness, isolation, being misunderstood, and being oppressed.  Can you relate? 

Can you discover any purpose or meaning in your suffering?  Can you find a loving Father working all things out for His glory and your good?  Can you find His purposes through what He is allowing to happen to your life?  Maybe a new sensitivity that you've never had before.  Or a new fresh love for your spouse.  How about a new dependence upon the life of Christ in you?  A new joy and appreciation for your kids.   

Remember my dear friends that there are times when Father must allow us to experience some pain and suffering or unfortunate circumstances.  It makes us a more sensitive listener and learner.  It also teaches us to be humble, gentle and to live in daily dependence upon Christ living in us and through us.   

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