Suffering

August 16th – 2 Corinthians 6:10

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2 Corinthians 6:10

There is no greater example of finding joy in the midst of suffering than the apostle Paul. He was rejected, beaten, stoned, deserted, shipwrecked, and imprisoned. Yet through it all, he rejoiced. For Paul was a servant of God, and he knew that the sufferings of this world are nothing compared to the joy awaiting him. (Romans 8:18) We too are servants of God. And as such, we can have that same deep and lasting joy during our greatest times of sorrow. How? By living our lives from an eternal perspective instead of a worldly one. An eternal perspective frees us from chasing fleeting pursuits of fame, fortune, and power.  Because through Christ, we have already everything we need and more. And an eternal perspective reminds us that we can endure anything because God’s Spirit dwells within us empowering, sustaining, and loving us every step of the way.

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August 15th – James 1:12

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James 1:12

It’s often our darkest times, that reveal our true feelings toward God. When trouble hits do we run to His open arms to receive His grace, love, and strength? Or do we let the Enemy plant seeds of discouragement, despair, and doubt in God’s goodness? For those who persevere in trials, who never give upon God no matter how bad the circumstance, He promises to give the crown of life. Five eternal crowns God offers. Rewards for His children who have been faithful throughout their lives. The crown of life is bestowed to those who love God. Those who believe in Him for eternal life, and who, in faithful obedience, keep His commandments; especially during suffering. So when the storms of life surround us, we can rejoice knowing the crown awaiting us. A crown that we will proudly lay at the feet of our Savior Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:2)

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2 Corinthians 1:5

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2 Corinthians 1:5

During times of trials, we tend to become self focused. We take the problem and wrap it around ourselves like a cocoon, becoming isolated our sorrow. And in our self pity all we can think about is ourselves, our pain, and why God allows our suffering. We cut ourselves off from others becoming cisterns instead of channels. But God in His infinite wisdom, knows the blessings of tribulations. He allows them our lives for a duel purpose. First, adversity deepens our relationship with the Lord as we learn to lean on and trust in Him. Second, adversity allows us to comfort and encourage others. It is only through experiencing our own pain that can we relate to the pain of others. And because of the comfort and grace shown to us, we can extend that same comfort and grace to others. God always stands by our side during even the darkest of times. So we can rejoice knowing He has given us the blessing of doing the same for others.

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August 10th – 1 Peter 4:14

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1 Peter 4:14

There is a quote by Dr. Charles Stanley that says, “Persecution can cause either growth or bitterness in the Christian life. It is our response that determines the outcome.” The early believers of the Asia Minor church were being persecuted because of their faith in Jesus. And now almost two thousand years later, Christians are still being persecuted. Following Jesus isn’t easy. And nowhere in the Bible does God say the life of a Christian will be smooth sailing. In fact He promises just the opposite. But we can let the trials of life make us bitter, or we can rejoice in the suffering we endure on behalf of Jesus. Bitterness turns us away from the Lord, and hardens our hearts. But joy reminds us that the Spirit of God dwells in us, and deepens our relationship with Him. And God promises that if we share in Christ’s sufferings, one day we will also share in His glory.

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June 15th – 1 Peter 4:13

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1 Peter 4:13

Jesus suffered greatly during His time on earth. He was ridiculed, scorned, beaten, tortured, and made to suffer a thief’s death. And as His followers, we too will face such suffering. For as Jesus tells us, “You will be hated by everyone because of My name…” (Matt. 10:28) And though no one likes hardship, Peter tells us not only to expect suffering, but to rejoice in it. For when we suffer because of our faith, we suffer for Christ as His body on earth. We rejoice knowing the privilege it is to share the suffering of our Savior who suffered so much for us. And as Paul reminds us, our momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal glory that is far beyond comparison. (2 Cor. 4:17) Jesus will soon be returning. And on that day, we can rejoice exceedingly when His glory is revealed to all!

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April 18th – Philippians 3:10

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Philippians 3:10

Jesus went to great pains to make Himself known to us. The Lord ministered, healed, suffered, and died so that we may intimately fellowship with Him. But what does it really mean to know Jesus? The apostle Paul tells us knowing Christ is more than just reading His story or hearing the gospel. It means walking in the power of his resurrection, and resting in His love during times of suffering. Knowing Jesus means letting the Holy Spirit work in our hearts and lives. For the Spirit equips us to serve God joyfully, hate sin increasingly, love others sacrificially, and follow Jesus freely.

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Keep Fervent in Your Love – 1 Peter 4

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1 Peter 4

Some people mistakenly believe that being a Christian gives you a “get out of jail free card” when it comes to the trials of life. But adversity is a result of living in a fallen world, and believers aren’t immune from the pain of suffering. And in this chapter, Peter tells us that as Christians not only are we not to be surprised when facing persecution, we are to rejoice when we suffer for our faith. …

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March 3rd – Revelation 21:4

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Revelation 21:4
Living in a fallen world comes with pain and suffering. Yet one day, for those who put their trust in God, never again will sorrow touch. For when we go to our forever home with Jesus, all we will know is eternal love, joy, and fellowship. No longer will we be subjected to pain, grief, sickness, or sin. Every tear will be wiped away, and never more will we feel the sting of agony. We will be transformed into the perfect beings God created us to be, and will spend eternity in His presence praising and worshipping our glorious Creator!

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November 8th – Hebrews 13:15

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Hebrews 13:15

Do you ever wonder what it means to offer up a “sacrifice of praise” to Jesus? When it comes to praise, it’s easy to rejoice and give thanks to God when we get what we want. But what about when we don’t? Do we still thank Him when His answer to prayer is no? Do we rejoice when we see another’s blessing while waiting on our own? To offer up a sacrifice of praise means, despite disappointment, to have a heart filled with gratitude and lips which speak words of thankfulness for the goodness, grace, and love of God.

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