What Good Can Come From Suffering?

Suffering...

I talk to many on a daily basis who have been or are walking through some very painful hardships.  We all have a story. No one is untouched by some form of suffering. Some have endured the death of a spouse, child, friend or parent, terrible illness, financial ruin, betrayal, depression, anxiety, divorce and so many others I could list. It is a word we do not like to hear or talk about. It is painful to say the least. If no one has acknowledged your suffering and pain, allow me to say with all sincerity of heart, I am truly sorry for what you are going through or have been through. I am extending a virtual hug and acknowledgement that the "struggle is real" I get it.

Suffering is not fair and we will never make logical sense out of it.

 We are tempted to ask "Why me?" "I do not deserve this" "What did I do to deserve this?" 

I have had my share of sufferings and I have thought some of those very things I just stated.  I have also felt abandoned at times. I felt I would never make it or recover. There were moments I did not even want to make it because the pain was so deep and all consuming.  Discouragement sets in. Despair. Life becomes a huge effort just to make it through the day. Suffering is real and it is painful.

 BUT...

 

there is HOPE!  I want to ENCOURAGE you today. I do not know if you are right in the heat of your trial, just coming out or going in. I am here to remind you that there is light at the end of the tunnel. There IS purpose that will come out of our suffering IF we allow it to have its perfect work in us. 

Romans 5:3-4

" We know that sufferings produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, HOPE."

 And Jesus said:

John 16:33
³³ I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]

What HOPE!! Jesus told us that we would have trials and troubles BUT He also promised His PEACE. I love that He warned us ahead of time don't you? Thank God we can be confident and undaunted because HE has overcome it ALL! It is through HIM we will make it. It is because of HIM we can be courageous and be filled with joy! This verse comforts me in the way that I know my suffering is not because I am a bad person or being punished. I share in His sufferings as well as in His VICTORY!!! That is hope my friend. John 10:10 reminds us " The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]."

In every situation that presents itself to us, you and I have a CHOICE. Will this destroy me? Will this define me? Give up? Sink? Swim? Bitter? Better? Destroyed? Strengthened? Defeated? Victorious? Or we can choose to say, I will make it through this somehow! I will trust God even when I do not understand. God will turn this around for my good and His Glory.  My pain will NOT be wasted!  What you cannot see now, God is molding you, pruning you, healing, restoring and rebuilding the ruins. What was meant to destroy you is actually strengthening you  This is part of the journey. Hold on! Keep moving forward one step at a time.He makes all things new in His time.  I love how Joyce Meyer puts it "We cannot always choose what our circumstances will be, but we can choose how we will respond to them." AMEN!

The God of All Comfort!

^"3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. " 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Our suffering allows us to become a RESOURCE of HOPE & COMFORT!  Out of our own pain we can encourage and give hope to others.  There are so many precious people around us that need our help. Who better than me or you? 

" The stability and strength we gain in trouble can be passed on to others." (GOW)

Give to others what you need.  Offer the word of encouragement you need. Share your story. Cry together. Pray together. Listen. Don't judge. Show compassion. Extend kindness. You may not have experienced the same as someone else, BUT you have experienced suffering. Extend grace, love and hope.  We ALL need to be that source of comfort and hope to those around us. I promise you when you pour into others in the midst of your suffering, God will pour back into ALL that you need!

Final thought...

We have purpose. We have an assignment from God to fulfill here on earth. We have been given a divine destiny.  Everything we go through needs to become our platform to reach others. Our mess needs to become our message. We will not be the same person when we come out of the fire!  Job said in chapter 23 verse 10 : "But He knows the way I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as GOLD." I love this verse. I am coming out! And when I do I will be like gold!  IF we embrace the process and learn to TRUST God completely, we are promised victory!

 "An active trust comes only through absolute obedience to His will"(GW)  

When Paul was in chains he said "...Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance." Philippians 1:18-19

I challenge you today, in the midst of your circumstances to seek God like never before. Get into His word. Hide it in your heart. Let it transform your mind and your spirit. Keep moving forward. Pour out your heart to Him. Stay connected to your church family. If you do not have a church, find one that is rooted in the Word of God and Salvation through Jesus Christ. Spirit filled!

Do not go by your feelings and emotions. Walk by FAITH. Hold onto the TRUTH and reject the lies! Worship and praise Him NOW! Allow Jesus to have His perfect work in you. It is NOT over! Do not judge the future God has for you by what you see today! God cares. God sees and God IS working in your life this very moment. Nothing is wasted when we entrust our hurts, hangups and pain to Him. You are loved. You are a treasure. 

You are going to make it!!!

"Faith serves God in the midst of mystery, in the midst of not knowing. Our faith must be anchored in God, and we must trust Him. Because our faith is based on the solid Rock, we can weather the times when we have many questions." (GOW)

Believing God and standing for you,

Robin