Suffering To the Glory of God
"Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy...Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him GLORIFY GOD in this matter." (1 Peter 4:12-13, 16)
Ever since the fall of man, we have been living in a broken, sin-infested world where there is much sorrow and suffering. Many times the suffering that comes into our lives comes unexpectedly and unwanted like an uninvited guest that we want to kick out the front door. Our flesh would much rather enjoy the comforts and pleasures of this life than to have to endure the hardships in this life. But suffering has its appointed place and anointed grace.
Whether the suffering was caused by us or by someone else or is the just the result of living in this fallen world, we must learn how to FACE it, EMBRACE it, and most importantly to ENDURE it with all longsuffering and obedience. This is what we see in the life of Jesus "who learned obedience by the things that He suffered (Heb. 5:8).
God understands our suffering and the desired result of sanctification that He wants to bring out of it. God uses suffering to reveal His divine attributes and to demonstrate His unfailing love. The Apostle Paul writes, "But God demonstrated His own love toward us, that while we were still sinners Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8).
Through the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, God turns our trials into triumphs and our seeming losses into His sure victories!
Consider all the forms of suffering have you gone through in your life. Are you presently going through suffering at this time? If yes, be a good steward of it. If not, know that it is coming and you want to be walking rightly with God when it comes.
Instead of complaining and moaning and groaning, it would be wise for us to start with remembering God's love and faithfulness and presence in our lives. He will never leave us nor forsake us and He actually draws near to the broken and contrite in spirit. In fact, God does some of His best work in the context of suffering.
Suffering reminds us that we need God and that we cannot handle all things on our own.
It relinquishes our grip and drives us to the place of absolute surrender and active dependence on the Spirit. The Apostle Peter says "For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings" (Heb. 2:10).
So the next time you are going through the fire, the waters, or the difficult trials of life, lift up your eyes to the heavens and remember where your help comes from. Our help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. If God can stretch out the heavens and make the entire universe, He can certainly bring you through your storm and make you stronger and more conformed to the image of Christ.
Isaiah the prophet says:
But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.
For I am the LORD your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior"
Suffering is real. Suffering is hard. But this too shall pass! And when it does, you will not be the same person. You will either become BITTER or BETTER. The difference is the letter "i". We must learn to deny the "I" and you will see that God is producing perseverance and character and hope in your life. The PAIN brings the GAIN and the gain is the GLORY!
"But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. TO HIM BE THE GLORY and the dominion forever and ever. Amen." (1 Peter 5:10-11)
Ever since the fall of man, we have been living in a broken, sin-infested world where there is much sorrow and suffering. Many times the suffering that comes into our lives comes unexpectedly and unwanted like an uninvited guest that we want to kick out the front door. Our flesh would much rather enjoy the comforts and pleasures of this life than to have to endure the hardships in this life. But suffering has its appointed place and anointed grace.
Whether the suffering was caused by us or by someone else or is the just the result of living in this fallen world, we must learn how to FACE it, EMBRACE it, and most importantly to ENDURE it with all longsuffering and obedience. This is what we see in the life of Jesus "who learned obedience by the things that He suffered (Heb. 5:8).
God understands our suffering and the desired result of sanctification that He wants to bring out of it. God uses suffering to reveal His divine attributes and to demonstrate His unfailing love. The Apostle Paul writes, "But God demonstrated His own love toward us, that while we were still sinners Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8).
Through the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, God turns our trials into triumphs and our seeming losses into His sure victories!
Consider all the forms of suffering have you gone through in your life. Are you presently going through suffering at this time? If yes, be a good steward of it. If not, know that it is coming and you want to be walking rightly with God when it comes.
Instead of complaining and moaning and groaning, it would be wise for us to start with remembering God's love and faithfulness and presence in our lives. He will never leave us nor forsake us and He actually draws near to the broken and contrite in spirit. In fact, God does some of His best work in the context of suffering.
Suffering reminds us that we need God and that we cannot handle all things on our own.
It relinquishes our grip and drives us to the place of absolute surrender and active dependence on the Spirit. The Apostle Peter says "For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings" (Heb. 2:10).
So the next time you are going through the fire, the waters, or the difficult trials of life, lift up your eyes to the heavens and remember where your help comes from. Our help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. If God can stretch out the heavens and make the entire universe, He can certainly bring you through your storm and make you stronger and more conformed to the image of Christ.
Isaiah the prophet says:
But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.
For I am the LORD your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior"
Suffering is real. Suffering is hard. But this too shall pass! And when it does, you will not be the same person. You will either become BITTER or BETTER. The difference is the letter "i". We must learn to deny the "I" and you will see that God is producing perseverance and character and hope in your life. The PAIN brings the GAIN and the gain is the GLORY!
"But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. TO HIM BE THE GLORY and the dominion forever and ever. Amen." (1 Peter 5:10-11)
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