Bible Reading: Romans 8:17-30
Suffering -- experiencing hard, sad, or painful events -- is something we all go through. While suffering isn't fun, it isn't punishment from God either.
Sometimes, suffering is simply a sad consequence of living in a world filled with sin and ruled by Satan. It is unrelated to God or to anything we have done. Nothing we have done, are doing, or might do in the future can cause or stop this type of suffering.
At other times, God allows or even causes pain in our lives. Why would a loving God allow things that hurt or sadden us to happen? There are many reasons.
First, God uses suffering to get our attention. Second, suffering helps us grow. Third, suffering helps us to learn to trust and depend on God. Fourth, suffering forces us turn to God for help. Fifth, suffering causes us to reach out to other people both to help them and to receive their help.
Probably the most important reason God allows or causes believers to experience suffering is that suffering is a Christian's privilege! Acts 5:41 tells us, "The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name." Philippians 1:29 says, "For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him." Jesus suffered. When we suffer, we are experiencing the same thing that our Lord and Savior experienced. We are given the same opportunity that Jesus had, the opportunity to choose. We can choose to grumble, complain, and use suffering as an excuse to get out of serving God, or we can choose to trust God with the outcome of our suffering and simply continue obeying and serving Him.
Down which path will you allow suffering to lead you?
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,* who* have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the honor of suffering like Jesus. Help me to keep my eyes on You and trust You to do what is best in my life. In Jesus' name. Amen.