Well, my loved ones, there is so much hope and grace in God’s word.  We can always focus on the good things God has for us and all the promises He has given us.  This is where we want to dwell; this is our safe spot.  But…God wants to grow us up into Him.  To do this, He must bring some things into our circumstances that will show us who we are and how we need to change to come into the full knowledge and grace of God. 

What did Jesus suffer?  He suffered trials, temptations, rudeness, man’s anger toward Him, jealousy, hate, beatings, threats against His life, and eventually His human life was taken by an untimely and painful death.  Why did the Son of God have to suffer all of this when He was perfect and sinless and fully deserved only grace, and mercy, only joy and acceptance; He deserved the best of God and the best that humankind could provide.  That is not what He received in the 33 years He lived on the earth.  He is our example…so if He must suffer then shouldn't we expect suffering to enter our lives. But we always seem a bit shocked. After all, we are God's children! Shouldn't we be free of suffering? Who is our example?

Hebrews 2:10 In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. NIV

1 Peter 4:19 So then, those who suffer according to God's should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. NIV

There are so many scriptures about loving your enemies, scriptures about how we should respond to those whose sin causes us pain and suffering. Scripture teaches us that we should forgive them and spread His love to everyone, even those who hurt us. God is using these people for our good. I want you to know that everything that comes into your life comes to help you develop into the person God wants you to be.  Are you weak in faith?  God will give you lots of opportunity to grow in faith.  Are you weak in patience?  God will give you lots of opportunities to grow your patience.  Are you quick to anger?  God will give you lots of opportunities to help you reign it in…eventually you will realize it hurts you and everyone around you and you will change.

How can you apply this little teaching on SUFFERING?  You can evaluate your own spiritual growth and your struggles, then accept the things that come into your life as God’s way of teaching you to be whom He wants you to be.  He knows you intimately and loves you without reserve, allow Him to use your suffering to grow you up so He can use you in amazing ways.  He is Love.

You Are Loved, MJ Gillespie