Suffering
Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could go through life without difficulty or struggles? No pain, no suffering, no tears or heartache. I would love to give that promise to everyone but it would be untrue. The good news is, we have a promise of this future in eternity with Christ. We also have some great promises to stand on while we are temporarily stationed on the earth. God doesn't delight in seeing us suffer, however, like a good father, He knows when we go through trials, it makes us stronger! Parent's don't enjoy seeing their children go through pain or rough times at school or struggle with something, but we do all we can while allowing them to mature and grow. If we never stopped cuddling them and carrying them from infancy, they would never learn to walk. Do they fall and get hurt sometimes? Of course, but we aren't being cruel to allow this temporary pain. We know it will cause them to increase their strength and become more independent.
When our children are in some kind of trouble that we are able to rescue them from, we come running to them and leave everything else behind. That's how it is with God. He loves us dearly and seeks for a great relationship with us, but I often see others blaming God for their misfortunes. If you press into what He has promised you in the scriptures and seek His face rather than His hand, you will absolutely see a turnaround in your situation and your focus will no longer remain on yourself. Keep your eyes on Jesus and He will take care of you.
1 Peter 5:9-10 (AMPC) Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset-rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same (identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you.
Romans 8:18 (AMPC) For I consider that the sufferings of this present time (this present life) are not worth being compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us for us and conferred on us!
Psalm 34:19 (VOICE) Hard times may well be the plight of the righteous- they may often seem overwhelmed- but the Eternal rescues the righteous from what oppresses them.
Romans 8:35 (VOICE) So who can separate us? What can come between us and the love of God's Anointed? Can troubles, hardships, persecution, hunger, poverty, danger, or even death? The answer is, absolutely nothing.
