We all suffer for one reason or another. Sometimes, suffering can be self-inflicted or sometimes one may suffer from the hands of others due to differing viewpoints. Believers need to determine why they must suffer.
One may suffer because of his position or disposition. Because of conscience toward God, one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. Suffering is often a 2 sided coin. It may be viewed, on one side, uses by God to bring out the best in us, but on the other side, Satan may use it to bring out the worst of us. It seems like a battle.
There are different ways a believer may react to suffering, below are some possible responses.
1. Despise it, treat it too lightly.
2. Faint under it, that is, treat it too seriously
3. To be exercised by it, that is, receive instruction from it. This is the reaction desired by God. A simple prayer a believer can do: Lord, I am committing my pain and suffering to you, realizing & believing He is faithful to work out all things for our good and God’s glory.
Apostle James tells us to count it all joy when we experience these dark hours. However, when you are in the midst of suffering, we are not alone. God is with us. He is always comforting us : "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27). We may toggle with the above 3 different type of responses. Ultimately may the Holy Spirit achieves what it want to accomplish in us. The whole experience will also help us to understand and emphathize with the one who suffers and equip us better for the work of ministry.
One may suffer because of his position or disposition. Because of conscience toward God, one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. Suffering is often a 2 sided coin. It may be viewed, on one side, uses by God to bring out the best in us, but on the other side, Satan may use it to bring out the worst of us. It seems like a battle.
There are different ways a believer may react to suffering, below are some possible responses.
1. Despise it, treat it too lightly.
2. Faint under it, that is, treat it too seriously
3. To be exercised by it, that is, receive instruction from it. This is the reaction desired by God. A simple prayer a believer can do: Lord, I am committing my pain and suffering to you, realizing & believing He is faithful to work out all things for our good and God’s glory.
Apostle James tells us to count it all joy when we experience these dark hours. However, when you are in the midst of suffering, we are not alone. God is with us. He is always comforting us : "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27). We may toggle with the above 3 different type of responses. Ultimately may the Holy Spirit achieves what it want to accomplish in us. The whole experience will also help us to understand and emphathize with the one who suffers and equip us better for the work of ministry.
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