On Suffering
"If God is good, then why are good people made to suffer?" It's a common enough question, one that you've probably heard, or even asked in your lifetime. There are even some Christians who believe that if you are unhappy, or are experiencing some sort of suffering, it is because your walk with God is somehow lacking. If everything is not going well for you, then you must be doing something wrong. This is a rather unrealistic notion, and one that is certianly not backed up by scripture. In fact, Christ warned that to live the Christian life is to know suffering. In fact, if the One who lived a perfect life, Christ, had to suffer, why should we then expect that our life should be one of ease?
There are countless examples of faithful servants of God who experienced suffering in their life. Possibly the most obvious of these is Job. God was very pleased with Job, but still allowed terrible suffering to test this devout man. Is this because God is thoughtless, uncaring or cruel? Certianly not. As Christians, we can take comfort in the knowledge that while we may suffer, our suffering is never without purpose. Suffering helps us to mature in our walk, come to a deeper understanding of Christ's suffering, and counsel others who also suffer.
But the unhappiness that suffering brings need not rob us of the peace of God. Even in the midst of frightful heartache, one can find some comfort in one's faith. Even I at times, as the tears rolled down my face, was strengthened by the knowledge that God can take bad times, even those brought on by my own sin, and turn them into something good and beautiful so that I may learn and grow even closer to Him. While this knowledge didn't necessarily erase the mourning, it did give me hope that the days of sadness would pass, and there would be something worthwhile left when they did.
The apostle Paul addressed the subject and exhorts us to rejoice in our suffering, and be glad when we are persecuted. It is when you do what is right, or take a stand for the Truth that perscution comes. Therefore even in light of the persecution, there is joy to be had, for while it may cause pain in this life, you can rest assured that your sorrow will be cleansed away in the next.
Too often people seek to be Christ-like by only imitating the good times: miracles, healings and teachings. But if you want to be fully like Christ, you must take all of Him, even the suffering Christ of the cross. If you would be like Him, you must "take up your cross, and follow [Him]." (Matt. 16:24) Amen.
Vincent Christian
There are countless examples of faithful servants of God who experienced suffering in their life. Possibly the most obvious of these is Job. God was very pleased with Job, but still allowed terrible suffering to test this devout man. Is this because God is thoughtless, uncaring or cruel? Certianly not. As Christians, we can take comfort in the knowledge that while we may suffer, our suffering is never without purpose. Suffering helps us to mature in our walk, come to a deeper understanding of Christ's suffering, and counsel others who also suffer.
But the unhappiness that suffering brings need not rob us of the peace of God. Even in the midst of frightful heartache, one can find some comfort in one's faith. Even I at times, as the tears rolled down my face, was strengthened by the knowledge that God can take bad times, even those brought on by my own sin, and turn them into something good and beautiful so that I may learn and grow even closer to Him. While this knowledge didn't necessarily erase the mourning, it did give me hope that the days of sadness would pass, and there would be something worthwhile left when they did.
The apostle Paul addressed the subject and exhorts us to rejoice in our suffering, and be glad when we are persecuted. It is when you do what is right, or take a stand for the Truth that perscution comes. Therefore even in light of the persecution, there is joy to be had, for while it may cause pain in this life, you can rest assured that your sorrow will be cleansed away in the next.
Too often people seek to be Christ-like by only imitating the good times: miracles, healings and teachings. But if you want to be fully like Christ, you must take all of Him, even the suffering Christ of the cross. If you would be like Him, you must "take up your cross, and follow [Him]." (Matt. 16:24) Amen.
Vincent Christian
posted by Vincent Christian | 1:06 PM
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