Patience in the Face of Suffering
"You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near. Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The judge is standing at the door! Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy (James 5:8-11)."
Suffering is something none of us like, however, at some point in our lives, we will experience suffering. Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world (John 16:33). Sometimes the suffering is quick but other times, it seems to never end. The word suffering means "the state of undergoing pain, distress or hardship." We may suffer in this life for several reasons. It could be directly related to a choice we have made or a sin in our life. It could be simply because we live in a fallen world. Or, it could be because we have made a stand for the Lord Jesus and are under spiritual attack. Whatever the case may be, the Lord will use our suffering to produce patience in us-which is an area we can all grow in.
So how do you respond to suffering? If you are a follower of Christ, you are to be patient and stand firm in Him, knowing that He will use your present suffering to ultimately bring about good for you and those around you. As you keep your eyes on Jesus, and continue to praise Him through the suffering, you will bring Him glory. Those who do not believe, will see Jesus in you and will wonder how you can have such a peace in the midst of the adversity. You may be the only Jesus that someone sees. Your life will be a testimony of His goodness and grace.
My friend, we often do not understand the why behind the suffering and we may never receive the answer to the why in this lifetime. But if we believe God is good, just, holy, perfect, loving, compassionate and merciful-which He is, we can remain confident that He will never allow anything to come into our lives unless He has a divine, loving purpose behind it.
In Jeremiah 29:11-14, God reassures us with this truth: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you, declares the Lord, and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."
Although your circumstances may not be good, God is good (Psalm 136:1) and His plans for you are always good. He is faithful and righteous in all His ways (Psalm 145:17). Think about this for a moment....maybe God is using your present suffering to cause you to lean on Him like never before and to show you that He alone is enough! If we never suffered or if we always got everything we wanted, we could easily become prideful and think we don't need God. We want to make life about us and what we want, but my friend, it is all about the Lord-knowing Him and making Him known. Simply stated: You and I were created by Him for Him (Colossians 1:16).
Allow the Lord to work in and through you. Trust Him and have faith that He will work it all out according to His good, perfect and pleasing will. Every heartache, trial, loss or sickness God will use ultimately for your good and to make you more like Christ (Romans 8:28-29).
Suffering is something none of us like, however, at some point in our lives, we will experience suffering. Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world (John 16:33). Sometimes the suffering is quick but other times, it seems to never end. The word suffering means "the state of undergoing pain, distress or hardship." We may suffer in this life for several reasons. It could be directly related to a choice we have made or a sin in our life. It could be simply because we live in a fallen world. Or, it could be because we have made a stand for the Lord Jesus and are under spiritual attack. Whatever the case may be, the Lord will use our suffering to produce patience in us-which is an area we can all grow in.
So how do you respond to suffering? If you are a follower of Christ, you are to be patient and stand firm in Him, knowing that He will use your present suffering to ultimately bring about good for you and those around you. As you keep your eyes on Jesus, and continue to praise Him through the suffering, you will bring Him glory. Those who do not believe, will see Jesus in you and will wonder how you can have such a peace in the midst of the adversity. You may be the only Jesus that someone sees. Your life will be a testimony of His goodness and grace.
My friend, we often do not understand the why behind the suffering and we may never receive the answer to the why in this lifetime. But if we believe God is good, just, holy, perfect, loving, compassionate and merciful-which He is, we can remain confident that He will never allow anything to come into our lives unless He has a divine, loving purpose behind it.
In Jeremiah 29:11-14, God reassures us with this truth: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you, declares the Lord, and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."
Although your circumstances may not be good, God is good (Psalm 136:1) and His plans for you are always good. He is faithful and righteous in all His ways (Psalm 145:17). Think about this for a moment....maybe God is using your present suffering to cause you to lean on Him like never before and to show you that He alone is enough! If we never suffered or if we always got everything we wanted, we could easily become prideful and think we don't need God. We want to make life about us and what we want, but my friend, it is all about the Lord-knowing Him and making Him known. Simply stated: You and I were created by Him for Him (Colossians 1:16).
Allow the Lord to work in and through you. Trust Him and have faith that He will work it all out according to His good, perfect and pleasing will. Every heartache, trial, loss or sickness God will use ultimately for your good and to make you more like Christ (Romans 8:28-29).
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