Seven Words That The Flesh Hates 5 - SUFFERING

"that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death," (Philippians 3:10)

"The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together." (Romans 8:16-17)

Today I will say a few words about suffering. Very often, it is difficult to know why, how and when God will allow this in anyone's life but it is important to note that it is part of our Christian race. Apostle Paul knew a lot about suffering not theoretically but practically. He wrote to the Corinthian brethren of his sufferings -shipwrecks, beatings, hunger, cold, sleeplessness, weariness, etc (2 Corinthians 11:23-28). No wonder he associated the fellowship of suffering with the power of the resurrection of Jesus. It is impossible to have one without the other. In Romans 8:16-17, we are reminded that we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ IF INDEED WE SUFFER WITH HIM. God allows us to go through very difficult situations at times but His objective is always to make us conform to the image of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29). Suffice it to say that God will go to any length to mould us in the image of Jesus. That is the ultimate goal.

There are numerous cases of individuals who have shone in the midst of unimaginable suffering. Just recently I read of late Pastor Dick Woodward, former Pastor Emeritus of Williamsburg Community Chapel, Virginia, USA who became a bedridden quadriplegic due to a degenerative disease of the spinal cord (4spiritualsecrets.com). In his condition he continued to write Bible study materials and books, mentor and teach. Incredible.
Joni Eareckson Tada "suffered a fracture between the fourth and fifth cervical levels and became a quadriplegic, paralysed from the shoulders down" (Wikipedia) in 1967 after diving into what turned out to be a shallow end of Chesapeake Bay. For 53 years, she has been in a wheel chair and through all the struggles and pain, God has used her to touch millions of lives.
Nick Vujicic was born in 1982 with "with tetra-amelia without fully formed limbs.". How he lives through that from day to day is unimaginable yet he is an evangelist who has ministered to millions. In spite of his condition, God has used him to bless and inspire millions of Christians. The subject of suffering is not an easy one to talk about. There is no simple explanation for suffering but as Christians we can trust God because He is good and He knows what is best for us. We have to come to terms with the reality of suffering and continue to run with perseverance the race before us.

Today there are many Christians who are persecuted in different parts of the world. They and members of their families are suffering. As we run our Christian races, fixing our eyes on Jesus, God will direct us and give us the grace to bear whatever suffering He allows to come our way. It should be noted that suffering for wrongdoing is not what is referred to here. 

Apostle Peter put it this way,
"For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God." (1 Peter 2:20)

May God help us to embrace His Word and to trust Him no matter what comes our way - on the mountain, in the valley, when it is cold, when it is hot, when we have food to eat, when we are faced with scarcity, when we are healthy, when we have health challenges, when we have jobs, when we are unemployed - in all situations. Remember God never changes and He will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). Have a blessed day.