The Gift of Suffering

“The LORD replied, “Look around at the nations; look and be amazed! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it.” – NLT

Have you ever prayed to the Lord only to have Him answer in a way that was completely unexpected? This was what happened to the prophet Habakkuk. He was praying for God to bring revival to Judah, and God’s response was to bring in the Babylonians to take over Judah. This would be like us praying for revival in the United States and to have God respond by sending Al Qaeda to take over America.

Why would God allow this kind of thing to happen? Did He not care for His people? Wasn’t there another way? I’m sure this is what Habakkuk was thinking after God spoke, and this is most likely our response as well. Many times when we experience suffering we ask God to remove it or we run from it like nothing good could come out of it. The reality is that God allows suffering in our lives to draw us closer to Him and produce fruit in our lives. If we never experienced troubled times, how would be demonstrate the fruits of the Spirit? Not only that, but if there was no hardship here on earth, then heaven would lose its luster. So, today as you walk through life, don’t simply ask for escape from suffering, but ask God to use that suffering for your good and His glory. You’ll be surprised with what happens next.

Life Lesson: Don’t be surprised by suffering. Use it as a means to deepen your walk with God.

Dear God,
While it may be difficult to say, I want to thank You for my suffering. It may be difficult to endure, but I know that You have a reason behind each and every tear. Strengthen and guide me so that I can be used of You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Rough Waters

“And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, when they had let down the skiff into the sea, under pretense of putting out anchors from the prow, Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the skiff and let it fall off.”
NKJV

The worst time to ‘jump ship’ is when the water is rough. If you make a decision when the storms are raging, it is hard to make a clear choice. Yet, isn’t that when we often make life changing decisions, only to look back later, and discover we made the wrong one? We hear ourselves saying, “I am tired of this marriage,” “I am tired of my parents,” “I am tired of my job,” or “I am tired of this church.” Weather the storms. When the storms get tough, do not bail out and give up. There is a huge blessing in pressing in.

In the verses above, Paul points out that the men ‘jumping ship’ were taking a selfish approach that ultimately would hurt them and the others. Be careful when you want to run my friend. Please don’t have ‘lifeboats’ for yourself as a way out. Do not keep the mind set that “If this doesn’t happen” or “if that happens, I am out of here.” Often, we walk into situations already planning our escape route or our way out. Of course in thinking like that, we soon have a reason (more like an excuse) to ‘jump ship’. Instead of looking for a way out, maybe we should look at these circumstances as a way in. We want to be more like Jesus… who obviously did not turn and run in the face of opportunity, offense or crisis. Friend, look for the ‘growth opportunity’ in the storm to grow as a person, a believer, and as a follower of Jesus. You will soon find it.

Life Lesson: Don’t jump ship when the waters are rough.

Dear Lord,
I know I have made bad decisions in the midst of the storms in life. Please forgive me. I know some of the consequences of my bad decisions are still here. In the future, please help me to make better decisions. Please send others to help me through these tough times. I ask for Your peace to comfort me. I ask, Father, for Your power to strengthen me. When I want to run because I am afraid or hurt, I ask that You help me to stand. I know that You will guide me to grow through these things. Lord, I know You will be there to help me through every storm of life and even in the final storm of death. Thanks God. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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