People OF THE LORD are not exempt from suffering, in fact, suffering IS part, and parcel to our ONENESS with HIM, for just as HE suffered for us, we shall suffer for HIM, and in HIM! Suffering is part of the refining process, part of Sanctification, part of being Consecrated, for as we suffer, we are tried, tested, and proven; our FAITH, and FAITHFULNESS are put to the test, and believe it, a great many fail in what they suffer, because they were not ROOTED, and ANCHORED in their BELIEFS, in their TRUST of HIM, in their UNDERSTANDING, in their RELIANCE ON HIM, and therefore, subjected themselves to what is of the world OVER HIM. Suffering TEACHES us to RELY ON HIM ALL THE MORE, NOT to waver, falter, and give in; and, the enemy WILL be nearby to unleash an onslaught of negatives to influence us to turn away...
FAITH, and FAITHFULNESS does NOT question THE WILL OF *GOD*, instead, it causes us to FORTIFY our intent, all the more! Nor do we run in the sight of suffering, instead we are grounded all the more! We might have trouble during the events of the day, but we call UPON THE LORD, we PRAY, we KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON, IN HIS NAME, FOR HIS GLORY!!!
There are those of this plane whom have suffered their entire lives long, and in awful ways, as they are gripped with the cause, and effect of the lack of LOVE in this world, such as extreme impoverishment, hunger, lack of housing, clothing, water, or any basic necessities, diseases derived from poverty, and on it goes! Then there are those who have rarely suffered in any way, who are suddenly placed into suffering; these have little knowledge of suffering, and so suffering for them is most difficult! Suffering has as many heads (layers/levels), as there are people, and MUCH of it has come by way of NOT living according to THE WILL of *GOD*, and LOVE...
NO ONE is excused from suffering, even if it seems like it! Suffering WILL affect every person who is born into this plane, and the origin of suffering derives from diverse sources, such as the enemy, ourselves, or THE LORD; in other words, there are sufferings that are intended to eternally harm us, there are those we cause, and there are those designed to TEACH, and LEAD us to THE LORD! Some suffering exists to inspire others to seek, and find *GOD*, and some suffer WILLINGLY to SERVE *GOD*, and others, and on it goes!!!
There are many messages in THE BIBLE about suffering, which lead to greater understanding, thus greater ability to REMAIN IN THE LORD, DESPITE these sufferings; 100, and more if you break down the verses which pertain to the subject, which began with Adam, and Eve, and runs all through the HOLY SCRIPTURES...
2/ Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
3/ knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
4/ And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5/ But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
6/ But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.
7/ For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,
8/ being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Christianity teaches men to be joyful under troubles: such exercises are sent from God's love; and trials in the way of duty will brighten our graces now, and our crown at last. Let us take care, in times of trial, that patience, and not passion, is set to work in us: whatever is said or done, let patience have the saying and doing of it.
When the work of patience is complete, it will furnish all that is necessary for our Christian race and warfare. We should not pray so much for the removal of affliction, as for wisdom to make a right use of it. And who does not want wisdom to guide him under trials, both in regulating his own spirit, and in managing his affairs?
Here is something in answer to every discouraging turn of the mind, when we go to God under a sense of our own weakness and folly. If, after all, any should say, This may be the case with some, but I fear I shall not succeed, the promise is, To any that asketh, it shall be given. A mind that has single and prevailing regard to its spiritual and eternal interest, and that keeps steady in its purposes for God, will grow wise by afflictions, will continue fervent in devotion, and rise above trials and oppositions.
When our faith and spirits rise and fall with second causes, there will be unsteadiness in our words and actions. This may not always expose men to contempt in the world, but such ways cannot please God. No condition of life is such as to hinder rejoicing in God. Those of low degree may rejoice, if they are exalted to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom of God; and the rich may rejoice in humbling providences, that lead to a humble and lowly disposition of mind. Worldly wealth is a withering thing. Then, let him that is rich rejoice in the grace of God, which makes and keeps him humble; and in the trials and exercises which teach him to seek happiness in and from God, not from perishing enjoyments.
2/ through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.
3/ And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;
4/ and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;
5/ and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
A blessed change takes place in the sinner's state, when he becomes a true believer, whatever he has been. Being justified by faith he has peace with God. The holy, righteous God, cannot be at peace with a sinner, while under the guilt of sin. Justification takes away the guilt, and so makes way for peace. This is through our Lord Jesus Christ; through him as the great Peace-maker, the Mediator between God and man.
The saints' happy state is a state of grace. Into this grace we are brought, which teaches that we were not born in this state. We could not have got into it of ourselves, but we are led into it, as pardoned offenders. Therein we stand, a posture that denotes perseverance; we stand firm and safe, upheld by the power of the enemy. And those who have hope for the glory of God hereafter, have enough to rejoice in now.
Tribulation worketh patience, not in and of itself, but the powerful grace of God working in and with the tribulation. Patient sufferers have most of the Divine consolations, which abound as afflictions abound. It works needful experience of ourselves. This hope will not disappoint, because it is sealed with the Holy Spirit as a Spirit of love. It is the gracious work of the blessed Spirit to shed abroad the love of God in the hearts of all the saints. A right sense of God's love to us, will make us not ashamed, either of our hope, or of our sufferings for him.
Nobody likes to suffer, but suffering ISN'T going away, and so, the WISEST thing to do, is to REMAIN IN THE LORD, RELY ON HIM, LEARN of HIS WILL, FOLLOW HIM CLOSELY, REMAIN IN LOVE, KEEP THE PRAYERS GOING UP TO HIM, for others, for ourselves, for WISDOM, for knowledge, for strength, for courage, for ability to move through these times IN HIM, and FOR HIM, TRUSTING IN HIM, WAITING ON HIM, and DEVELOPING A FAITH which CANNOT be shaken, WHILE BEING FAITHFUL TO HIM, and HIS WILL, and HONOURING HIM BY doing good, and being good, and PRAISING HIM, WORSHIPING HIM, REJOICING IN HIS LOVING PRESENCE, and EXALTING HIM!!!
*GOD* BLESS and BE with us ALL, and may we BLESS HIM THROUGH FAITH, FAITHFULNESS, and great courage, and strength, WHILE taking care of others, regardless of our own sets of trials, and tribulations! MUCH LOVE, take care, and PRAISE THE LORD!!!
REV. LWINSOR © 2014
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS
1 comment:
Something WISE I read somewhere, said that we shouldn't necessarily ask THE LORD to remove our sufferings, instead that we should ask HIM to TEACH us to deal with them, and to somehow, see their purpose, while remaining strong, courageous, and FAITHFUL to HIM...
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