A Sheer Gift
“Since Jesus went through everything you’re going through and more, learn to think like him. Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way. Then you’ll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want.” (1 Peter 4:1-2)
When suffering comes your way, and inevitably it will for all of us, more often than we would like, how do you react? Do you complain and whine to your fellow man and God, or do you accept it as a part of life and maybe even a good thing?
The Bible talks so much about this thing called suffering. It is something none of us can escape. The Word promises, “In this world you will have tribulation.” We live in a messed up, sinful world, therefore messed up things will happen. Dirt will hit the fan.
Knowing that we cannot escape it, we must learn to look at it differently. We need to see suffering as Jesus did. He endured it because He knew the joy waiting for Him on the other side of the pain.
I love how the Message says this. “Think of your suffering as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way.” How true this is. Isn’t that really the root of our frustration and anger when things don’t go our way?
Suffering shows us we’re not in control, God is. Suffering changes us for the better, making us more patient and more aware of others. Suffering draws us closer to the heart of the Father, because it is in those times that we realize our desperate need of Him.
But those sufferings will only change us, for the better as we put our trust in God’s goodness and His plan for our lives, even in the difficult times. We must believe, “He always has a plan for good.”
If you allow those difficulties to have their way in your life, never taking your eyes off of the Lord, they will turn around for your good.
“You will be enabled to live out your life free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want.”
I don’t know about you, but I often feel tyrannized by what I want. I want comfort. I want to live pain free. I want everything to go my way, and it’s because of these desires, that I often miss out on all the great things God has for me.
So, “Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all side … Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.” (James 1:2-4 The Message)
#suffering #asheergift #purejoy













