Suffering

Well today I am excited about what God is teaching me about suffering. There are many views out there about suffering and I won't attempt nor do I desire to contradict or correct them. I hope what the Lord is saying will be of some benefit to you. Why be excited about suffering? As I was reading the Word today I noticed that suffering was mentioned in connection with glory and joy repeatedly. Peter says "but REJOICE insasmuch as you are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that when his GLORY is revealed you may be glad with exceeding JOY"....isn't that great. Paul says: "And not only so but we GLORY in tribulation also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience..." James says" Count it all JOY when you encounter various trials knowing that the testing of your faith works patience...in the end you'll be fully mature". Jesus said: In the world you will have tribulation: but be of good CHEER I have overcome the world". Historically in the book of Acts Peter and John after being beaten "REJOICED that they were counted worthy to SUFFER shame for his name".

It almost seems like the early followers of Jesus relished suffering...now by suffering I don't mean getting sick or being poor and defeated or being depressed...the Bible passages I'm quoting are talking about the suffering we experience as we stand for Jesus and his Word. People will bring suffering our way. They will slander, malign and disparage us...but we are to rejoice with exceeding JOY when this happens knowing that this light affliction will work an exceeding weight of GLORY for us. God can really use suffering to bring out the character and glory of Christ in us if we let him. That is the true difference in how a Christian suffers and how the world suffers. The world complains and wines and frets; but the true believer rejoices and gets fired up because he/she knows that Jesus will be glorified in us...check out this verse in I Peter "but if any man suffer as a Christian let him not be ashamed but let him GLORIFY God on this behalf!" or "If you are reproached for the name of Christ HAPPY are you for the spirit of GLORY and of God rest on you (wow) on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is GLORIFIED". REally good stuff. A right view of suffering can really free us from complaining about our trials and rather look to see how God can be glorified through them and in us during the trial. There is so much more here; but I don't have time to get into it all. Just look up suffering and see how often JOY and GLORY hang around these words....PRAISE GOD...