Has Suffering Come To Visit Like An Unwanted Guest
2 Timothy 1:8 "So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don't be ashamed of me, either, even though I'm in prison for Him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News."
How do you think the Christian life is? How has it been portrayed to you? All roses and sunshine? No doom and gloom? If so, that is NOT an accurate portrayal of the Christian life. God NEVER says it will be easy, care free, or uneventful. Quite the opposite actually. Scripture tells us over and over that "when" suffering comes - not "if" suffering comes. What does than mean for us? Well, that means we have to "be ready" for what comes our way. Like soldiers. We have to be covered in both the armor of God as well as in prayer. From ourselves and from/with others. Life is a battle field. We do not and will not "win" without 'suffering' - however, it is "how" we handle the suffering that's a "win". Do you ask for it to be removed OR do you ask for strength to handle it? Do you see suffering as issues and problems OR do you see them as opportunities? Sometimes our sufferings are not for 'us to learn' but for someone else to learn or be drawn to God.
We need to see that "suffering" means that we are alive! Stress, worry, fear... are all here to stay. Suffering comes to our homes like a house-guest. Sometimes we invite it, and others times it just shows up. Yes, we can pray for the suffering to be removed, but then follow it up with "help me to handle what comes my way" - kind of like Jesus did on the cross. He said, "If it be Your will Father, let this cup pass from me" but if not, then He knew He needed to suffer for the greater good. Us! So, if suffering behaves like a 'good' house-guest, it will only stay for a little bit. You do NOT have to invite it to "move in"! As a matter of fact, when it wears out its welcome, you can ask it to leave! Do we mean to "invite" suffering in? No, not always. When we think we are being generous or helpful, sometimes it doesn't quite go as planned. THAT is when we need to be one of Gods soldiers, and put on our full armor of God. From head to toe! THAT is how we battle through life and the many 'sufferings' we go through.
Today, take a breath. Hold it a few seconds, then let it out slowly. Do it again. Now - ask our heavenly Father to give you eyes to see, ears to hear, and emotions to feel what He is wanting you to do today. If you have been going through some 'sufferings' - then ask Him to remove that cup from you and your family. THEN be ready for the part: how do I endure through it? Give us strength Father to handle what comes our way. Show us the way Lord, Your way, not ours, to be strong in You and how You will work things out for us. How You are drawing someone to You in what we are going through. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. Be blessed today and KNOW that you ARE loved!!
How do you think the Christian life is? How has it been portrayed to you? All roses and sunshine? No doom and gloom? If so, that is NOT an accurate portrayal of the Christian life. God NEVER says it will be easy, care free, or uneventful. Quite the opposite actually. Scripture tells us over and over that "when" suffering comes - not "if" suffering comes. What does than mean for us? Well, that means we have to "be ready" for what comes our way. Like soldiers. We have to be covered in both the armor of God as well as in prayer. From ourselves and from/with others. Life is a battle field. We do not and will not "win" without 'suffering' - however, it is "how" we handle the suffering that's a "win". Do you ask for it to be removed OR do you ask for strength to handle it? Do you see suffering as issues and problems OR do you see them as opportunities? Sometimes our sufferings are not for 'us to learn' but for someone else to learn or be drawn to God.
We need to see that "suffering" means that we are alive! Stress, worry, fear... are all here to stay. Suffering comes to our homes like a house-guest. Sometimes we invite it, and others times it just shows up. Yes, we can pray for the suffering to be removed, but then follow it up with "help me to handle what comes my way" - kind of like Jesus did on the cross. He said, "If it be Your will Father, let this cup pass from me" but if not, then He knew He needed to suffer for the greater good. Us! So, if suffering behaves like a 'good' house-guest, it will only stay for a little bit. You do NOT have to invite it to "move in"! As a matter of fact, when it wears out its welcome, you can ask it to leave! Do we mean to "invite" suffering in? No, not always. When we think we are being generous or helpful, sometimes it doesn't quite go as planned. THAT is when we need to be one of Gods soldiers, and put on our full armor of God. From head to toe! THAT is how we battle through life and the many 'sufferings' we go through.
Today, take a breath. Hold it a few seconds, then let it out slowly. Do it again. Now - ask our heavenly Father to give you eyes to see, ears to hear, and emotions to feel what He is wanting you to do today. If you have been going through some 'sufferings' - then ask Him to remove that cup from you and your family. THEN be ready for the part: how do I endure through it? Give us strength Father to handle what comes our way. Show us the way Lord, Your way, not ours, to be strong in You and how You will work things out for us. How You are drawing someone to You in what we are going through. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. Be blessed today and KNOW that you ARE loved!!
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