Why Should I Suffer?
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For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Romans 8:18 (NKJV)
“If God is so good…why should I suffer?” This is a question that plagues many people. For some reason we think that our good behavior, kindness and love for God should exempt us from having to suffer heartaches, pain and adversity of any kind. Job, a biblical character that many of us have read or heard about, probably shared this sentiment since he was a righteous man who shunned evil and feared God. Yet, he suffered beyond what seemed to be humanly possible.
There are many reasons that we suffer. Some suffering can be self-induced. Possibly we disobeyed God’s commands or directives. Maybe we failed to be a good steward of that which God entrusted to us. Or perhaps we made some unwise decisions or choices. Suffering as a consequence of these actions, or lack thereof, may or may not have any merit. On the other hand, there are many benefits of suffering for righteousness sake.
Suffering is the hallmark of a life lived for Christ. Jesus Himself proclaimed that if you suffer with Me, you will also reign with Me. Jesus had to suffer for our sake, that we might have eternal peace and not eternal damnation.
A life without suffering would be a life of minimal spiritual and personal growth. We would not experience the comfort and healing power of God or the development of compassion for others. God uses suffering to conform us into His likeness. Suffering draws our attention back to God when we get distracted or consumed with the cares of this world.
Suffering is a means of developing personal character. We become more sensitive and compassionate toward others. God uses suffering to prove our faith, just like He did with the children of Israel when He led them 40 years through the desert. God did this to humble them and to reveal what was in their hearts (Deut 8:2-3).
Also, suffering is one of God’s ways of expressing that He is pleased with our productiveness. Even though He is pleased with us, He knows we have not exhausted our potential and He knows we have the capacity to bear even more fruit. Therefore, He prunes us, that is, He cuts away the dead or diseased stuff that is hanging around us sapping our strength and growth potential (John 15:2). Pruning is uncomfortable, but it is necessary for continued progress and productivity.
Yes, Job suffered even though he did not understand why calamity befell him. Undoubtedly, he knew one thing for sure, after he was tried, he would come forth as gold (Job 23:10). Job didn’t understand why life did a boomerang on him, but he came to understand that it was for his own good. God blessed Job so much that the end of his life was better than the beginning (42:12).
God is a rewarder and restorer. So go ahead and suffer a little while, for 1 Peter 5:10 declares, “And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you.” (NRSV)
Declare like Job, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” (Job 13:15).
Posted by on Tuesday, June 6th, 2017 @ 8:40PM
Categories: Inspirational