Trials and Suffering

Do you ever wonder why, since our Savior consented to suffering, we try to avoid it at all costs? 

For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings. (Hebrews 2:10)

Most of us do everything we can to sidestep the slightest twinge of discomfort.  But dodging pain makes for bit of a stressful existence.  How can we expect others to connect with our faith story when we've edited out the hard parts, the parts they would most identify with?

In the world today brokenhearted people are expected to keep their grief  hidden and told to "suck it up"
or else they're told to find a quarter and call someone who cares.  Even Christians in some areas lean toward putting the lid on pain.  Don't show your weakness....we are supposed to be holy and saddness and pain are not viewed as holy. 

Today I was reading about why Christians suffer and why we go through trials and I found some interesting things.


 And if we are [His] children, then we are [His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His inheritance with Him]; only we must share His suffering if we are to share His glory. (Romans 8:17)

So ....I would think everyone would be excited about this above verse and I think that many people only read up until this part: only we must share His suffering if we are to share His glory. Hmmm....I don't know about you but I sure like the idea of being an heir but the suffering part doesn't sound as inviting. I have read enough at this point in my life to know that this is what comes with being a Christian. Things are NOT always going to be easy. I have also been reading and listening to some teachings about people that have gone to minister overseas and when they describe what people are willing to do for their faith I am blown away. People risk their lives every day to be a Christian in other countries. They are tortured and killed and as this is going on they still stand for Christ. Makes me feel like a big ol' wimp!!

What are we willing to sacrifice or suffer through for our faith.....for Christ? We are so accustomed to comfort. We need to have the right shoes...the right couch, bed, TV....the right food. All of these things are so minor when it comes down to it. I feel like I should be soo very grateful for everything I have even if it is not the style or color I may want.

Sometimes trials come simply to test and purify our faith.

1 Peter 1:6-7 I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it's your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory. (MSG)

I heard someone say recently that God is not as interested in WHAT you do as HE is in WHY you do it. We all know he is interested in our Heart...our faith.....we don't have to KNOW every word of the bible. He is looking at the purity of our faith and sometimes we need to go through some things to purify our faith. It may hurt while we are going through but when we get on the otherside and see what God has done we can see a bit of how and maybe even WHY it was orchestrated that way.

Sometimes we have to go through trials to build compassion

 For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning.  (Hebrews 4:15)

I was just thinking that when I look back over my life I don't necessarily think fondly on the divorce that I went through in 1999. That was so very painful I cannot hardly describe it. As I have put some time and distance in there God still has made me go back and actually "work through" the pain and the feelings. Was is pleasant? NO NO NO! Do I think God caused this? Not necessarily but I do know that God is using what I went through for His glory now. He has been placing women in my path that are on the verge of divorce and I have gotten a chance to tell them the story of what God did in my life since that time etc and to encourage them. I know that God is using other things in my life as well. It is easier to reach someone for Christ when you have been where they are. They are more willing to allow you to speak into their lives!

Paul even talked about this in Phillipians 1:12-14 I want you to know and continue to rest assured, brethren, that what [has happened] to me [this imprisonment] has actually only served to advance and give a renewed impetus to the [spreading of the] good news (the Gospel).... most of the brethren have derived fresh confidence in the Lord because of my chains and are much more bold to speak and publish fearlessly the Word of God.

Even though Paul was in prison he was able to be used of God. If we are to be able minister to others, don't we have to face some adverse circumstances and allow God to then bring us through to victory? To trust Him and know that he will use our circumstances as a great encouragement to others in the process.

What have you experienced that has drawn you closer to God?


What trial from your past is God using to minister to others?