praise -- 22.07.2011

I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency].

Phil 4:13

Sometimes we seem to have the idea that if we are suffering, if things are not going smoothly for us, we are not in God's will. In actuality, the opposite is often true. Sometimes God lets us go through trials in order to teach us, to refine us, to strengthen us.

(Rom 5:3-5 NRSV) And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us."

Some suffering is simply a result of living in a fallen world. As long as we live on this Earth, we will encounter illness, physical and emotional pain, financial distress etc.Only in Heaven will there be no suffering at all. Some suffering is brought on by our own mistakes and sins. Sometimes people too quickly blame satan for financial problems, work problems, marriage problems, and the like. Sometimes he is the cause. But often, it's easier to blame satan than to admit to our own responsibility or do the hard work required, in order to overcome the problem.

However, some suffering is inflicted by Satan, in hopes of discouraging us and leading us off the difficult, narrow path. If we are trying to do things God's way, the evil one certainly isn't going to make things easy for us, is he! Sometimes we underestimate Satan's power.

The Bible tells us that we should expect difficulties. Jesus was unequivocal about this. He didn't say, "you may have trials and sorrows." He didn't say, "if you stray off the right path you will have trials and sorrows." Nope. He says "You will have many trials and sorrows."

(John 16:33 NLT) I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.

(1 Pet 4:12-13 NLT) Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, be very glad--because these trials will make you partners with Christ in his suffering, and afterward you will have the wonderful joy of sharing his glory when it is displayed to all the world.

So how are we to deal with them? A friend of mine taught me to ask God in every situation - what we consider good, or bad - "What can I learn from this?" A professor of mine told us that we learn more from our failures than from our successes.

In addition, we are to thank in the midst of the situation.

(1 Th 5:18 NLT) No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Paul didn't say "if things are going your way, be thankful." He said "no matter what happens," be thankful.

We are to trust God to work good out of our trials -- He can and will bring glory to Himself and also work for our good, in our suffering:

(Rom 8:28 NLT) And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

God wants us to bring our suffering to Him. Christ took our suffering to the cross.

(1 Pet 5:7 NNAS) casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

(Psa 46:1 NNAS) God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.