Suffering

Suffering has been the forefront of life recently.

We see suffering everywhere we look. From bombings, explosions, shootings, persecution, basic human rights, hunger, disease, human trafficking, death...it's everywhere.

It's so hard to imagine why we must walk these roads. To question leadership, loyalties, laws and even God. To revert to a very childlike state, stare up at the sky and ask my Father, "Why?"

This side of heaven I am not sure we will ever truly grasp how all of these things fit into a grand design, a beautiful tapestry woven together by Almighty hands who are tender and firm at the same time. An Almighty heart that is loving beyond all comprehension and therefore is broken. An Almighty Father who's discipline and correction are given out of an unspeakable grace and mercy that flows from His heart.

I have sat this morning staring at a screen that scrolls with news of hurting families, continued and immense torture for a fellow brother in Christ, and people who are just lost in themselves. And I raise my head, tears overflowing, look to heaven and simply say, "Why?"

And I am reminded by a still small voice...
1 Peter 4:¹² 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—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.

Romans 5: ³ We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.
             8: ¹⁸ Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.

2 Thessalonians 1: ⁵ And God will use this persecution to show his justice and to make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering.

As hard as it is right now, it will be worth it! We can't give up, give in, jump ship, run for the hills, turn tail, or doubt. We must hold fast to the truth of God's word that this will make us into who HE has truly created us to be.

Always remember,

John 16:33 (NLT)

³³ 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.”