Times of Suffering
“Beloved, do not think it
strange concerning the
fiery trial which is to try
you, as though some
strange thing happened
to you; but rejoice to the
extent that you partake
of Christ’s sufferings, that
when His glory is revealed,
you may also
be glad with
exceeding
joy.” (1 Pet.
4:12-13)
Our Lord God
and
Savior
Jesus Christ
suffered the
burden
of
the cross to
cover the sins
of those who
accept Him as
a Savior and
to grant us
all an eternal
life. We as
Christians
need not to wonder why we
are always suffering, but
rather we rejoice that we
can follow the Lord Christ’s
example
of
suffering.
The Lord declared to us
beforehand that we will
face many tribulations
and hardships in this
world. Suffering occurs
either because of sins
that we commit against
the Almighty or simply
because of the fellowship
of Him. When we try to
follow the commandments
of Jesus Christ, we suffer
because we think His
commandments
are
difficult to bear, forgetting
His Mighty Hand of giving
power, guidance, and
support.
Christ is more precious
to us than any pain and
difficulty we may endure.
Whatever kind of suffering
we experience, when we
accept it with thanksgiving,
40
we demonstrate to people
around us that the Lord is
our true treasure and that
He receives all the glory.
Suffering as a Christian
serves several purposes
for our ultimate good: it
sanctifies and purifies us.
Suffering draws us closer
to
Christ
when
we
don’t have
the worldly
comforts to
rely on. Our
natural first
reaction to
suffering is
frustration,
fear,
or
a n x i e t y.
When our
heart
is
breaking,
and
the
world
is
f a l l i n g
apart, we
need to take heart and
to remember that God
has overcome the world!
Let us trust in Him and
remember that God loves
his children and that He
is ultimately good. Let us
not forget these truths for
they will help us in times of
suffering.