Excellent Day to you.
It's a season of Grace and Truth and I'm priviledged to share some insights with you on the sufferings we face as Christ believers. I believe God will be giving you a mind shift as you flow with me through this piece.
The last time you heard the word 'suffering' what came to mind?
Honestly, there has been and there's still a lot to go through. The natural man is filled with troubles. There're just enough challenges and problems going round the world; and there are a lot of them going on in the minds of many people but I have good news for you. It's so good that it might shock you but it will bless you. Here is the good news (The Gospel): God does not put suffering in our lives; He puts His Word. Scripture says, "These things I have spoken to you, that IN ME you may have peace. IN THE WORLD you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Did you see that? In the world, we will encounter troubles but in Christ, we have what He has spoken - We have His Word of righteousness, peace and joy. Hallelujah! Joy comes from knowing what Christ has done! What Christ has done is Grace. Hallelujah!
What is in Christ is the Word he has spoken while what's in the world are the tribulations that arise against His Word. In the Word, there's peace and in the world there's problem.
If The words of Jesus do not keep you at peace, it's not that Jesus is speaking the wrong things, you are the one not receiving what He has said - you're doubting; you aren't fixing your mind on Him.
As New Covenant (Grace) believers, we have a better covenant established on better promises and we have a better and living relationship with God. This is what our enemies are against.
Afflictions (sufferings) arise because of The Word that has been given to us. See something: Mark 4:14,16-17; So profound.
14 The farmer (i.e. God) sows the Word.
16 Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy.
17 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution COMES BECAUSE OF THE WORD, they quickly fall away.
I think that's really interesting, blissful and challenging (in a positive sense).
Now, what's God's intent in the sufferings we encounter as Christ's believers? I believe this is what God has to say to you and me in the midst of any suffering we find ourselves:
In times of suffering, you are made to produce, to release the fruit of your right standing with God. Suffering does not capture your right standing (righteousness) with God even though satan wants you to lose consciousness of that Truth that abides forever. Your righteousness is of God. Suffering comes to make you prove your relationship with God. It's all about perspective. Let the Word shape your perspective; your response to suffering will change.
Paul faced a lot of afflictions in his life and he could still call them 'light'. How profound. You need to read some of his afflictions in 2 Corinthians 11:23-33 if you think he suffered lightly. However, he called those afflictions, 'light afflictions' because he was seeing them through the right lens (mindset) - The Word. The Word has the ability to change our mindsets (way of thinking). Hear what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18:
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18 WHILE WE LOOK not at the things which are seen, but AT THE THINGS WHICH ARE NOT SEEN: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are NOT SEEN (UNSEEN) are ETERNAL.
Friend, The Word is eternal because it is spirit (John 6:63). It was before heaven and earth began. It is timeless. We see spiritual realities that are in an unseen realm through Faith in The Word.
Paul said that our afflictions work for us (i.e., they become our slaves, our advantage; they serve us; they give us Royal service as the Kings and Queens that we are) when we focus on The Word (2 Corinthians 4:17, Romans 8:28). Friend, instruct your suffering! Define it!
Afflictions are inevitable in this fallen body we wear and this evil world we temporarily live in but God wants to reveal to all creation that even in the midst of your darkest moments, His Light in you can still shine. Therefore, you're coming out better, stronger and bolder; even prettier 😁. The Light that God is and you are is the highest level of reality that exists and lives forever!
After a particular phase of hardship, you will find out that you become more loving, peaceful, joyful, kind, compassionate, gentle (not soft), firm (not rigid) and patient. You'll get to see yourself expressing some more good. All these are the fruit of your right standing with God.
0 Comments