ROMANS 8:18-23 – “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.”

THEME OF THE DAY: SEEING OUR SUFFERING RIGHT.   Suffering is not one of those experiences we eagerly embrace, quickly rejoice in, and look to with delight.  We are quicker to complain and seek a way out of its pain. Yet, suffering is one of God’s choice instruments to do deep and necessary spiritual work in our lives. And it will if we see beyond the pain to the purposes. In regard to the purposes of God in our suffering, there are many, but our focus today is on two, but first we must establish the proper attitude toward suffering if we are to spiritually grow from its presence in our lives.

In today’s scripture, the Apostle Paul provides us with the God-honoring way to respond to suffering.  In simple terms, he viewed suffering through the lens of eternity.  Suffering was compared to what lies ahead for the believer – the fullness of glorification, the surrender of faith as children of God to sight of seeing the One Who by His sacrifice made us children of God.  If we learn to see all of suffering from heaven down, we will develop the proper response and put ourselves in the position to spiritually grow through our suffering.  And now the two lessons we may learn from suffering.   They come from an excellent book titled The Fruit of Godly Suffering by Wesley C. Cooper.

Cooper writes, “The light of Christ’s glory shines more brilliantly because of our dark path. He is infinitely sweeter and more precious because of the bitter trials we endure. His sufficiency is so all-encompassing when all we had has been stripped away. It is a truly blessed and happy man who, when Providence brings him to where all he has is God, finds that all he needs is God.”

He identifies two essential and transforming truths that occur in the believer traveling the dark path of suffering. First, Christ becomes more precious. Our fellowship with Him is deepened through pain.  And the joy we have in Jesus in our suffering makes the season of pain worth it.  We would not trade it for ease because of the nearness and experience of the Lord Jesus in the pain.

The second lesson Cooper offers is suffering empties us of any strength in ourselves so we may come to complete reliance on the Lord.  That is how we live the Christian life!

Seeing our suffering right is a necessary attitude in the Christian life for suffering is one of God’s choice tools to make us like Christ.  May we be patient, submissive, and learn from Him the wonderful lessons in our suffering.

PRAYER: Lord, help me to see my suffering in the manner that pleases You.

REFLECTION: Suffering is not to be complained of but rejoiced in for the good work it does in us.