God is Present in our Suffering

“Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.”
1Peter 4:12-13 MSG

Suffering is something each human faces in some stage of life. We can experience undergoing pain, hardship, distress, long-term illness or sickness. Nobody likes to suffer, but God can be in your trial or testing. There is always a purpose and He allows us to go through hardwired physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

Job suffered much and was tested dearly, God allowed Satan to test Job, but not to kill him. (See Job chap. 1&2). He lost everything, his family, his wealth, his farm and career, and friends. Yet, even in his complaining He trusted God!

The early Christians faced much suffering and persecution for taking a stand for Christ. God’s purpose is to refine us to draw closer and be conformed to Christ’s image.

“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. [29] For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters”.
Romans 8:28-29 NLT

We need patience in our sufferings to continue to trust God even in the deepest pain and distress.

James 5:7 NIV
“Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.
James.5.7.NIV

We are reminded to stay focused on the Lord coming back. Our tests cannot compare for what is in store in the future.
Its easy to whine and complain in our sufferings. Yet, praying to God and for one another will help us find strength in the Lord. Attitude does make a difference, but it is never easy. Life can be do unfair at times. A life is snatched from us by cancer, a person is murdered whom you loved, an innocent person is thrown in jail and so on.

Grief is a reality and we try to cope and deal with the loss or losses with life’s pressing issues.

As believers in Christ, we have a different perspective, even though we are human with real and raw emotions. Notice what Paul and James write in the midst of suffering and persecution.

“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; [4] perseverance, character; and character, hope. [5] And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us”.
Romans 5.3-5.NIV

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, [3] because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. [4] Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
James 1.2-4 NIV

Peter then reminds us of that suffering.

“So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. [7] These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world”.
1Peter 1.6-7.NLT

My friend I know its not easy and grief is real. May you find peace and strength in the comfort of GodsHoly Spirit to draw you to a place of healing and grace today. Release everything to Jesus Christ and trust Him to work out the pain, distress, heartache and so on. God may not eliminate your problem. But we are promised that He will get us through them. 💚