in pain and wept in sorrow as he offered up prayers to God.
Him.
trusting obedience by what He suffered.
As another part to out faith that God is in…
Suffering
The past week had been intense for my team; ministry
situations as well as personal struggles there being team struggles
(because we chose to carry each other in those ‘I cant go on’ times). As everyone on the race reaches that point, our team reached it this month. We are, by grace, living up to our name (koinonia) as God stayed by our
side through it all. Through this I am glad to announce that our love for one another is true & faithful. This fallen world
has provoked a great deal of thought on the real meaning of suffering.
What I know :
It is a real part of our faith
It does not make you the victum
It is not punishment for sin
When it comes by & through God, suffer well – do not
persue it and try to get it your self
Do not avoid it or use
it as an excuse
It is not to pass injustice
It will not be fully understood
Through conversations, sermons, books and the bible I
learned more about what I want suffering to look like in my life.
To be alive means I
will suffer, therefore I want to suffer with purpose.
My purpose is :
to grow in the virtues of Christ
to compel me to love more Christ-like
to purify my motives
to re-direct my lifestyle/
priorities
My squad has often prayed (
what we consider a dangerous prayer ) to God that He does whatever He has to in
us so He can do whatever He wants to through us. Its dangerous because it surly leads to
suffering… basically it is a sanctifying process of becoming more like Christ.
Suffering is not above God,
there is so much redemptive good that is in the condition of suffering; for
example, joy. Joy is a condition of the
heart, a choice, a lifestyle.
When you feel weak that is
when you are the strongest-
Take the mercy He gives, accept the help; God gives us more
grace than what we recognize.
To love & respect deeply is adoration. The one who so loved us gave the greatest
sacrifice, through suffering so that we may be with Him. In every circumstance know that you are in
His hands.
– in love
