To Suffer part 3
Suffering teaches us more than just about anything else. That's why longsuffering is a fruit of the Spirit, and one of the things we are to "put on" in Colossians 3:12. If you throw in the towel at the first sign of adversity, you probably aren't going to get very far in life. In fact, Jesus said it like this, "...Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62 NLT). And my point isn't that we should start looking at each other as fit or not fit. My point is that this everlasting, eternal, abundant, Resurrection Life is a marathon, not a sprint. If you're not willing to go through the ups and the downs of life--and in this world there WILL be tribulation--you won't be able to truly appreciate this life. Its like Chinese food: Sweet AND sour. You almost can't have one without the other. If everything was "good," "good" wouldn't mean anything. "Good" is only "good" because it has something to compare itself with. So when you're in the midst of suffering... be of good cheer. Remember, we go through things so that we can learn from them and grow. And so that we can help others through those same things. We don't suffer for no reason. Everything that happens, well, let me say it like this: "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" (Romans 8:28 NLT). It doesn't say everything IS good, it says God causes all things to work FOR good. (And it could be argued that that does in fact mean all things are good, but I digress.) When you go through hard times, you appreciate the easy times. When you know things are good, its probably because you've experienced them when they were not so good. When you go through things, you have to remember that you are going THROUGH them. It came to pass, not to stay. Tough times don't last, but tough people do. And on the other side of it, when you put up with something (or someone) that makes you suffer... that's called love. Turning the other cheek. Taking the high road. I like the quote (and I didn't look it up, I'm just kind of getting the gist of it) that says, "Don't argue with a fool, they will bring you down to their level and beat you with experience." Don't let someone ele's suffering drag you down. Instead, realize that you've probably been where they are (or at least a stone's throw away from it... we all go through basically the same stuff), and lift them up. Let your suffering mean something. Let it be useful. To suffer is a part of life. And if this life really is never-ending, we need to embrace it. I don't want to take "waiting for heaven" away from anybody, but we are in the days of heaven on earth right now. We are in heaven because heaven is in us. We are equipped and empowered to reign ON THE EARTH. Right now. Today. In the midst of our suffering. When you're in a tough spot, that's the best opportunity you're going to get to show love. To show people who God is without even having to say His name. You can show a lot of love in the midst of suffering. That's one reason that it is working for good. Its a chance for you to rise above. And that's what I'm going to hit hard tomorrow (I think): Rising above your circumstances!