Going Through

It may appear that many people have everything together and from some perspective, this may seem actually true. However, everyone is facing some kind of challenge in life, if not several. The reality is that we all have our own journey filled with moments that are good, bad and everything in between. This is not surprising. What is more revealing is that history reveals that following Jesus often comes with consequences. After all, He, Himself was mistreated without cause. His only focus was solely about His Father’s business, and yet people rejected Him and condemned an innocent man to satisfy their own wicked desires. This reflects the scheme of the enemy. The enemy has one specific agenda and that is turn people away from God, even if it means to throw every evil challenge their way, which includes persecution.

Consider this, when someone is suffering, individuals immediately think of the bad experiences, and yes, this is no easy task to go through. However, Peter has much to say about suffering. He shares how it can be a method of serving the Lord, of exhibiting faith, and also being tested. In 1 Peter, it elaborates how Peter had written to Christians scattered all over. Who were already experiencing oppression from people who did not believe in Jesus, and they could expect to suffer even more. However, Peter was swift to present encouragement. His letter reminded them as well as us in today’s world that some of the Lord’s followers may have to experience tough times of hard testing. However, these challenges, Peter shares will strengthen faith and bring honor on the day when Jesus Christ returns. “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” (1 Peter 1:6-7).

God can use suffering to build one’s character. In the book of Genesis, Joseph’s brothers treated him awfully and plotted against him, tossed him in an empty well, and later sold him as a slave. Joseph even experienced being accused of attempting to assault a woman, which was not true. Later, he found himself in prison and lastly, the death of his father Jacob. What misery must he have experienced? Being hated by his siblings, lied on, being incarcerated, and the passing of his father. Let us examine David, he was suffering tremendously in Psalm 22. You can sense the plea of David’s cry to God for deliverance. David felt less than nothing as he described himself as a worm. His description of a worm is probably as low as one can get when feeling mistreated. Although, he was going through such an eccentric deal, David still knew how to call on the Father. He cried out, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” 

Genesis 50:20 (KJV) declares, “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” Joseph tells his brothers, you tried to destroy me, but God made it turn out for the best. Joseph could have easily mistreated his brothers and could have validated his actions in his mind. However, through his suffering, he gained marvelous character and trusted God through all his trials. He knew to keep God first. I believe suffering can get our awareness and point us to repentance and transition to being a better individual. In reading the Word, it is all about having good character. Proverbs 12:22 states, “Lying lips are abomination to the LORD:  but they that deal truly are his delight.”  God loves when we can be trusted. It builds a sincere relationship with Him.

Blessings,

fDawson