There is a reason why believers go through Sufferings

 

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Rom 8:18

Jesus Christ told us, "In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33). In our journey of faith, going through suffering is inevitable. We will indeed go through suffering. Just as Christ suffered, so shall we.

The suffering I'm referring to here is not the suffering humans endure due to sin. There are sufferings people endure as punishment and consequences of their sins and wickedness.

The sufferings of believers and of an unbelievers are different. Job suffered not because he sinned; the Word of God says, "Then the LORD asked Satan, 'Have you considered my servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil.'" (Job 1:8) Job didn't go through suffering because he committed some sin or was cursed. Job's sufferings came for a specific reason.

Jesus Christ also suffered. All the sufferings He endured were for our redemption. I can categorize these sufferings into two types: the sufferings He endured during His crucifixion and the sufferings He experienced because He took on human nature. This sinful nature afflicted our Saviour.

I want us to learn the main reason God allows suffering for His saints on earth. The Word of God says this about Jesus Christ, "Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered." (Hebrews 5:8)

"Obedience" is one of the main reasons God allows suffering. When Satan tempted Job, he said to God, "But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face." (Job 1:11) Job's suffering was brought forth to test his faithfulness and obedience to God. God allowed Job's sufferings to see if he would continue to obey His commandments or sin.

What do you do when you go through suffering and difficult times? What do you say? Do you continue to obey God's commandments? Or do you curse him as how the devil wanted Job to do?

Some Christians can not endure sufferings. There are Christians who, every time they go through difficult situations, must offend God, thinking they will repent later. They lack patience. They fail to follow and obey God's commandments.

Today, I want you to know one thing: Sufferings prepare you for the glory that God has prepared for you. God uses them to build you, and what God desires most is obedience. Let not the sufferings and hardships you go through cause you to offend God. Endure because God has prepared good things for you.

Prayer: Jesus Christ, you endured all sufferings without sinning. I ask you to empower me through the Holy Spirit within me to be obedient to God even in the difficult times of my life. So that I may enter in the glory you have prepared. Amen.