A Special Gift

    Believers would greatly benefit from looking at their suffering from an eternal perspective.  “Dear friends, don’t be bewildered or surprised when you go through the fiery trials ahead, for this is no strange unusual thing that is going to happen to you.  Instead, be really glad- because these trials will make you partners with Christ in His suffering, and afterwards you will have the wonderful joy of sharing His glory.”  1 Pet 4:12   The true goal of every believer’s life should be to surrender to Christ’s leadership.  Suffering pushes us toward this challenging goal. 

    We each have a valuable contribution to make to our world.  Our best gifts come through what we have suffered.  “It is by those who have suffered that the world has been advanced.”  Leo Tolstoy   God grows strong, transformed, and mature believers from the soil of suffering.  However, we may ask, is the suffering worth it all?  Friends, our God is the Giving God.  His shovel is bigger than ours, His treasures far beyond the telling.  “And since we are His children, we will share His treasures- for all God gives to His Son Jesus is now ours too.  But if we are to share His glory, we must also share His suffering.”  Rom 8:17   How amazing that all believers are heirs of Christ with the blessing of inheriting our Father’s estate.  Let’s take a look at just some of the treasures of our inheritance.  These include a renewed heart, protection from Satan’s destructive plans, and the fulfillment of God’s incredible promises.  We also experience the wise leadership of Christ our Lord, adoption into God’s own family, and the security that we will never be separated from His passionate love.  One day we will enjoy a new heaven and a new earth, eternal life with the Father in paradise, and a perfect body.  The Holy Spirit inside the believer guarantees that this full inheritance is ours.  As we understand and value the treasures that await us we are better able to take the suffering that comes our way.  Our sorrow isn’t wasted.  It hollows out chambers for joy to abide when it is gone.  Suffering enlarges our capacity to enjoy life.  Our present joys are sweeter for past pain.  What we suffer has formed within us a personal life message.  It is our gift to the world. 

    Dear friends, our spiritual eyes must see beyond today.  Christ’s glory rests upon us, bringing greatness from our suffering.  Only Christ can bring sweetness out of bitterness, strength out of weakness, and triumph out of tragedy.  He will tenderly comfort each suffering child.  Let Jesus make your life a special gift to all.

Click here to read about a personal experience of physical suffering and turning to God.

Click here to read how to comfort those who are suffering.

Click here to read about celebrating God in the midst of tragedy.