Romans 8:18
The bible is filled with passages that speak to the amount of suffering that a Christian will endure within his/her lifetime… There is not a single scripture which speaks to the life of a Christian being easy; but on the contrary, there are many which depict suffering, hardships and tribulations… The writer of this passage (Paul) was a man who once found pleasure in persecuting others; however, in his conversion, God speaks to the suffering that Paul will endure in a conversation that takes place in the 9th chapter of Acts with a man by the name of Ananias… But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”Suffering is a vital part to the Christian journey; faith is developed through suffering, rewards are accumulated through suffering and growth is displayed through suffering… So many people proclaim a relationship on the surface with Jesus Christ; however, in the suffering stages their actions say others… Even in the most uncomfortable situations we are reminded today that they are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us…
The results that come from your suffering will negate the suffering that you experience… Nobody really likes to suffer, but as a child of God we must speak the truth and no that there are no shortcuts on this journey… One thing in life is certain and that is that you will experience hardships and obstacles… I don’t think a day goes by in our lives where there isn’t at least one thing that takes place in our lives that causes us heartache, stress or disappointment… I have heard so many people speak of problems that they are facing and I believe we all would agree with the saying,“You’re either in a storm, coming out of a storm or going into a storm…” Although difficulties are never something you want to face, the bible tells us several times (today’s focus verse is an example) about the affliction that we will experience… As a Christian, trials and tribulations are a part of growing in Christ… When we face trials we are called to embrace them because they display your faith and God’s faithfulness… The bible says that faith without works is dead, so we must endure hardships to display our faith and by overcoming (working) we allow God’s sovereign light to shine in our lives…These trials that we face are not to intimidate us but for God’s glory and power to be manifested in your life… Paul was imprisoned and his praises broke the walls down, Job lost everything and gained double what he had, David was isolated in a cave before he came out as king of Israel, and Jesus was mocked and whip before he received all power in heaven and on earth! Understand that trials are common place for a Christian; every day we are facing trials and tribulations, not to strike fear in us, but to prepare us for Christ’s return and equip us to know that we can be victorious because every trail we face can be transformed into a stepping stone…
Paul is charging the Church of Rome just as he is charging us today; don’t become weary, don’t give up, don’t be discouraged because you have to go through some sad days or sleepless nights; don’t become fearful because it seems like the enemy has the upper hand. Your trails are tools for growth and purging, we are learning that through Christ all things are possible and that he should be our focus and strength. Later on in this chapter Paul says that we are more than conquers and that nothing can separate us from the Love of God! To be more than a conqueror you have to face your share of mountains and shadows of death, to be more than a conqueror you have to go through the pains of maturity and face puzzling and complicated days… Likewise, to know that nothing can separate us from the Love of God is encouraging for us to know, we are in God’s care and He will never put more on us than we can bear… In order to know that we can’t be separated from God’s love we must be tried and the enemy will come and try to end your divine appointment, he will come and try to kill God’s vision for you life, and destroy your hopes and dreams! Attacks will come, dismay will come, but it will not come near you if you make the Lord your dwelling place (Psalms 91)! Trials seem to weigh us down; however on the scale of life the blessing that are in store outweigh your suffering… Paul says the present sufferings don’t even compare… What I gather from this is that whatever I am going through right now isn’t going to outweigh what God has in store… This is simple equation – 1 obstacle = at least 2 blessings… You have suffered several challenges in your life, the blessings you receive from God will be double what you have faced on this earth … Yes we all have to go through the refining process, it’s painful, and hectic, but just as gold we will see our true value and the worth that we have in God’s kingdom… Suffer now, so that you don’t suffer later!
ALL FOR HIS GLORY!
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