Suffering

We all have something in common, we have all suffered, some differently than others and some more than others, but none more than Jesus

Suffering has existed since the early days of creation, great people like Abraham and Sarah, Job, King David, Ruth, John the Baptist and Paul all experienced great suffering.

 Perspective, sometimes we need a perspective reset.

In a me first world we ask, why God, why do you let us suffer so.

 3 three points to consider when putting our sufferings into perspective;

1) We chose it. Mankind’s fall into sin as is detailed in Genesis 3 turned our back on God and invited the suffering we experience today. We are an undeserving people that chose against Gods perfect plan. We are deserving of hell.

Romans 5:12 (NIV) Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man (Adam), and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.

Romans 6:23 (NIV) says; For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2)He chose us, he made a way out of this mess by paying a steep price.

Luke 22:42-44 (NIV) “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

1 Peter 2:24 (NIV) “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

John 3:16 (NIV) For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

3) God will ultimately triumph over suffering and we can share in that if we choose him.

Revelation 21:4 (NIV) He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (MSG) So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.

 We have a God who loves us all dearly and has been pursuing us, his bride since the beginning of time. On this day do you choose him?