Suffering, how should we deal with this? How can we go to God when we are going through a difficult time? Should we grunt our teeth and just get through it? Or is there a response that God wants us to have during the trials of this life?
Suffering can definitely lead us closer to God. I stand as a witness to this fact. As a Pastor for the past four years, I have seen many people go through difficult times and go to church seeking guidance. Some were in financial trouble, relationship trouble, and others had trouble with the law. Many crisis moments can cause people to seek after God.
There are two way to react to suffering. We can get sick and say, “Well this must be God’s will, I’m going to suffer through this.” Or we can realize that God calls sickness a curse. We can also remember that it is the devil who comes to, “steal, kill, and destroy” (John 10:10). Then we can, “resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7). If we just conclude that every sickness and tragedy is God’s sovereign and perfect will, we will not have faith in God’s healing.
Just as you can hear your way into peace, prosperity, and grace. You can also hear yourself into fear, anxiety, and depression. If you are going to go through suffering, give glory to God in that time. Don’t go through suffering alone. Seek the Lord. And seek the guidance of the Church.
There are many ways to have more grace in our life. Biblically this can come through humility, rest, and a revelation of Jesus. Another way to have more grace is through sin. This is definitely not the ideal path though. The Bible says, “where sin increased, grace abounded all the more” (Romans 5:20). When we find ourselves in a 30’ pit, God will get a 40’ rope.
If you find yourself suffering because of your own sin remember that God’s grace is always greater than our mistake. He is not here to judge or punish us, our sin was punished on the Cross. Suffering can used by God in this life, but let’s not get a fascination with this. It would be much better if we would reach out to God during the high moments in our lives.
Suffering was not and is not God’s grand plan. The trials of this life are not God’s mercy, but in the midst of our pain, God will give us mercy. We suffer because mankind opened the door to sin. In the midst of our pain and suffering it is the love of God that sustains us. When we realize God is not sending sickness to us, we can resist suffering because know God’s heart. One day we will be delivered completely from the grips of all suffering. Romans 8:18 tells us, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Let us remember that God is with us through the highs and lows. He has a plan to take care of you. Trust the Lord