Savoring the Time of Suffering
by Cynthia Jennings on November 18, 2020Suffering is described as someone who undergoes or feels pain or distress; to sustain injury or loss. Given the present climate many people are suffering with anxiety, depression, loneliness and hopelessness that can slowly seep into any of our day to day existence until we become emotionally and completely numb.
I don’t know any person who willingly wants to suffer. But, while we are in this world, we will always have stressors and will endure some form of suffering.
When someone is suffering the first response to the suffering is pray and read your Bible daily. Those are correct responses. However, there is something else that needs to be added to these 2 vitally important actions. SAVORING! To savor means to take, or to enjoy something completely. We must learn to savor that The Lord is Good….even in the midst of our suffering!
Think about any suffering you might be enduring. Below are 5 points on how you can from this point on view your suffering from Gods perspective:
*Suffering is Not Random: Suffering is not without purpose. God sovereignly uses circumstances to teach powerful lessons to accomplish His will. (Genesis 37-50; Hosea 3:1). Suffering causes the biblically grounded Believer to worship God, praise His providential hand and trust His loving heart, regardless if the causes of the suffering are known or unknown.
*Suffering Touched Our Savior: Jesus in the flesh experienced weariness and other human weakness. He was tempted in every way humans are yet without sin. But in the midst of His impeding suffering Jesus’ example was, “Not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). Jesus said His people would follow in His footsteps, and that would include suffering (John 15:20). The ultimate answer to suffering was at the cross when Jesus declared, “it is finished” (John 19:30). Our suffering as we follow Jesus has purpose and it will come to an end.
*Suffering Teaches Us to Seek and Trust God: As we rest and rely on Scripture, Believers can learn to respond to suffering in godly ways (Romans 12:19; Colossians 3:13). All who desire to live godly will be persecuted (2Timothy 3:12; Philippians 1:29). Even in the time of suffering Believers can seek God, find His blessings and give a powerful testimony for Christ (Matthew 5:10-11; 1Peter 2:19-20).
*Suffering Can Bring Glory to God: God sometimes allows things that are underserved, disease and disabilities, to display His marvelous work. (John 9:1-3; John 11:1-4; John 11:40). When Believers suffer people are watching and Believers’ intentions in the time of suffering should be to honor God (1 Peter 4:12-13) and not bring undue attention to themselves.
*Suffering Prepares Us for Greater Glory: None of us like suffering and to be truthful we try to avoid suffering as much as possible. Paul says, “for this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison (2Corinthians 4:17-18). The Believer suffers for Jesus’ sake, is conformed to His image, places all hope in Him, thus trusting that all things work together for His purposes (Romans 8:18-30). This should cause the Believer to rejoice (1 Peter 1:6-9).
To combat any tension or ill feelings from sufferings, become intentional in practicing how to savor that The Lord is good and the many good things The Lord has placed around us.
PEARLStoPONDER: When we practice savoring Gods good gifts, the weight of the suffering lessens. The suffering is no longer magnified and the beautiful reality of Gods purpose for suffering is now the focal point thus, God getting all the glory.
Psalm 34:8-- Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
John 16:33-- I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
I don’t know any person who willingly wants to suffer. But, while we are in this world, we will always have stressors and will endure some form of suffering.
When someone is suffering the first response to the suffering is pray and read your Bible daily. Those are correct responses. However, there is something else that needs to be added to these 2 vitally important actions. SAVORING! To savor means to take, or to enjoy something completely. We must learn to savor that The Lord is Good….even in the midst of our suffering!
Think about any suffering you might be enduring. Below are 5 points on how you can from this point on view your suffering from Gods perspective:
*Suffering is Not Random: Suffering is not without purpose. God sovereignly uses circumstances to teach powerful lessons to accomplish His will. (Genesis 37-50; Hosea 3:1). Suffering causes the biblically grounded Believer to worship God, praise His providential hand and trust His loving heart, regardless if the causes of the suffering are known or unknown.
*Suffering Touched Our Savior: Jesus in the flesh experienced weariness and other human weakness. He was tempted in every way humans are yet without sin. But in the midst of His impeding suffering Jesus’ example was, “Not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). Jesus said His people would follow in His footsteps, and that would include suffering (John 15:20). The ultimate answer to suffering was at the cross when Jesus declared, “it is finished” (John 19:30). Our suffering as we follow Jesus has purpose and it will come to an end.
*Suffering Teaches Us to Seek and Trust God: As we rest and rely on Scripture, Believers can learn to respond to suffering in godly ways (Romans 12:19; Colossians 3:13). All who desire to live godly will be persecuted (2Timothy 3:12; Philippians 1:29). Even in the time of suffering Believers can seek God, find His blessings and give a powerful testimony for Christ (Matthew 5:10-11; 1Peter 2:19-20).
*Suffering Can Bring Glory to God: God sometimes allows things that are underserved, disease and disabilities, to display His marvelous work. (John 9:1-3; John 11:1-4; John 11:40). When Believers suffer people are watching and Believers’ intentions in the time of suffering should be to honor God (1 Peter 4:12-13) and not bring undue attention to themselves.
*Suffering Prepares Us for Greater Glory: None of us like suffering and to be truthful we try to avoid suffering as much as possible. Paul says, “for this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison (2Corinthians 4:17-18). The Believer suffers for Jesus’ sake, is conformed to His image, places all hope in Him, thus trusting that all things work together for His purposes (Romans 8:18-30). This should cause the Believer to rejoice (1 Peter 1:6-9).
To combat any tension or ill feelings from sufferings, become intentional in practicing how to savor that The Lord is good and the many good things The Lord has placed around us.
PEARLStoPONDER: When we practice savoring Gods good gifts, the weight of the suffering lessens. The suffering is no longer magnified and the beautiful reality of Gods purpose for suffering is now the focal point thus, God getting all the glory.
Psalm 34:8-- Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
John 16:33-- I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
