Helpful or Harmful

Suffering can be a great deal like owning a pet. There will be those days when your pet will anticipate your every need, and obey your commands perfectly. Of course, at other times your pet may decide to assert their individuality, and do whatever they want as they totally ignore you, the owner.

Suffering is similar to the above illustration. You rarely have any power in preventing it from happening. The attitude you possess as you move through this process is the only thing you have any control over.

During suffering…

1.   Individuals can turn to God for understanding, endurance, and deliverance; or instead they can become hardened and reject divine assistance.

2.   Individuals can ask important questions we might not take time to think about in our normal routine; or instead they can refuse to inquire (and miss out on life lessons that could be advantageous for them).

3.   Individuals can be prepared for affliction by identifying with and comforting others who suffer; or instead they can allow suffering to make them self-absorbed and egotistical (as a means of emotional protection).

4.   Individuals are ready to learn from a trustworthy loving Heavenly Father, or instead they reject the Almighty’s ability to bring something truly beautiful out of tragedy.

5.   Individuals are open to being helped by others who are obeying God; or instead they withdraw from the assistance others can provide.

6.   Individuals realize they can identify with Christ’s suffering (on the cross); or instead they can accuse God of being unfair and possibly cause others to also refuse Him as well.

7.   Individuals are sensitive to the amount of suffering in the world; or instead they refuse to be open to any type of change in their lives.

These useful hints won’t eliminate all your suffering (all the time), but hopefully they will provide you with some kind of game plan the next time affliction is headed in your direction. God will always encourage you to do what 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT) commands you to do all the time.

“Give all your worries and cares to God; for He cares about you.” Your Heavenly Father wants you to come to Him with anything that’s on your mind. He’s there for you 24/7. That is a promise you can depend on for as long as your life here on Earth exists.

*Adapted from the article, “How Suffering Affects Us,” from The Life Application Bible, New International Version edition.