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.
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