God's PromisesMinta

HE WILL BRING GOOD OUT OF SUFFERING How would you respond if someone encouraged you in your suffering by telling you that there is a great opportunity in the hurt, hardship, and sadness you are experiencing? Is that even Biblical or shown throughout the scriptures? If that encouragement is shared with a "Buck up brother, it's not so bad" heart rather than an empathetic heart, it does not have God's heart or the scripture's instruction. It is James who shares – "Suffering...what a great opportunity for joy!" Huh?? Why? Suffering has a way of stripping away the things that so easily entangle us, capturing our attention and affection and distracting us from God. It is frequently in our suffering that we refocus on God because we are desperate for Him. It was in the heat of the desert the Israelites met their provider God – fresh manna every day. It was in the belly of the great fish that Jonah offered a repentant prayer and experienced God's grace. It was the threat of genocide that grew Esther's and the Israelites, dependence on God for rescue. It was the cup of wrath that Jesus chose to drink that freed anyone who would come to believe from a torturous eternity apart from the Lord. It is in times of suffering that we experience the greatest intimacy with God simply because we are desperate for Him. If you are suffering, hold fast to God with desperation because He is your life and hope. If you are not suffering, hold fast to God with desperation because He is your life and hope. Scott Moon, Skagit Campus Pastor