UNPACK This...Finding Purpose in Our Sufferingਨਮੂਨਾ

So Many Injuries

The enjoyment of watching our favorite NFL teams play comes with witnessing numerous injuries. In some ways, we're so used to all the injuries that when another player gets hurt, we think, "Here we go again."

Fans can quickly become jaded, worried, or bitter about the prevalence of injuries in football. However, the better alternative is to show compassion and understand the value of perseverance.

There seems to be suffering everywhere in our lives. We are used to dealing with painful issues, so when we see ourselves getting hurt, we can say to ourselves, "Here we go again."

As followers of Jesus, suffering is a part of our time (and growth) on earth before we experience the fullness of His glory in paradise for eternity.

We're told in 1 Peter 4:12-13: "Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in His suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing His glory when it is revealed to all the world."

So what should we do with "injuries" being such a big part of our life?

We can prepare to handle injuries by continually building our faith to respond with the right mindset and perspective.

We can properly understand that "injuries" will happen without being cynical.

Finally, we can look for opportunities to comfort others who are suffering.

Today, let's continue finding hope and peace in the God who rescues and comforts us.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God" (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

I'm Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please teach me to have the proper perspective of suffering. I pray that through experiencing Your comfort, I will know how to comfort others. I'm so grateful the suffering will end when I join You in paradise someday. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.