Persevering Through Suffering
Are you in a hard place in life, struggling, tired, exhausted, depressed, or feeling defeated? God’s Word tells us a few things about this in Romans 5:3-5 and Jeremiah 12:5 dealing with suffering. In fact, God’s Word tell us to glory in our tribulations. Do we glory in our tribulations? This is something that the flesh does not want to do and this can only be achieved by the power of Jesus Christ who’s peace surpasses all understanding.
Philippians 4:7
“and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
God gives us peace and this peace that Jesus gives us looks different than the world.
John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Persevering through our suffering can be very difficult. However, God tells us in His Word 365 times for us to NOT be afraid and that if we persevere, we will NOT be disappointed.
Romans 5:3-5
“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
So many times in life, I feel like people say if you are a follower of Jesus you will not suffer. This is simply NOT true. As a matter of fact, Jesus promises us we will suffer. Matthew 24:9 says, “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.” Think about stories like Job. Job suffered greatly. Think even about Jesus. He was the Son of God. Someone like Jesus who never deserved to suffer because He was without sin, suffered the most.
As Christians through Christ alone, we are called to learn how to persevere. 2 Timothy 2:1-7 says, “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. 5 And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. 7 Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.”
The drought for us has been hard as a farm. However, because we persevered, though we did not understand it, God took care of us. Not only did He take care of us He revealed where all of our water veins were on our land because everything was so dead and dry. This saved us 60,000 dollars and even more truthfully. Not only that but He also took care of us and our animals through the drought.
Just remember if you are someone who is struggling and going through hard times, God is right there with you. The blessing far out weigh the loss. In the stories like Job and Jesus there were so many good things at the end of those stories. The same will be true of us if we but persevere to the end and we will NOT be disappointed. 🙂
Jeremiah 12:5
“If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, Then how can you contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, In which you trusted, they wearied you,
Then how will you do in the floodplain of the Jordan?”
Stay in His steps.
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God bless 🙌
