1 Peter 1:6

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.” 1 Peter 1:6

The third favorite lie of Satan is you will never suffer as a Christian. Even Jesus as the Son of Man suffered. Hebrews 5:7-8 “During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered…” Nowhere in the Scriptures is there promise of a life without suffering. Many times deciding to join Christ and walk the road with Him leads to different kinds of suffering. Anything from people criticizing or making judgments of you to actual physical affliction or even death. Sometimes we suffer due to our own poor decisions other times we can suffer due to bad decisions of others. Suffering is part of life here on planet earth. The righteous and the unrighteous both suffer. Yet the suffering of a believer does not have to be in vain. God can take our suffering and use it. Not only does suffering help build character and perseverance it can also refocus us on the Lord. Sometimes when we are suffering the most is when God is using us the most mightily. For me at times for they’re to be any type of impact on my life there has to be suffering. I know some of my closest and most life transforming times with God have come out of my own personal suffering. When we suffer we also attract others to us who are suffering as well and that gives us the opportunity to share our faith and minister to them. People are more open to God many times when they are hurting. Jesus knew in advance that He would suffer. He spoke of His death and suffering to His disciples “He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again”. Mark 8:31 Suffering is a part if life, but know in advance God can use your suffering for His glory. Also, know that Jesus knows about suffering and understands what you are going through.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Lori