Most people seem to be on the same page when it comes to giving God the credit for
the good things in life. But who determines exactly what the "good" things are? For
those who suffer from severe pain and health problems, can they say what they live with
are the good things? What about those that suffer the loss of precious loved ones, the
loss of jobs or homes? Suffering is hard, it is real, it knows no racial, geographical, or
cultural limitations, it is universal. What is the purpose of suffering in the believers life?
Romans 5:3 - 5 "...but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulations
worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience hope: and hope
maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by
the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."
For the true believer, suffering is used by God to make us more into the image of His
dear Son. The verse tells us that "we glory in tribulations." How can one glory in
tribulations. First lets looks at what the word "glory" means. By definitions it is,
"whatever brings honor, praise or adoration." This does not mean that we are honored,
praised or adored, but that God is. Tribulation in our lives should bring honor, praise
and adoration to God.
In John chapter 11 we read the story of Lazarus. Jesus loved this man and his family,
and He was grieved when Lazarus died. However, this is what Jesus said about the
death of His friend in verse 4, When Jesus heard that, (Lazarus had died) He said,
This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God
might be glorified thereby. Gods glory, power and majesty was shown in the
miraculous resurrection of Lazarus from the grave. We find out in verse 45 that many
or the Jews that witnessed this miracle believed on the Lord that day.
I had a very dear friend that died nearly two years ago from cancer. He suffered a
long pain-filled illness. Yet through it all, he radiated complete and utter trust in
his Lord and Savior. He saw opportunities to witness to people, that never would
have happened except for his illness. People were saved at his funeral because of
the vibrant testimony he exhibited despite all that happened. God was gloried,
praised and adored because of his suffering.
We read in Romans 6:6 "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him
(Jesus) that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not
serve sin." Our lives should be given over to bringing glory to God...we should not
serve sin. This means that our actions, motives, attitudes should be Christ honoring.
How do you react when "bad" things happen in your life? Are you serving sin by
responding in the flesh? Or do your reactions show to others that you are glorifying,
praising and adoring God for the trials, because you know that they are for your good?
Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love
God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.
The purpose of every believer is to point sinners to our wonderful Savior. People are
watching you. They know that you are a Christian...but are you Christ-like? Are
your reactions to trials showing your faith in God? The Apostle Paul had this to say
about tribulations. Romans 8:35 - 39 "Who shall separate us from the love of
Christ Shall tribulations, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness,
or peril, or sword? As it is written, For Thy sake we are killed all the day long;
we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all things we are more than
conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death,
nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things
to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate
us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. There was no doubt
in the minds of those who knew Paul, that his complete trust was in his God whom
he served. They had witnessed Paul persecuted, beaten, shipwrecked, near death, yet
through all these tribulations Paul had given God the glory.
Do we have that type of faith in the will of God in our lives? The Apostle Paul knew
that no matter what the Lord permitted in his life, that he could find his strength in
the Him...in all things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.
What an incredible testimony. How do you measure up today?. Do you spend your
days lamenting over your problems, or do your praise God for His help in bringing
you through them? Do not define Gods good things by the worlds thinking.
Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they
shall mount up with wings as eagles: they shall run, and not be weary; and they
shall walk, and not faint.
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