Jesus Answers about Suffering
Category : Lent Devotions
Romans 5:3-5
3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Sometimes when we share the gospel on the street, the most common reasons why people reject the gospel is because of the subject of suffering. Having experienced suffering, loss and pains is one of the biggest barriers to believe in God. A question like “How could an all-powerful and all-loving God allow so much suffering?”. Some world views and religions do not offer a consoling answer to this difficult question. Consult a Monk, he will answer you that your suffering is not real and it’s just an illusion. Consult a Hindu Guru when you’re experiencing suffering, pain or loss and he will tell you it’s your Karma and you deserved it because of your past life. Consult a Muslim and he will tell you it’s a punishment. Ask an Atheist and he will just tell you that it is but natural without meaning and reasons, it’s just cosmic luck. But only Jesus offers a meaningful coherent answer on this subject.
My mother has passed away recently. At the beginning I couldn’t process the mixed emotions of pains and sorrows that I experienced. When I asked my Lord Jesus, He validated my feelings about suffering and loss as He himself experienced it in John 11:33-35.
He is always all the way alongside me to show the depth of His love. He also brings meaning through it by shaping my character, He reassures me of my eternal hope in Him (Romans 5:3-5). I have peace in my heart that my mother is in the presence of the Lord blissfully. She is now experiencing a higher dimension of peace, joy and Agape love because she is now in the presence of God who Himself is love.
17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,
2 Corinthians 4:17
For our momentary, light distress [this passing trouble] is producing for us an eternal weight of glory [a fullness] beyond all measure [surpassing all comparisons, a transcendent splendor and an endless blessedness]!
Have you ever considered Jesus’ answers about suffering through the lens of His eternal promise of endless blessedness?
Thank you Father for your lavish love, comfort and peace. Thank you Lord Jesus for being alongside us, when we experience sufferings and giving us assurance of eternal hope, joy and endless blessedness of your beautiful glorious presence. Amen.