When going through
suffering, whether that suffering is due to outside influence or our own doing,
we tend to become distracted. We focus
more on the suffering and pain we are experiencing rather than the lesson we
are to learn through the experience.
Those of us who are parents
can understand this type of distraction when it comes to disciplining our
children. When a punishment is enforced
it is usually the pain and suffering experienced that receives most of the
focus from the child. In the moment, the
child is distracted by the punishment instead of focusing on the desired lesson
being taught through the discipline. And
for many it is only after the pain and suffering is over that the lesson can be
seen.
The same can be said about
the disciple of Christ and the suffering experienced in this world. If we find ourselves in the midst of a trial
or suffering, our focus tends to be on ending the pain experienced instead of
learning the lesson intended behind the pain.
You see, suffering, whether large or small, will happen in our
lives. Sometimes that suffering is
caused by the hand of God while other times suffering is caused by sin in the
world and our own hearts.
God speaks on this subject
in James 5:13-15. It is a passage which
speaks of suffering and pain, healing and joy.
But the true reason for God’s words to us in this passage moves beyond
the suffering and the joy.
Join us on Sunday morning
as we study and discover what God has to say about how the disciple of Jesus
Christ is to respond to suffering. May
the Spirit prepare us to hear His Word.
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