Why do we suffer?

We all go through seemingly unbearable times in our lives—trials at home, trials at work, trials in dealing and living with our neighbors—but we must maintain the proper attitude toward these trials for God's honor and glory.

This morning I read two different passages that applied to a trial I am currently experiencing. Comforting truths, indeed:

Proverbs 17:3
The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts.

"The Lord tests hearts." We are going to be tested. And that testing is likened here to refining fires—fires that cause the metals to melt completely. Not something any of us are likely to volunteer for.

Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

This is how we endure the testing of our hearts. "Do not be anxious about anything...by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." And the result of this way of enduring these trials is that "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard [our] hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

We must cling to Jesus, realize that he cares for us, realize that God is the Sovereign of the universe and has all things under control. And we must rest in that knowledge and submit to his love.

Life can be hard. In fact, life is hard. But God will comfort his own. We have been bought and paid for. If we demonstrate to a watching world the "peace that surpasses all understanding," God will be glorified in us.

Comforted--so we may comfort others

2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

It is so easy for me to feel sorry for myself when I go through tough times. I often presume to ask God why He is allowing something I don't like to happen to me. This response is not consistent with what I know of God (that He didn't just allow it to happen but rather ordained that it would happen) and it ignores the clear teaching of scripture about one of the reasons why we go through tough times.

Our suffering allows us to commiserate with others who are enduring tough times. And the comfort we gain from Christ, oftentimes through the actions of fellow believers, allows us to comfort others who are enduring tough times.

So the answer to the question, "Why, God?" is "that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

God, please show me the opportunities to share the comfort you have provided to me with others who are in need.

Moving on

After a full year of waiting for the promised follow-up from the leadership of my previous church, I have given up hope that it is forthcoming. May God intervene in the lives of these people so they bring no further disgrace to the name of Christ.

2 Timothy 2:25-26
God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.