Over the last few months, I have felt the Holy Spirit persistently speaking to me about suffering. The weight of glory pertains to suffering. The cost of discipleship pertains to suffering. Even childbirth pertains to suffering. What does the Lord want us to understand about suffering?
Is it a “grace” disguised? Does God capitalize on suffering to produce a greater good?
I do not have all of the answers but I have a stirring to seek out this matter.
This week, I want to share some verses I’ve been meditating on. Let’s ask God for more revelation into His purpose around suffering. We believe that God is not the author of suffering, yet He can make good on what our adversaries intend for evil.
“Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.”
Hebrews 5:8 ESV
“How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it. Matthew 7:14
“Beloved friends, if life gets extremely difficult, with many tests, don’t be bewildered as though something strange was overwhelming you. Instead, continue to rejoice, for you, in a measure, have shared in the sufferings of the Anointed One so that you can share in the revelation of his glory and celebrate with even greater gladness!”
1 Peter 4:12-13 TPT
But [in fact] He has borne our griefs, And He has carried our sorrows and pains; Yet we [ignorantly] assumed that He was stricken, Struck down by God and degraded and humiliated [by Him]. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was crushed for our wickedness [our sin, our injustice, our wrongdoing]; The punishment [required] for our well-being fell on Him, And by His stripes (wounds) we are healed.
Isaiah 53:4-5
I invite you to sit with the Lord and listen to His heart around these verses. Journal your thoughts.
Prayer for the United Body of Christ:
Song of Songs 8:7
The Passion Translation
Rivers of pain and persecution will never extinguish this flame. Endless floods will be unable to quench this raging fire that burns within you. Everything will be consumed. It will stop at nothing as you yield everything to this furious fire until it won’t even seem to you like a sacrifice anymore.
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