suffering…

For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him… that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death…

Philippians 3:8-10 ESV

The world says suffering is bad…

The Word says suffering is for our good…

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith — more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire — may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1Peter 1:6-7 ESV

To share in Christ’s sufferings… which are rooted in His wholly loving others in the Father’s name… is to love like Him…

Any loss or cost accrued… in loving others like Jesus does… is really no loss at all… it is ALL gain…

[Photo by Karim MANJRA on Unsplash]

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. For as we bear abundantly in Christ’s suffering, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.

2Corinthians 1:3-5 ESV

Sharing in Christ’s sufferings… learning to wholly love others in His name… leads to comfort from the Father’s mercies… mercies which are new every morning…

In His comfort… love… grace… and mercy… we learn how to comfort others in their affliction… whether the suffering is from their own sin… or the sin of another against them…

God’s comfort is for sharing… it is for the building of His Kingdom…

Without suffering… we need no comfort…

Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

1Peter 4:19 ESV

The good He calls us to do… is laying down our lives to love others… just like He did…

Jesus suffered for love… all the way to death… and not just any death…

death… on… a… cross…

In dying to self… we suffer only temporary losses… because in Him… the eternal comfort and blessing… will be beyond anything we can ever imagine on earth…

…to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Philippians 1:21 ESV

Sharing in Christ’s sufferings… in the pursuit of loving like Him… brings glory to God… and good to those who believe…

Are your suffering these days…? loving others in His name…?

Has He allowed pain in your life…? does it draw you closer to Him…? or are you pushing Him away…?

Consider how your suffering… just might be for your good…

Surrender the whole concept of suffering to Him… what it means… how He wants to use it…

He will encourage… and comfort you… in your sufferings…