Brothers and sisters, what does suffering mean? The question, what have I done to suffer the way I do, why do people suffer? Hospital beds, cemetery?
Apostle Paul suffered, on his way to Damascus his life changed. Paul suffered three shipwrecks, including one involving a night and a day adrift on the open sea. He was imprisoned and repeatedly flogged and beaten as well as stoned, Paul was left to die. He had been in danger of robbers as well as Jews and Gentiles including false Christians. He knew many cold and sleepless nights, hunger, and thirst for days, plus, he was constantly anxious for all the churches, because of what he had learned about God and His faithfulness through all this suffering. The book of Roman 5:3-5; 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 tells us, Paul declares, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” For how will He, (God) “who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, not also with Him graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:31-32) God is love. (1 John 4:8) These convictions enabled Paul to believe God when God assured him, he would save him and his shipmates. Though the light of this world’s sun and stars disappeared, Paul trusted God because of what He was told in his dream.
What has God told you? Please hold on to your promise because He is faithful.
Paul suffered much on his way to Rome, and his head was chopped off. He died a brutal death. Is suffering part of life? The suffering of this life is not permanent because Jesus Christ will return one day, and the suffering of this world will come to an end.
St. Augustine Affirm. “Because God is so good, He will bring goodness into this world.” God became man and dwelt among us to teach us the truth and we hung Him on the Cross. His shed blood, much suffering, shame, hunger and thirst, nakedness, bruised body, and much more, all for the sake of love.
Paul took all his sufferings as a privilege because he loved the Lord. Do you love the Lord enough to suffer for Him?
Is your marriage suffering? Much verbal and physical abuses? Your job? Your business? No friends to talk to? Take courage for Jesus loves you. He will restore all things.
Amen!!