Made with Love

It is surprisingly hard to be sad, don’t you think? Feelings of loneliness and heartache are hard to embrace, yet they are a significant part of life.  Sadness is inevitable; where there is hope on this earth, there is heartache. But we know that to those who love God, He works all things out for their good. [Romans 8:28]

So how do we see our present suffering as the best gift we could possibly receive from the Father who knows and loves us the most?

When I trust myself to acquire what I need, I will convince myself that I need what I desire more than anything else. When I trust other people, they will convince me that I need whatever I appear to lack. When I trust God, He convinces me that I need Him, and then He meets my needs. [Luke 12:28-31; Matthew 6:30-33; Psalm 34:8]

The first step to viewing suffering as a gift is to trust the One who gave it.

When I trust God, that He only gives good and perfect gifts, I believe that His Word is the best gift He gave me. [James 1:17-18] Then I treasure it. [Psalm 119:9-16] I can’t live without it because I deeply desire to believe someone who promises to keep me safe. But I don’t always believe He will keep His promise �" as if I could change His mind. [Job 10:12]

When I do not trust God, I begin to trust myself. I want what I do not have and will manipulate the situation. Where God would have me suffer, I shield myself from pain. If I trusted Him, I would obey His commands and praise Him in every situation instead of finding temporary and dissatisfying comfort in rebellion. [Galatians 6:7; James 1:14]

When I do not trust God, I begin to depend on other people. Scripture is irrelevant in my present situation, and I would rather hear a friend’s comfort than read small black letters on a thin white page. My hope is heavy with mixed thoughts. The counsel I receive conflicts. I remain indecisive because I have no foundation to be confident in. [Proverbs 29:25]

This foundation, the promises of God’s love, is essential to understanding our present suffering. Find rest, knowing that while there is pain in our lives, we have faith in that He is refining us like gold; and our faith is a joy to place on Christ’s shoulders because it produces steadfastness in us �" it is best for us to know the glory of our Redeemer. And as He transforms us to be more like Himself, we will understand why that is best. We will begin to love God’s law and meditate on His precepts because they protect us from the sinfulness that resides within our flesh; and they guard our heart from temptation so that we know and become more like the One who loves us and gave us such a wonderful gift.

Reviews

[Moomin]

Your words are profound and provoking. I applaud your faith and I understand your frustrations.

One observation I would like to make, if I may?

You describe suffering as a "Gift" from God, to make us strong. yet, that is not what i have personally read in the Bible. God's word clearly states "When under trial, let no-one say "I am being tried by God." For with evil things God cannot be tried, nor does he himself try anyone."

Suffering is not from God but, it will be removed by God, when "Thy Kingdom comes, thy will is done on earth, as it is in heaven."


Sorry to ramble but, I don't want our heavenly father to be blamed for things that we or the devil cause.

Good writing.

I wish you peace.

Moomin