Daily devotional, July 20, 2024 The agony
"And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you."
1 Peter 5:10
Each person has a different definition of suffering. Some may see a 30-minute wait as agonizing, while others label cancer pain as such. Some may think they are enduring too much when they have toothache, while others think of the betrayal that they suffer from their own spouse as life-shattering.
Whatever our definition of suffering, what is important is the reason why we suffer. Are we in pain, or are we receiving ill-treatment because of someone’s bad day? Are we in agony because of something that is beyond our control? Are we suffering because of a Godly decision that we made? Are we being treated unfairly because we insist on living a Christ-honoring life? Or are we undergoing struggles because of the natural consequences of our sins?
It was said that if you are suffering because of something that is beyond your control or not your own doing, then that is part of God’s plan for your life. But if you are suffering because of your own wrong choices, then do not blame God or others for what you are going through.
"But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?And If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good."
1 Peter 4:15-19
As followers of Jesus, we are being encouraged by the bible to endure suffering for the sake of righteousness. When we are doing something that is pleasing to God’s eyes, we have to take heart that we are on the right track and the Lord will be with us to help us endure.
"Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened."
1 Peter 3:14-15
In the Sermon of the Mount, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Himself assures us that when we suffer for doing good things to please Him, making the right choices, and for serving His kingdom, His hand of blessing will be upon us as we enter eternal life.
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
Matthew 5:11-12
And so, in the face of the sufferings that we may experience we should ask ourselves are we suffering for doing what is right, or are we suffering because we succumbed to our own will and pursuit of worldly things?
"Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all."
Psalm 34:19
In this world where “no pain, no gain” is glorified, and people endure pain for beauty or for self-expression, we ought to make our suffering more purposeful. Since our life here on earth will never be pain-free, let us pray to have the courage to choose to endure suffering for outcomes that please our Lord and Savior — at least for the difficulties that we can choose to face. For when we do, we will at least have purpose in our pain and we will be one with Christ. Besides, the Bible tells us that suffering molds our character.
"Not only that but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."
Romans 5:3-5
As humans we are capable of choosing to a certain degree, the kind of suffering that we will face. Some are willing to endure the wrath of their parents just to be with the person that they love. Others are willing to undergo shame just to make a statement about their causes. Others close their eyes on the possible pain they may suffer in the name of pleasure, convenience, comfort, or even power and prestige.
But what about suffering for doing what is right? Even in this fallen world, we still hear of people’s willingness to march for the causes of the physically impoverished.Those who take to the witness stand to help shed light to the truth even in the face of danger. To fight for injustice even at the expense of their own freedom.
Some even endure day-to-day discomfort to reach out to others who have yet to meet Christ, to heal the sick, shelter the orphans, and comfort the grieving. We can choose the same path too, even in a small way.
"For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too."
2 Corinthians 1:5
So what are these pains that we can choose to endure? Here are some practical examples:
1. Suffering for making the right choices
2. Insisting to live a God-honoring life in spite of bullying or exclusion.
3. Participating in charitable works and missions despite the inconvenience and discomfort
4. Reaching out to others at the expense of our time, treasures, and comfort.
We can train ourselves in Christlikeness, even in the face of pain. When we see our Lord as the God of all comfort, and receive comfort and encouragement from him, we can certainly be a vessel that could provide the needed warmth of those who are also in pain.
"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."
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on 1 Peter 3:8-22 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: Are you suffering because of your own choices, or are you suffering because of the Godly-choices you made?
Conversation with the Lord: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for being our source of comfort amidst all our sufferings. Please do not let go of my hand, and be with me through it all. Also, allow me to be there for others too. Amen.
