Chose Your Suffering

Call To Prayer 

Title: Chose Your Suffering 

Date: 14.10.2023 

By: Njuacha Hubert 

So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. 1 Peter 4: 19 

There are some fundamental realities we must come to terms with to better navigate this life. One of those is that everybody suffers. We all experience different seasons from an easy season to a difficult season and back and forth. This is regardless of whether you are a Christian or not. As long you are born, your welcome to planet Suffering. The economics indeed rightly say “Human wants are unsatiable”. You might admire the rich kid and say oh he must be happy, but you forget that he is rich financially but might be poor in other aspects. (be grateful for yours)

When we became born again you might have experienced some profound peace and happiness, and it seemed like all our problems had ended. But after some time, you start to face temptations again, trials and persecution and you might start wondering “was it better being of the world?”. But no sooner or later those of the world also encounter hardship (worst of all, hell fire). You suffer persecution, the other suffers shameful disgrace. You suffer discipline and resisting to flow with the inordinate feelings, the other suffers addiction, shame and regret. So, we all suffer, the question is, is your suffering in vain or bearing fruits for this life and the eternal? Are you suffering at the start (believer) or at the end(unbeliever)?  

As believers, it is not good when we are caught unaware or surprised because of suffering and begin to blame it on the attack of the enemy as if God is not powerful enough to protect us. Yes, you might call it the attack of the enemy, but it is appointed to build us not to destroy if not God will not allow it (Romans 8:28). In fact, if you don’t experience any form of persecution, it might indicate you are just one with the world and you know the friendship with the world is enmity with God (James 4:4). So, if you experience someone insulting you because you are in Christ, it should hit you that “wow the glory of the Lord is upon me (1 Peter 4:14)”. “Wow so I was found worthy to suffer for Christ’s sake too (Acts 5: 41)”.

Let’s encourage one another in the faith because it is not easy at times. Let’s be steadfast in prayer because only by God’s grace can we continue praising God in trials. Let’s always listen and read the word of God in different forms because the righteous live by faith and faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17).  

Prayer Point 

Let’s thank God for His word. Let’s pray for God to help us find strength and comfort in His word and presence in our hour of suffering.