Fellowship of His Suffering

During times of suffering we are often like horses champing at the bit—eager to get out of the undesirable situation and back to more comfortable circumstances.  It is one of the mysteries of God why He has chosen sufferings to bring us “forth as gold”.  We learn in the Bible that Job was a man who feared God, was perfect and upright; and yet, he greatly suffered.  He suffered the death of all of his children, the loss of all of his wealth, as well as the loss of his health: but it was he that said, “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold”—Job 23:10.  And he did come forth as gold following his season of suffering, because Job learned a deeper understanding of God’s glory and majesty as well as the great dependence man truly has upon God.  

Take some time to listen to this segment from Dr. Williams:

Segment

It is through suffering that we find God’s grace IS sufficient and His strength IS made perfect in our weakness.  It is during seasons of suffering that the Holy Spirit in us is able to reveal the deeper truths of God’s Word to us, and as the Savior learned obedience through the things which He suffered, so can we.  We can know Him in the fellowship of His sufferings when we become still and listen so that we cease to build our castles in the sky, cease to pursue our own selfish wills, discontinue being cambered with much busyness, and rest in the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ learning of Him.  

I remember a time when I experienced a time of physical pain when I took a severe fall over the front of my bicycle while riding down a steep hill by our house.  A slight wind began to blow my ball cap off my head so I reflexively lifted my left hand to grab my cap, and without thinking I must have gripped tighter with my right hand on the handle bar, which also included the front brake; and in so doing, my bike stopped abruptly while I was catapulted over the handle bars landing on the pavement head first. On the drive to the hospital the excruciating pain I was experiencing was building up in me a panic/anxiety attack that was threatening to overwhelm me, so I began (I’m sure by the guidance of the Holy Spirit in me) to thank the Lord.  I thanked Him that He was with me, that He wouldn’t leave nor forsake me, that He was overseeing this entire situation, and in the middle of my thank you’s to the Lord  this all consuming thought flooded my mind, (again, by the Holy Spirit’s guidance) How much Jesus suffered for me!  Immediately my anxieties were quieted, and though the pain didn’t lessen, it wasn’t as overwhelming anymore.  I have thought back on that  many times since my husband’s passing, and I have been reminded that my times of suffering are special appointed times of deeper fellowship with my Beloved Savior.  I still have to say to myself, Breathe, don’t panic. Be still, don’t despair.  The Lord Jesus knows, and He is there.  However, I am learning to see God’s hand working in my suffering to show me His great heart of love for me.  He loved the world so much that He went through suffering greater than any of us so that we could know this precious fellowship with Him.  I don’t know what suffering you’re experiencing right now, but may I encourage you to remember that He is praying for you, He understands first hand what suffering is like, and He will help you through it every step of the way.  You are loved with an everlasting love!  He hasn’t forsaken any of us!

Reflections:

1. When you face suffering, are you trying to escape it—or are you asking God what He wants to teach you through it?

2. Today, when you feel overwhelmed, pause, be still, and remind yourself that His grace is sufficient and He is with you.

   
   

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