* Troubled On Every Side, Yet Not Distressed

Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, 

arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: 

for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 

1 Peter 4:1

We, as believers and followers after Christ Jesus, don't always know the reason why we suffer but when we continue to trust God, we know that the outcome is always going to work out for the good. 

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.  Romans 8:28

Trusting God means getting to a point in our relationship with God where we may not understand what our suffering is about while we're in the midst of it but we understand that God is sovereign and there is not a situation on earth that He cannot intervene and turn it to good according to His will. Because of this trust, we can go through our suffering; encouraged to go through difficult situations the way the scriptures outline:

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4

When we suffer, we have to go through as a good soldier; not with a defeated attitude, with a head hung down persona, but with our head held high secure in the knowledge that God is in full control of our situation and He will work it out. There are many ways in which God will work in the midst of your situation:

→      TO MANIFEST THE WORKS OF GOD:  

When the disciples saw a man who had been blind from birth, they asked who was responsible for his condition. Was it the sin of his parents or of the man himself? Jesus answered:  

Neither this man sinned nor His parents; but that the works of God should be made manifest in Him.  John 9:3

→      TO PERFECT THE POWER OF GOD:    

Apostle Paul's suffering  and his resultant prayers lead God  to let Him know His strength is made perfect in our struggle: 

And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  2 Corinthians 12:9

→      TO REMOVE THAT WHICH IS UNSTABLE:  

Suffering results in all that is unstable being shaken out of your life. You cease to depend on people, programs, or material things as these all fail in your time of need.  God moves in when He has to; consider his words,

Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised , saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.   Hebrews 12:26-27

During the storms of life, everything crumbles that is not built upon God and His Word (Psalm 111:8-9 and Matthew 7:24-27).

→     TO CHANGE YOUR FOCUS:  

When we experience suffering we often focus our attention on cause and effect. We are concerned with what caused the difficult circumstances and the terrible effect it is having in our life. God wants to change our focus from struggling to understand the temporal situation to recognizing the benefits of the eternal:   

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.  2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.  1 Peter 4:12-13

→      TO CHANGE THE OLD SELF-NATURE:  

God said of the nation of Moab:  

Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on his lees, and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither hath he gone into captivity; therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed.   Jeremiah 48:11  

Because Moab had not experienced the troublesome pouring out and stirring similar to that necessary to develop good wine, the nation did not change. Moab was at ease and settled in prosperity and because of this did not properly develop and mature  spiritually. Therefore there was no change. His "own scent" remained in him.  

Suffering rids you of the old self-nature. As you are stirred, troubled, and poured out, your spiritual scent changes from carnal to spiritual.

→      TO PREPARE YOU FOR MINISTRY:  

Don’t let your desire take you farther than your integrity can handle!

It is through affliction that you move beyond the calling as a child of God to become chosen of God. Affliction according to the will of God refines you for His use just as metals are refined in a furnace in the natural world.  You have asked to be used by God. You desire to be more like Jesus and prayed to be a chosen vessel for His use. The answer to your prayer may come through suffering:  

Behold I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.   Isaiah 48:10

→      TO PREPARE YOU TO REIGN WITH CHRIST:  

If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him, if we deny him, he also will deny us:  2 Timothy 2:12

If you are suffering through a difficult situation and still don't see yourself or situation in any of the situations listed above, read my related blog:

- Shaken But Not Moved




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