As a young woman, I sat in the congregation, with my legs crossed and listened as the preacher talked about “suffering.” I remember thinking, “I ain’t suffering for nobody.” However, I have since swallowed those words, seemingly, a thousand times. I have suffered in my lifetime. I asked God why did he give me certain situations and circumstances to suffer through and he said, “How can you know me unless you share in my suffering?” He also said, “Pensacola, you are my heart and the mouthpiece for my heart.” Two important things here: I was called to be the mouthpiece for God’s heart and it involved getting to know him. Part of getting to know him meant I had to share in the fellowship of his suffering. “I want to know Christ--yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death…”(Philippians 3:10 NIV). “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death…”(Philippians 3:10 KJV).
Genre: RELIGION / GeneralI DON'T KNOW
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
DO YOU KNOW YOU LOVE GOD?
“…Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” (Job 2:10 NIV).
*
As is my custom, I like to start out with some “food for thought.” We all stumble with “suffering,” We stumble over the purpose of suffering, the process of suffering, the details of suffering, the various circumstances of suffering, and God’s allowance of suffering.
Suffering comes through tests or trials and should be considered a joyful opportunity. “…My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations…” (James 1:2 KJV). I can’t say I’ve consider any test or trial joy.
I have found joy through the test and I have gained joy from the test. Even though, my tests have brought me great joy and incredible blessings; I have yet to “…count it all joy…”
| Language | Status |
|---|---|
|
Spanish
|
Translation in progress.
Translated by Diego Alejandro Muñoz Aliaga
|
