Read: Isaiah 61:1-3
I became fatherless at the tender age of five. But mourning came later; much, much later; gradually, in increments of age and certain occasions.
I mourned years later when I stumbled upon photos of my eight months pregnant mother, my two younger siblings, aged four and three, and the five-year-old me in front of the coffin, all with blank stares.
I mourned when I started to wonder what it would be like to have a father.
I mourned when I realized our mother endured the heartbreaking pain of being away from her own children in order to look after other people’s children so that we can be provided with our needs.
That made me grow up without a mother by my side, so I mourned deducing I didn’t only lose my father, I lost my mother, too.
Oftentimes one instance of pain and suffering leads to more pain and suffering.
How about you? What’s your story? I’m sure you’ve had your own share of suffering.
That’s because none of us is immune to suffering. Suffering encroaches us all because of its nature – it is a product of humanity’s sin against God. We are all sinners so all of us are subject to suffering. Sin permeates all of creation, therefore, suffering is known by all creation. Nature is suffering because of man’s striving to live and his desire to make his life easier. We’re living in a broken world.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. There’s good news! The antidote to suffering is suffering itself, thanks to the all powerful, all wise, gracious, and loving God who created the entire universe!
Nothing is too broken for God not to use for His own glory and purpose. He used suffering, that of His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to give solution to the problem of sin, the culprit for suffering.
Christ suffered so that we may be eased, comforted, helped, and eventually be totally freed from suffering.
Christ’s sufferings brought about tremendous blessings to humanity: forgiveness of sins, eternal life, a spiritual framework for our own sufferings, making us hopeful, resilient, Christlike.
Truly God is able to use suffering to bless us. In my case, my mother’s quest for a greener pasture led her here in Canada where I came to know the saving grace and love of God.
Think about your own suffering, past and present. How has God used those hard times to bring about blessings in your life? Think about your suffering now, and believe God is able to turn mourning to joy, ashes for beauty, and crying to laughter.
Because of Christ, suffering takes on a new meaning for us.
As we delve deeper into our meditations, we’ll learn more about the truths about suffering as it relates to our being children of God.
For now, ponder upon the idea that God used suffering, that of His own Son, to turn our suffering into victory. So if you’re suffering now, just hang in there. God has your back.
Until tomorrow. God bless!
Reflect:
What kind of suffering have you been through? How did God use those suffering to bring about blessings in your life?
How does your faith in Christ affect your perspective and attitude towards suffering?
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