Suffering is a part of life, and certainly, a part of death. When we look around, most of us picture the people surrounding us as living carefree and painless lives, but truthfully, suffering is the uninvited friend who gregariously introduces himself to us all, eventually. While God may desire for His followers to be “set apart” from the world, at the same time He does not ensure that our suffering disappears or even dwindles. In fact, that suffering potentially can increase as a believer.
"God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world." – C.S. Lewis
By looking at how God responded to the Jews, His chosen people, we can draw a direct correlation of how He views each of us as believers.
9“For My name’s sake I will defer My anger,
And for My praise I will restrain it from you,
So that I do not cut you off.
10Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver;
I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.
11For My own sake, for My own sake, I will do it;
For how should My name be profaned?
And I will not give My glory to another.
Isaiah 48:9-11
Affliction became God’s furnace toward the Israelites, as He purified them under fire. In metallurgy, silver can be purified by either refining or smelting, with the major difference being that smelting slightly alters the chemical composition. Instead, heating silver purifies it without changing the chemical composition. In a similar manner, God allows us to be tested under fire to separate our flesh and our spirit. As we grow as Christians, that disobedient flesh should dissipate. At the same time, Christ dwelling in us, the Spirit, becomes more pure. Yet we will not be perfected until God burns away the wood, hay and stubble of our lives. Then the precious gems will be all that remain.
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
Titus 2:11-14
Purification can be a painful process because of our disobedience. There are times when we willfully choose to sin, regardless of God’s laws or impact in our lives, and it in those times when we are destined to suffer. Yet we cannot always draw a correlation between suffering and our own disobedient decisions. Suffering is part of God’s process of drawing us closer. When life is proceeding on a peaceful path, we often can take that ease for granted. When life is incredible, we often take responsibility for that success, based on our own talents, abilities and decisions. Paul gives us a perfect perspective in 1 Corinthians 1:29, “that no flesh should glory in His presence.” Pride always gets in the way, and we need a constant reminder that all we are, all we have and all we do are because of God’s grace! On the other hand, when times are tough, we reach out to God. “Help me, Lord, for I cannot endure this without You!”
When we become Christians, all of our sins are forgiven. When we sin again, God carries us back to that place of repentance, so that He can make us fine again. In that way, we are “re-fined!” Humble yourself in the eyes of the Lord. Regardless of where you are on the path of suffering, trust in Him, for He cares for you!
8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.
James 4:8-10
But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
1 Peter 5:10
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