“If you will call your troubles experiences, and remember that every experience develops some latent force within you, you will grow vigorous and happy, however adverse your circumstances may seem to be.”
-John Heywood
And Jesus said to him, "Truly I say to you, that you yourself this very night, before a cock crows twice, shall three times deny Me." 31 But Peter kept saying insistently, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!" And they all were saying the same thing, too. (Mark 14:31 NASB)And immediately a cock crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had made the remark to him, "Before a cock crows twice, you will deny Me three times." And he began to weep. (Mark 14:72 NASB)
What went wrong? Peter had no idea that under pressure, he would one day deny Christ. He thought he knew himself and what he could handle; however, Jesus knew better. Once trouble came, what was truly in Peter was exposed.
We too sometimes think we are in a certain place and will respond to situations in a certain way. However, Jesus knows us better and can see where we are weak and could use a little trouble in order to perfect us.
Trouble is not fun; however, it does strengthen our character.
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us (Romans 5:3-5).But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you (1 Peter 5:10).No one wants to endure the suffering that trouble brings. But, that trouble is not in vain. It has a purpose. Imagine a more Christ-like, more patient, more settled, more established, stronger, better version of yourself. Trouble is working to make you into that!
Here's my prayer:
"Lord, although I've cried, kicked, and resisted, help me to throw up my hands and surrender, knowing that it was you who allowed this trouble to come on me in order to perfect me. What is the lesson you want me to get from this trouble? Help me to get it QUICKLY, so I can be delivered!"
In Jesus Name. Amen
Blessings to you today!
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This is a great post...I'm not sure what your Christian tradition is, but as a Catholic, I have learned that suffering has an even more profound meaning...when we unite our sufferings with Our Lord on the cross, He allows us to participate in His redemptive work! So a suffering that we experience can be offered for another, for the conversion of a heart or for healing. So suffering does not only make us better versions of ourselves, it strengthen's the whole Body of Christ! Praise God for that. If you're interested in reading more on that, Salvifici Dolores is a beautiful encylical by John Paul II on the meaning of human suffering. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteAmen, sister. While reading your post, I kept thinking of the scripture that says ALL things work together for those who love the Lord....
ReplyDeleteIf we believe this, EVERYTHING that happens to us is for our good. Well, at least this is what I choose to believe.
Great post!
This is a great post! Sometimes we may not understand why we suffer and go trials until years later.
ReplyDeleteGod is so amazing in how He works things out. He knows what He's doing.