Family with Teen(s)
"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
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.
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
-Romans 5:1-8
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.
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
-Romans 5:1-8
If God is so loving, why do we suffer?
If you haven't already, you will be asked this question, or may wonder this yourself at times. When the going gets tough, it is easy to blame God and turn away from him, but that is the last thing we should do. God allows suffering in our life because there is JOY to be found in our pain and grief. There is suffering because of God's love! If this still seems mixed up think about it form a Biblical perspective.
Jesus was able to still have joy even before going to the cross because He looked forward to being seated again with the Father at His right hand. He endured the shame and suffering of the cross for the joy that was ahead of Him, allowing Him to suffer yet be joyful. He told his Disciples who were overwhelmed and simply couldn’t understand how the Messiah was supposed to die. “So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you” (John 16:22). Even Jesus suffered, but from that comes the greatest Joy we know. Salvation.
I find that it is often in my saddest of times that I learn the most about God's role in my life. It is when I have nothing else to lose that it becomes easiest to trust God with everything I am. This has allowed me to feel his love in new and more powerful ways. Suffering allows us to grow into a deeper joy!
We all move from grief to joy many times without even realizing it, like at a funeral. We grieve over our loss, but we know that the person who’s passed away is now in the joyful presence of the Lord.
Without suffering in our lives, we can not fully experience the love of Christ. Catholic writer and presenter, Mark Hart sums this point up well by saying, "Don't close your eyes to the crucifixion, or you'll miss the resurrection..Suffering lasts a short time, but the joy of Christ is eternal."
Jesus was able to still have joy even before going to the cross because He looked forward to being seated again with the Father at His right hand. He endured the shame and suffering of the cross for the joy that was ahead of Him, allowing Him to suffer yet be joyful. He told his Disciples who were overwhelmed and simply couldn’t understand how the Messiah was supposed to die. “So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you” (John 16:22). Even Jesus suffered, but from that comes the greatest Joy we know. Salvation.
I find that it is often in my saddest of times that I learn the most about God's role in my life. It is when I have nothing else to lose that it becomes easiest to trust God with everything I am. This has allowed me to feel his love in new and more powerful ways. Suffering allows us to grow into a deeper joy!
We all move from grief to joy many times without even realizing it, like at a funeral. We grieve over our loss, but we know that the person who’s passed away is now in the joyful presence of the Lord.
Without suffering in our lives, we can not fully experience the love of Christ. Catholic writer and presenter, Mark Hart sums this point up well by saying, "Don't close your eyes to the crucifixion, or you'll miss the resurrection..Suffering lasts a short time, but the joy of Christ is eternal."
Let our pain and suffering be a means of learning and growth, but most importantly a deepening in love and joy that will last forever.
Reflection
Based on the teaching above, think of a time in your like where you have felt pain, sadness, or suffering. How has that changed you? Your relationship with God?
Are there trails in your life weighing you down tonight? How can we joy and strength through the pain of today?
When you are done reflecting on these questions listen to this song as a way to go a little deeper into the topic of tonight.
Are there trails in your life weighing you down tonight? How can we joy and strength through the pain of today?
When you are done reflecting on these questions listen to this song as a way to go a little deeper into the topic of tonight.
