Edward
2024 Supporter
Lots of times we experience or hear about others suffering in some way. Many times it is from Brothers and Sisters in Christ who are suffering and asking for prayer and wishing it will end for them. Sort of a natural reaction, ow! But do we really understand it? Why would God let His people suffer? I've heard question and asked that question myself many times. I've even prayed about it. There's been times when I yearned to draw closer to Jesus, to grow and mature in the Lord and then seemingly real soon after that it's like I get dumped on with a boat load of worldly crap. Sound familiar?
Over time, the Lord has been teaching my about this and thereby answering that prayer by me for understanding this. I am a slow learner though, lol so it has been a bit of time in gaining this understanding. I can remember many times when I was watching a video sermon by a Pastor and his church, and was provoked to jealousy. Look at them! The work for the Lord that they are doing! I wish I could do some good works for the Lord's Kingdom...but I can not. I have this family to provide for, I have this dead end job, crappy little business, obligations, appointments., places I have to be, things to do...or else the house of cards will come tumbling down, and I will fail the people who depend on me. That is not an option.
We all know that there is and will be, rank in heaven. I have quipped before, that I don't want to be the plumber again when I get to heaven. I need a promotion to get past that. I'm not thinking that by any stretch, to be be some spiritual giant like the Patriarchs of the Old Testament...just, not the plumber, lol! Isn't there someone you can call to do that stuff?! ...and no, plumbers do not ever get used to the smell. I guarantee you if you make stink jokes to them that your bill will be higher. Oh he wont say anything. He is in your home and will respect that. But it wont get you a discount! I had a special area on my invoices for just such charges. I was honest about it. But I digress.
How is a child of God supposed to advance in the Kingdom? I don't have a ministry. I have no worship team. I have to go to work shortly! What's a Brother to do?! The short answer is...Suffering is Work. This is the meaning behind Simon's cross. (Matthew 27:32) They compelled him to carry Jesus's cross for him. Jesus was in agony and weak from being beaten. Do you think that this man, Simon of Cyrene will be rewarded for that in heaven? You bet he will! But we can do the same thing. This is the Lord's way of providing a way for us lesser children (who have no ministry) to be able to help. bear fruit for the Kingdom, and also (!!) the way that the Lord has provided a way for the...intensely suffering people in the world. Those who's lives are over-flowing with suffering. Victims, with their lives being a tragedy day by day...those with broken spirits, to be able to carry on or to have a moment of peace within their heart, enough to turn to the Lord and ask for help.
This is scriptural. Simon's Cross is the example, and also take a peek at
Colossians 1:24
24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:.../
"In my flesh", it says. For His body's sake...This is the reason that the least that you do for (anyone), you do for Christ Him self! Because it is His body. We are His body, and some of it is suffering in some way so we can and should help.
We can do more than give the poor on the street a few bucks. We can, in spirit, take on a portion of their cross that they bear so that they have a really good day. Maybe the bum really is an alcoholic and will go buy a pint of mad dog. Maybe he has closed the door on the Lord's blessings by willful sin? We reap what we sow. But Lord, put a portion of his cross on me. This may be enough to allow the Lord to bless this man in a way which would lead to his salvation and rescue!
We might not even notice it. Oh I felt crappy today. Tomorrow will be better. But fruit for the Kingdom was produced! And I have no ministry...
This is how God makes sure that no one has more put on them than they can bear. He will spread it around. This is also a huge Husband/Wife thing. That opportunity is there daily! Can you remember any days where you had a very excellent productive day, but your Husband/Wife had a very crappy day?! That is this in action.
So when you have a crappy day, don't get angry at God or disappointed in life. Understand the dynamics of real life within the body of Christ. No wonder Paul would rejoice in suffering, he understood these things.
Have a Blessed day Brothers and Sisters!
Over time, the Lord has been teaching my about this and thereby answering that prayer by me for understanding this. I am a slow learner though, lol so it has been a bit of time in gaining this understanding. I can remember many times when I was watching a video sermon by a Pastor and his church, and was provoked to jealousy. Look at them! The work for the Lord that they are doing! I wish I could do some good works for the Lord's Kingdom...but I can not. I have this family to provide for, I have this dead end job, crappy little business, obligations, appointments., places I have to be, things to do...or else the house of cards will come tumbling down, and I will fail the people who depend on me. That is not an option.
We all know that there is and will be, rank in heaven. I have quipped before, that I don't want to be the plumber again when I get to heaven. I need a promotion to get past that. I'm not thinking that by any stretch, to be be some spiritual giant like the Patriarchs of the Old Testament...just, not the plumber, lol! Isn't there someone you can call to do that stuff?! ...and no, plumbers do not ever get used to the smell. I guarantee you if you make stink jokes to them that your bill will be higher. Oh he wont say anything. He is in your home and will respect that. But it wont get you a discount! I had a special area on my invoices for just such charges. I was honest about it. But I digress.
How is a child of God supposed to advance in the Kingdom? I don't have a ministry. I have no worship team. I have to go to work shortly! What's a Brother to do?! The short answer is...Suffering is Work. This is the meaning behind Simon's cross. (Matthew 27:32) They compelled him to carry Jesus's cross for him. Jesus was in agony and weak from being beaten. Do you think that this man, Simon of Cyrene will be rewarded for that in heaven? You bet he will! But we can do the same thing. This is the Lord's way of providing a way for us lesser children (who have no ministry) to be able to help. bear fruit for the Kingdom, and also (!!) the way that the Lord has provided a way for the...intensely suffering people in the world. Those who's lives are over-flowing with suffering. Victims, with their lives being a tragedy day by day...those with broken spirits, to be able to carry on or to have a moment of peace within their heart, enough to turn to the Lord and ask for help.
This is scriptural. Simon's Cross is the example, and also take a peek at
Colossians 1:24
24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:.../
"In my flesh", it says. For His body's sake...This is the reason that the least that you do for (anyone), you do for Christ Him self! Because it is His body. We are His body, and some of it is suffering in some way so we can and should help.
We can do more than give the poor on the street a few bucks. We can, in spirit, take on a portion of their cross that they bear so that they have a really good day. Maybe the bum really is an alcoholic and will go buy a pint of mad dog. Maybe he has closed the door on the Lord's blessings by willful sin? We reap what we sow. But Lord, put a portion of his cross on me. This may be enough to allow the Lord to bless this man in a way which would lead to his salvation and rescue!
We might not even notice it. Oh I felt crappy today. Tomorrow will be better. But fruit for the Kingdom was produced! And I have no ministry...
This is how God makes sure that no one has more put on them than they can bear. He will spread it around. This is also a huge Husband/Wife thing. That opportunity is there daily! Can you remember any days where you had a very excellent productive day, but your Husband/Wife had a very crappy day?! That is this in action.
So when you have a crappy day, don't get angry at God or disappointed in life. Understand the dynamics of real life within the body of Christ. No wonder Paul would rejoice in suffering, he understood these things.
Have a Blessed day Brothers and Sisters!
