For I consider that the sufferings of this present time... (Romans 8:18a ESV)
Thinking about suffering. Doesn't sound like a very fun thing to think about. I'll have to admit that I would much rather think about enjoyment. After all, the Greek philosopher Epicurus taught that the goal of life was to minimize pain and maximize pleasure. To me, this means we are to think about how to get pleasure and skip thinking about pain.
The Apostle Paul writes to the Christians in Rome and says that he "considers" sufferings. This means that he thinks right now as he is writing and has, in the past, thought about suffering. I believe that we are to do the same. We are to think about it and consider suffering. We must ask the questions that need to be asked in the midst of suffering-- especially the "why" questions. "Why is there suffering?" "Why am I suffering?" "Why does a sovereign God allow suffering?" When we think about and then ask these questions, it doesn't mean that the pain of suffering will be lessened -- suffering is suffering and suffering is painful. But by thinking about suffering, I do believe that it does, in the very least, mean that our present sufferings might just begin to make a little sense.
I believe that God does some of his greatest work in the midst of suffering. We don't have to look far to prove it --we just need to look to the cross. For when we consider suffering we must also consider the one who suffered more than anyone else in all of history -- Jesus Christ.
8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:8-10 ESV)
Thinking about suffering. Doesn't sound like a very fun thing to think about. I'll have to admit that I would much rather think about enjoyment. After all, the Greek philosopher Epicurus taught that the goal of life was to minimize pain and maximize pleasure. To me, this means we are to think about how to get pleasure and skip thinking about pain.
The Apostle Paul writes to the Christians in Rome and says that he "considers" sufferings. This means that he thinks right now as he is writing and has, in the past, thought about suffering. I believe that we are to do the same. We are to think about it and consider suffering. We must ask the questions that need to be asked in the midst of suffering-- especially the "why" questions. "Why is there suffering?" "Why am I suffering?" "Why does a sovereign God allow suffering?" When we think about and then ask these questions, it doesn't mean that the pain of suffering will be lessened -- suffering is suffering and suffering is painful. But by thinking about suffering, I do believe that it does, in the very least, mean that our present sufferings might just begin to make a little sense.
I believe that God does some of his greatest work in the midst of suffering. We don't have to look far to prove it --we just need to look to the cross. For when we consider suffering we must also consider the one who suffered more than anyone else in all of history -- Jesus Christ.
8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:8-10 ESV)
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