chastens, God, sin, suffering, trust, comfort, discipline, morals

     There is one, whose loved one has suffered from illness for several years. This
one has carried an increasing burden, while the loved one has greatly declined.
     There is one who grew up in an abusive home, who never knew a mother’s gentle
love, a father’s protective strength and who still carries the scars.
     There is one who has given their life to care for a child that would otherwise
know no love.
     There is one who, years ago, sinned greatly against another and still reaps the
consequences of seeds sown in sin.

      There is heart breaking suffering all around us. It touches all whether directly or indirectly. Many ask why a God of love would allow such suffering. But our God of love is also a God of righteousness and judgment. Sin is not acceptable to Him, nor is it overlooked. God is also our Father. Like a parent who disciplines a much loved child so that it will grow into an adult of strong morals and character, so the Lord does with us.
       There are several reasons why God allows suffering. He uses it to root out our deeply entrenched sins. He uses it to break us of self, to teach us reliance and trust in Him. He uses it to deepen and strengthen our relationship with Him. If this life was always one of ease and sunshine, would we look forward to the life to
come? I don’t think so. Our soul would become selfish, fat and lazy. This life is to prepare us for the next, it is just a stepping stone for eternity. Suffering teaches us to recognize the shallow and meaningless and teaches us to value those qualities that are lasting.
     When the Lord Jesus lived among men, He was called a Man of sorrows. Why is this? Jesus lived in a human body and experienced its weaknesses in many forms. He saw a multitude of hurting people, many of whom would refuse to come to Him. He suffered great humiliation on our account. But most of all, Jesus carried the guilt of our sins. Have you noticed in scripture that when Jesus was brought before the chief priests and Herod and Pilate, that He did not defend Himself against the false accusations made against Him? It is because He was guilty in the sense that He was carrying every foul sin of every one of His children. Jesus bore this willingly for us so that we would be acceptable to God, if we love and obey Him.
     As God’s chosen ones, He knows what is best for us, He knows our needs much better than we. As our Father, He has the right to teach us, to conform us into His perfect image. It isn’t always pleasant and sometimes quite painful, but so necessary. We have all seen the tragic results in children who have not received
the proper love and discipline and have been left to their own. Think about that.
     So rather than complaining (which is actually questioning the sovereignty of the Master over His creation) and losing heart when going through trials, it is actually a time to rejoice! It is proof than we are His children - that He loves us! It is a great blessing to be “counted worthy” to suffer for the Father! It is a time to look forward to growing closer to Him and receiving His comfort!