ARE YOU TOUGH ENOUGH TO HANDLE SPIRITUAL SUFFERING?
ARE YOU TOUGH ENOUGH TO HANDLE SPIRITUAL SUFFERING?
You know it’s funny (peculiar not haha) but most of us do not question God’s actions when we are receiving His blessings. We just don’t!
But when catastrophe strikes, suddenly we want to know why. We ask ourselves- ‘why is this happening to me’? We have all been there. When tragedy strikes us at our door, it is horrible. It is crushing. It is devastating. But as CeCe Winans tells us, it is at these most difficult moments that we must find a way to raise our voices and sing about the goodness of God.
This is the situation that Job finds himself in and we have much to learn from his experience. Today’s message is based on Job 1:8 (KJV, emphasis mine):
8 ‘And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job...?’
Please stop and consider these words! Shocking, right? Not what you expect God to say, right?
A SUMMARY OF THE BEGINNING OF THE BOOK OF JOB
Some of you may not be familiar with the Book of Job. This Book begins with Job being described as a devout man who has a large family and is very wealthy. The ‘sons of God’ (divine beings or angels) have been called to appear before God. Satan decides to ‘crash’ this meeting and appear before God as well. We are not told the reason for this. God asks Satan where has he come from and Satan responds that he has been ‘walking’ up and down the earth. God understands this to mean that Satan has been prowling the earth and searching for prey to devour (see also 1 Peter 5:8)! It is at this point that God makes His extraordinary suggestion- what about my servant Job?
Now let us remember that-
1. Job is a devout man.
2. Job is trying his best to live righteously.
3. Job is minding his own business, staying quietly in his corner and not looking for any trouble!
But despite this, and with God’s permission, Satan is about to put Job through indescribable pain and suffering.
UNDERSTANDING SUFFERING
Is all suffering and pain of God? NO! That is why spiritual discernment is so critically important. But Job understood that his suffering, however, was of God.
There are two types of suffering- spiritual suffering and earthly suffering. If we are to fulfill our kingdom roles for God, then we must learn to differentiate between spiritual suffering (which we have no control over and must endure) and earthly suffering (which we have control over and must try to prevent).
Earthly suffering arises as a result of our bad choices! So when this type of tragedy strikes at our door, we must be honest with ourselves. We must ask ourselves- ‘How did I create this mess?’.
Did I cheat somebody? Overspend? Refuse to take my medicine? Raise undisciplined children? Drive drunk? All of these choices can cause us earthly suffering- and rightly so! There is always an identifiable cause for the pain that accompanies earthly suffering.
However, when unexpected events overtake us, as they overtook Job, then this is usually a sign of spiritual suffering. Spiritual suffering comes whether we want it too or not! To endure this type of suffering, we must begin by accepting that God is God. He is Sovereign.
Consider the following scriptures (emphasis mine):
1. Isaiah 55:8- For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,
saith the Lord.
2. Psalms 33:4- For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.
3. John 9:3- Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents:
2. Psalms 33:4- For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.
3. John 9:3- Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents:
but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
SO HOW SHOULD WE RESPOND TO SPIRITUAL SUFFERING?
Always remember that the purpose of spiritual suffering is to bring about a good. You may be suffering but God is at work!
Sometimes, this type of tragedy comes so that the world can witness our faith in the fire and take note of our trust during the test. Is it difficult to endure spiritual suffering? YES! But the ability to endure this type of pain is an important skill that all faith-filled believers must develop.
Christ reminded us of this important principle in Matthew 16:24 (KJV, emphasis mine):
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me,
SO HOW SHOULD WE RESPOND TO SPIRITUAL SUFFERING?
Always remember that the purpose of spiritual suffering is to bring about a good. You may be suffering but God is at work!
Sometimes, this type of tragedy comes so that the world can witness our faith in the fire and take note of our trust during the test. Is it difficult to endure spiritual suffering? YES! But the ability to endure this type of pain is an important skill that all faith-filled believers must develop.
Christ reminded us of this important principle in Matthew 16:24 (KJV, emphasis mine):
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me,
let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Similarly, do you remember what Jesus told Peter in the Garden of Gethsemane, as He referred to His purpose for coming to earth? John 18:11 (KJV, emphasis mine) says:
11 ‘...the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?’
Jesus understood that God gives each one of us work to accomplish during our time here on earth. John 17:4 (KJV, emphasis mine) says:
4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
Just accept that sometimes our ‘work’ will cause us severe pain.
SPIRITUAL SUFFERING BUILDS FAITH, DISCERNMENT AND ENDURANCE
You know that you are developing deep faith when you you are able to discern God at work in the midst of your suffering. Remember, in the midst of his tragedy, Job perceived the hand of God. Can we prove this? YES! Job 1:20-22 (KJV, emphasis mine) says:
20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head,
Similarly, do you remember what Jesus told Peter in the Garden of Gethsemane, as He referred to His purpose for coming to earth? John 18:11 (KJV, emphasis mine) says:
11 ‘...the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?’
Jesus understood that God gives each one of us work to accomplish during our time here on earth. John 17:4 (KJV, emphasis mine) says:
4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
Just accept that sometimes our ‘work’ will cause us severe pain.
SPIRITUAL SUFFERING BUILDS FAITH, DISCERNMENT AND ENDURANCE
You know that you are developing deep faith when you you are able to discern God at work in the midst of your suffering. Remember, in the midst of his tragedy, Job perceived the hand of God. Can we prove this? YES! Job 1:20-22 (KJV, emphasis mine) says:
20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head,
and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,
21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither:
21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither:
the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.
22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
Please take note, this is very important! Job’s first reaction to his situation was to fall to his knees and worship God!
SPIRITUAL SUFFERING IS KINGDOM WORK!
Job's reaction is what God desires from all of us. God wants us to submit to His will. No matter how deep the pain, we must trust Him. We must always remember that everything we have is God's to give us and it is His to take away from us. Blessed be the name of the LORD.
What clues do you think Job recognised that helped him to discern his situation correctly?
1. It happened SUDDENLY.
2. He had NOT CAUSED the problem.
3. Even though he was blameless, the witnesses to his suffering ascribed BLAME to him.
Whenever you experience a catastrophic event that occurs suddenly, through no fault of your own and almost everyone around you is blaming you for the calamity, please stop and consider whether God may be at work! God may be using your situation as a teaching moment for others regarding their faith and endurance! Alternatively, God may be using your situation to ‘put things in place’, just as He did with Joseph in Egypt!
DON’T ALLOW THE WORLD TO MISLEAD YOU!
And by the way, it doesn’t help us to develop endurance if we believe messages like this one:
‘THE PURPOSE OF OUR LIVES IS TO BE HAPPY’
Have you ever seen this quote before? It has been attributed to the Dalai Lama and many social media inspirational sites use it.
§ What do you think about this quote?
§ Do you agree with it?
§ Do you think that this is what the Bible teaches us?
§ Is a feeling of happiness always present when we are doing God's will?
Superficially, this quote sounds good. It sounds like a reasonable idea UNTIL you reflect on the lessons from the Old Testament legends and Christ's teachings in the Bible!
Let me ask you: if you were not happy but you KNEW that you were doing God's will, would that satisfy you? Could you live with this sacrifice? Could you live with the suffering?
§ When Joseph suffered in prison for years and years, do you think that he was happy?
§ When Ruth suffered as she went from becoming a widow, to finding herself in a famine and then found herself destitute and dependent on scraps for food, do you think that she was happy?
22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
Please take note, this is very important! Job’s first reaction to his situation was to fall to his knees and worship God!
SPIRITUAL SUFFERING IS KINGDOM WORK!
Job's reaction is what God desires from all of us. God wants us to submit to His will. No matter how deep the pain, we must trust Him. We must always remember that everything we have is God's to give us and it is His to take away from us. Blessed be the name of the LORD.
What clues do you think Job recognised that helped him to discern his situation correctly?
1. It happened SUDDENLY.
2. He had NOT CAUSED the problem.
3. Even though he was blameless, the witnesses to his suffering ascribed BLAME to him.
Whenever you experience a catastrophic event that occurs suddenly, through no fault of your own and almost everyone around you is blaming you for the calamity, please stop and consider whether God may be at work! God may be using your situation as a teaching moment for others regarding their faith and endurance! Alternatively, God may be using your situation to ‘put things in place’, just as He did with Joseph in Egypt!
DON’T ALLOW THE WORLD TO MISLEAD YOU!
And by the way, it doesn’t help us to develop endurance if we believe messages like this one:
‘THE PURPOSE OF OUR LIVES IS TO BE HAPPY’
Have you ever seen this quote before? It has been attributed to the Dalai Lama and many social media inspirational sites use it.
§ What do you think about this quote?
§ Do you agree with it?
§ Do you think that this is what the Bible teaches us?
§ Is a feeling of happiness always present when we are doing God's will?
Superficially, this quote sounds good. It sounds like a reasonable idea UNTIL you reflect on the lessons from the Old Testament legends and Christ's teachings in the Bible!
Let me ask you: if you were not happy but you KNEW that you were doing God's will, would that satisfy you? Could you live with this sacrifice? Could you live with the suffering?
§ When Joseph suffered in prison for years and years, do you think that he was happy?
§ When Ruth suffered as she went from becoming a widow, to finding herself in a famine and then found herself destitute and dependent on scraps for food, do you think that she was happy?
§ When David- the anointed, was starving and hiding from Saul in caves,
do you think that he was happy?
God’s will and our happiness do not always live at the same address! What does Matthew 6:33 teach us about our most important priority (KJV, emphasis mine) in life?
33 'But seek ye FIRST the kingdom of God, and his righteousness;
God’s will and our happiness do not always live at the same address! What does Matthew 6:33 teach us about our most important priority (KJV, emphasis mine) in life?
33 'But seek ye FIRST the kingdom of God, and his righteousness;
and all these things shall be added unto you.'
I believe that our first responsibility is to do the will of God. And whether this makes us happy, sad, angry or whatever is actually IRRELEVANT!
Happiness, laughter and joy are extremely important emotions. BUT, if we make having these feelings the priority and focus of our lives, then we may MISS our opportunity to fulfill God's purpose for our life!
I believe that our lives are a journey of transformation. The journey is about becoming the best version of ourselves. And I believe that this is especially true for God’s remnant believers. Therefore, while we need to prioritise kindness, love and social justice for others. We also need to accept that our commitment to God requires us to become tough and resilient believers. Believers who, like Joseph, are able and willing to endure spiritual suffering for the kingdom.
We were each created by God on purpose, for a purpose. So let God become so sure of our faithfulness that He can say with absolute confidence to Satan- have you considered my servant..................(add your name here)!
Blessed be the name of the LORD!
*****
‘HARVEST TIME Prophecies’ is the blog post site of TNG Academy. Our blog post site gets its name from Matthew 13:30- i.e. the separation of wheat and tares that will occur at harvest time (i.e. the endtimes). Remember, the ‘wheat’ symbolises Godly things and the ‘tares’ symbolise things of the devil.
The purpose of these blog posts is twofold. Firstly, they are written to encourage more focus on Christ’s core message- i.e. the ‘gospel of the kingdom’. And second, they are written as an aid for our discipleship journey- i.e. improving our understanding of God’s expectations of us. I hope, these posts assist you on your journey of ‘becoming’!
Visit our website- WWW.TNGACADEMY.ORG, to get copies of our Bible study books. Which books would I recommend for you to read first? Start with these three-
If you enjoy these posts, please share and help others get prepared for harvest time too!
#theapostolicscriptures
#gospelofthekingdom
#Remnant
#endtimes
#deconstruction
I believe that our first responsibility is to do the will of God. And whether this makes us happy, sad, angry or whatever is actually IRRELEVANT!
Happiness, laughter and joy are extremely important emotions. BUT, if we make having these feelings the priority and focus of our lives, then we may MISS our opportunity to fulfill God's purpose for our life!
I believe that our lives are a journey of transformation. The journey is about becoming the best version of ourselves. And I believe that this is especially true for God’s remnant believers. Therefore, while we need to prioritise kindness, love and social justice for others. We also need to accept that our commitment to God requires us to become tough and resilient believers. Believers who, like Joseph, are able and willing to endure spiritual suffering for the kingdom.
We were each created by God on purpose, for a purpose. So let God become so sure of our faithfulness that He can say with absolute confidence to Satan- have you considered my servant..................(add your name here)!
Blessed be the name of the LORD!
*****
‘HARVEST TIME Prophecies’ is the blog post site of TNG Academy. Our blog post site gets its name from Matthew 13:30- i.e. the separation of wheat and tares that will occur at harvest time (i.e. the endtimes). Remember, the ‘wheat’ symbolises Godly things and the ‘tares’ symbolise things of the devil.
The purpose of these blog posts is twofold. Firstly, they are written to encourage more focus on Christ’s core message- i.e. the ‘gospel of the kingdom’. And second, they are written as an aid for our discipleship journey- i.e. improving our understanding of God’s expectations of us. I hope, these posts assist you on your journey of ‘becoming’!
Visit our website- WWW.TNGACADEMY.ORG, to get copies of our Bible study books. Which books would I recommend for you to read first? Start with these three-
- WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD?
- MENE MENE TEKEL UPHARSIN!
- THE APOSTOLIC SCRIPTURES.
If you enjoy these posts, please share and help others get prepared for harvest time too!
#theapostolicscriptures
#gospelofthekingdom
#Remnant
#endtimes
#deconstruction
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