The Kingdom of God is a very important concept, which is often mentioned in the Bible. When we read the New Testament we see that the message about the Kingdom of God was the central message and mission of Jesus Christ. The very first sermon of Jesus Christ was a message that called people to repent and to believe the Gospel, because the Kingdom of God has come nigh.
*) We talked about how God uses our pain and problems for our spiritual growth;
*) We talked about the fact that there is benefit in our times of hardship. Problems and pain focus our attention as nothing else does. They teach us to lean on God, they test and refine our faith, form our character, prepare us for eternity and Problems give us a chance to obtain the necessary experience for ministry to other people.
*) We talked about the importance of making right choices, because if we do not make the right choices, times of hardship by
“For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.”
These verses remind us that we have been saved in the hope. When you go through pain, you cannot lose hope.
In order for us to seize the potential advantages that are hidden in pain and sufferings, we must learn the true nature and essence of sufferings. Firstly, our present pains are temporary comparing to eternal torture that awaits every person who lives a life of compromise in pursuit of personal comfort. Secondly, our present pain is light comparing to the glory of God that awaits every person who endures pains with dignity. By going through the temporary sufferings, we gain eternal glory and joy. Temporary sufferings multiply our eternal glory if endured with the right attitude.
In order for us to learn react to problems and pain in a correct manner we need a revelation about the fact that while we live in this world there will be no end to pain and hardships. For as long as sin exists on the earth pain won’t cease in people’s lives. We suffer not only due to our own sins and wrong decisions, but also due to the sins and wrong decisions of other people.
Joshua and Caleb, as well as the whole generation of Israel that finally entered the Promised Land were forced to wander through the wilderness for almost 40 years. Why? We know that Joshua and Caleb had a different spirit and they believed God and walked in obedience. Nevertheless, due to the wrong decisions made by other people they had to suffer and wander in the wilderness for all that time.
We are still talking about the advantages that are hidden in pain and sufferings. We have discussed four of them, and they are as follows:
Problems draw our attention like nothing else.
Problems teach us to trust God.
Problems try and purify our faith.
Problems shape our character.
Problems try and purify our faith.
Quite often the Bible compares sufferings with the furnace used for the purification of metal that burns up all the dross. “In this your greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honour, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter, 1:6-7).
Problems draw our attention faster than anything else.
Problems can become a spiritual “alarm clock” from God. This is what Job (36:15) points out: “He delivers the poor in their affliction, and opens their ears in oppression”.
In times of prosperity and abundance we hear God as whispering, but in times of pain and suffering we hear Him loud and clear. God has an ability to revive our attention towards His Word and His voice. That is why Solomon says that in times of abundance we should enjoy life, but in times of suffering we should think about our life.
Pain and problems – they are the things that God uses to spiritually discipline and develop us. We learn obedience through the things we suffer. «..though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered» (Hebrews, 5: 8).
Gold is purified in high temperatures. Sufferings are ‘high temperature’ that purifies us.
“As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers; Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”(Mt.4:18-19)
I would like you to pay attention to the word “SAW”, which has been mentioned here twice. Passing by, Jesus saw Matthew and two brothers – Peter and Andrew. Jesus had noticed them, somehow they attracted His attention, Jesus invited them to become a part of His team.
