What are the benefits of pain and suffering at the time? IV
Peace of the Lord be multiplied unto you on this wonderful day!
For several days in a row we have been discussing the potential advantages hidden in pain and sufferings. We have looked at 6 of those advantages.
Nevertheless, I must say that all these positive things are potential, but not automatic. Problems in themselves do not make us mature. In reality, problems make many people a lot worse, more angry and cruel.
In order for our problems to turn into advantages, our reaction to them, our actions in general must be right. Today I want to share with you certain truths that will help you spiritually grow while going through problems.
Revelation about inevitability of problems
In order for us to learn to 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.
The same way we have to understand that we cannot avoid hardships and pain in this world. This revelation must equip us so that we not only expect the problems, but also react to them in a right manner. We should not let problems and pain be a surprise to us.
“For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body” (Romans 8:22-23).
In the Scripture above we see that we’re not the only ones suffering, but that the whole creation together with us groans about the condition of the world. In another translation of the Bible, these verses say:
“All around us we see expectant (pregnant) creation. Hard times of pain in this world are just birth pangs. But it is not happening only around us; it is also inside of us, since God’s Spirit awakens us from the inside. We also feel the birth pangs. Our empty, fruitless bodies long for the full deliverance”.
Dear friends, most people in this world experience hard, painful times! And the fact that we are believers does not make us an exception. But unlike the others we have “the firstfruits of the Spirit” inside of us, who teaches us and equips us for victory until the full redemption of our bodies.
If you are believers, then you should not fear the tragedies that happen in this world, because God has already provided the solution for every situation. He has also placed in us “the down payment” of redemption – the Holy Spirit, so that we know how to wait for the adoption and redemption of our body. In other words, we can look at the things happening around us with hope because God will never leave His children in trouble.
We will continue tomorrow.
Be blessed!
Pastor Rufus Ajiboye
