The Gift we would rather not claim

Yesterday I was watching a program where a girl found out she would not be able to have children because there was something wrong with part of her reproductive system. She was a teenage girl and was involved with the youth at her church. She became angry and blamed God saying He is not good. She told her mother that she was never going to attend church again. 

It was her way of getting back at God for not loving and being there for her - in her mind.

This young girl's resentment toward God is nothing new. People are yelling, screaming and cursing God every day when things go wrong in their lives. Once again the proverbial question is, "If God is so good and loving and He has all power, then why is this happening to me? I don't deserve it!" 

This is the time when a person should do a very careful inventory of their lives. Because I see two possible scenarios. 1) The person is in sin and has refused to repent and ask for forgiveness so they are being punished. 2) They are in a furious season of trial and tribulation and their faith has to be tested.

Admittedly when we are going through trials, we often do not understand or like what is happening to us. None of us want pain in our lives. We hate it. It frightens us. Even mature Christians forget that we are still in the hands of The Almighty during our darkest times. He seems so far away. What is most aggravating to us all is that when we call on God and He does not respond when we believe He should, we feel abandoned by Him. Listen to the cry of David in Psalm 10:1, "Why O Lord do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?" 

David was stressed because He saw the wicked oppressing the poor and defying God. He wanted God to take vengeance on his enemies but to David God could not be found when he needed the Lord the most. 

When we are feeling and thinking like this - with fear, anger, and despair, that is the time we need reassurance. When we are emotionally and spiritually drained, we need the well of God's word to quench our thirst.  That's right. We need revival!

Now, back to the title question. What is the gift that we rather not claim? It is the gift of suffering. Wait a minute! Suffering is a gift from God? I know it sounds hard to believe but yes. I'll prove it. Philippians 1:29 says, "For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ (emphasis added) you should not only believe in Him but also suffer for His sake.” Jesus said to the disciples, "In this life, you shall have tribulation or trouble but be of good cheer I have overcome the world.”(John 16:33)

The apostle Peter writes in his first letter to the saints that they are rejoicing due to their living hope in Christ although at the present time they were being afflicted by various trials. Why? This reason is very key, so that the genuineness of your faith more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Now, these next words are absolutely powerful and beautiful, "Though you have not seen Him, you love Him. Though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls (1 Peter 1:6b-9).

This is what we must place in front of us at all times, God's word so we do not lose our way in this life. It is so very easy to forget the promises of the word when we are going through trials in our lives, but we must hang on to God's promises so that we do not lose heart and stop running the race and fighting the good fight of faith (2 Timothy 4:7).

Once we know that we are in a spiritual war, we understand that difficulties are necessary to test our faith which is our trust in God to see us through our fiery trials. Although it seems like hard times will never end when we are going through them, they will. And although it seems like we cannot endure them, we can if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9). Jesus is there. He loves and cares for us and feels what we feel (Hebrews 4:15). 

Its a win-win for the child of God in the overall. How? If God decides to bring us through the affliction, then we can rejoice in the Lord's faithfulness to us. If He providentially decides to allow our sickness and pain to end our natural lives, then it's far better because we have graduated to eternal glory where there is no more pain, sickness, and death- ever (Revelation 21:4).

Suffering under God's tender hands is a blessing although the temporary trials by which He administers them are painful. We must remember that we go through is not for nothing. Suffering for Christ's sake is the instrument by which God has decided His children will glorify Him. If we keep this perspective, then we do not have to be ashamed of what we are going through for there is a reward when we endure the trials God has set before us - the crown of life (James 1:12). 

So let us endeavor to endure the hard times with joy. We can only do it in the Lord.