"You'll be okay once you've healed and went back to teaching your children again at church." "I'm not going back. I'm done with church and with God ."
Those were the words a young woman told her mother after awakening from surgery and learning she would not be able to have children. The news was even more devastating to hear after accepting a marriage proposal from her long-time boyfriend before her surgery. Although she had been known for her strong faith, after hearing the news, she tore her treasured cross from her neck and denounced her faith in God.
There's no getting around it. You will experience suffering as you live the Christian life. Deteriorating health, rebellious children, financial problems, loss of jobs and marital problems are just some examples of the types of suffering that may occur in your life as a believer. Sufferings at times that may cause you to wonder: "Where is God? and, "Why is he allowing this to happen to me?"
How do we continue to maintain our faith in God when our sufferings tempt us to abandon it?
By keeping our eyes on the one who endured his suffering - Jesus Christ. He was ridiculed when he shared his message with the Jews - yet he endured. He was misunderssod by his family - yet he endured. He was beaten, spit on, and taunted by the Roman soldiers as he walked the road to Calvary - yet he endured. And he endured as he hung on a rugged cross. Because he endured, he now sits at the place of highest honor next to his father in heaven, preparing for His return.
Are you experiencing intense suffering in your life that is tempting you to abandon your faith? Look to the one who endured to remind you that if He endured, you can endure.
Sharing the Word,
Jeaninne
