Character not Comfort

We render controlled suffering to our children to spare them from greater suffering later. We ground them for lying, being disrespectful, not doing their chores and so on. Our hope as parents is to shape our children’s character so when they are on their own someday, they will thrive, living happy and fulfilling lives.

God allows suffering to keep us from the greatest suffering which is eternal separation from him. What suffering do we endure in this life that is greater than that? None.

Psalm 119:71 – It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.

God has designed a progressive process in suffering, building our character brick by brick.

Romans 5:3-5 – Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

There can also be a purpose in suffering. It helps us to be equipped so we can help others suffering similar plights in the future.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

God also promises that suffering will end someday. Your situation, however difficult it is, will only be temporary in the measure of eternity.

Revelation 21:4 – He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

I contracted an auto immune disorder last fall which left me partially disabled for a time. There was a couple of weeks while we waited for a diagnosis that were tense. Of course we prayed for my healing, but I also prayed that God use this for his glory and my good. And he has. I’ve learned some things about my character that needed changing. After all, what gets our attention to needed change in our lives more effectively than pain or struggle?

In no way do I intend to minimize your suffering. Yet hold to the hope that there is a God that loves you, will use this circumstance for good and there will be a day when your suffering will end and never return.