Suffering - Why Lord?

Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. -- Hebrews 5:8

Sometimes it can be overwhelming to think that God allowed his only righteous Son to pay for our sins.  Our eyes fill up with tears, our minds a bit confused, and our stomachs ache to even think of having to do something like that with our own children.  But God...


When we are going through mental or physical illness or with someone else, the question might surface, "Why?"  A mature believer might quickly caution you to watch with that questioning God.  However, suffering will cause you to do it.  Job, David, and God's own Son in their suffering were weak and may not have acted in ways we thought they should.  But when one is weak, they are strong so the Bible says.  In all of their suffering, they learned obedience.  We should do the same!


However, too often the believer will act like the unbeliever wanting to know why would a righteous God do this and that.  When these sorts of thoughts come up, consider what you have prayed.  In order for one's heart to be humbled, an answer to pray come forth, and other matters be dealt with, sometimes a certain degree of suffering must take place.  Men and women's hearts rebel against the people and things of God.  They will not always do what they are told, they will resist; therefore, causing suffering for all in their path.  Consider the book of Exodus and the many trials the Israelites had to endure.  The Pharaoh was unwilling to simply hand over the children of God, he put up a fight and that rebellion caused unnecessary suffering.  We all can make life easier for ourselves if we would just listen to our Father and do what he says especially when we have prayed many prayers.


Whether a man wants a desired job or a partner wants to reconcile, whatever the issue, seek God!  Sometimes are suffering produces good fruit, peace, love and happiness, but other times we find ourselves suffering and there are no visible results.  Take the time to ask God to show you why are you suffering and ask Him to give you relief.  Whether he answers you or not, know that you are growing closer to Him, learning to rely on Him through your storms.  In time, you will find yourself helping others who may be going through a similar trial.


Solution:

Read the word of God, praise Him, and get yourself around like-minded believers so that you can be motivated to fight the good fight.  When you know that you have done all that you can do to make wrongs right in a situation, put the trouble-maker, backslider, argumentative, or negative person or group in God's hands and watch God work!

A look back…

Do you recall a major life event where you or someone you know was suffering much?  What was the end result?  Were you or this person better because of it?  If not, what might you do differently?  We learn the hard way usually because we have been disobedient to God.  An unrighteous lifestyle with wicked people in one's inner circle will add to suffering.  Unwise choices will prolong suffering as well.  Save yourself the drama and follow God's precepts no matter how much you disagree.  The bible says, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding..." Proverbs 3:5.
  

Scripture Reference


James 5:10
Peter 2:19
2 Timothy 2:3
Romans 5:3

 

Prayer


Dear Lord, be with this person who has stumbled across this site.  He or she is suffering and needs relief.  Let your word be a comfort.  Order his or her steps toward peace.  Lead this person out of darkness into your marvelous light.  Protect the reader from all harm and danger as well as enemy schemes.  Bring healing swiftly, Lord!  In Jesus name, Amen.

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Is It Worth the Fight? When People Have Something Negative to Say

Sometimes people can rub us the wrong way when they say and do things in an attempt to make us feel inferior, angry, guilty, jealous, etc.  The first reaction is usually to say something.  "Excuse me, what did you say?" we might ask.  Before long, we are lured into a battle, where if we aren't too careful, we are name-calling, cursing, and wishing death be upon the person who has offended us.

As we learn more about our heavenly Father and draw near to him, he will show us that most things that people say and do is not worth a response.  Think about Jesus enduring all of that trouble leading up to his hanging on the cross, yet he said nothing. 

Sometimes we are slow to realize that Satan is attempting to draw us into a war--a battle of words, so that we look badly in the eyes of those who need a Savior.  Why would the lost be interested in God when it is obvious that he doesn't seem to be doing too much for our bad attitudes?

There is indeed a time for battle, but we don't know when that is unless we are intuned to our Father.  So the next time someone challenges you with a snide remark, a deep sigh, an eye roll, or a glare, remember that God sees all.  Say to yourself, "Lord Jesus, you see what I am doing and you know the heart of that person who is acting negatively.  Put more love in my heart.  Speak a word to them.  Use me as you see fit."  Whatever you need to say to yourself to take your eyes off of the one who is offending you, do it.  You never know when your blessing is right around the corner!

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.…" -- James 1:2-3

Nicholl McGuire shares other useful information on YouTube channel: nmenterprise7.

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When the Enemy is a Relative, Friend or Partner

No one anticipates that he or she will be a sparring partner for someone who is a close relative or friend.  You don't expect God to use you, a mere vessel, to whip a loved one into shape while God works on you too during the process.  You might assume some people are like you, they will just learn to love the Lord and trust in Him without any significant battle looming especially if it is one involving yourself.  But sometimes God's timing is not ours and his methods of reaching someone doesn't look remotely similar to what we might expect.

So here you are a man or woman flawed and being used to test your relative, partner or friend.  You experience a supernatural feeling that seems to disappear from your body either a week or so before the big blow up.  You feel alone, distant from God, and you hope that He is still with you.  Days or weeks later, the results of God's distance in your life is truly felt.  What has come over you?  You tend to  act in ways you didn't expect with someone God has marked.  A person with real issues that you simply can't deal with and seem to be all alone in your trial with him or her.  Your sparring partner is just as confused as you are once the match comes to an end.  "How did we end up like this?  What just happened, I'm confused."  Disagreements, angry words, no sign of Jesus, and an empty feeling that causes you to doubt whether you are a believer.  Welcome to a new level in your spiritual walk!  The same God who you might have felt left you, was still close all the time! 

You might have heard an old expression, "New levels, new devils" among Christians.  Well, when God puts us through some life challenges, He has a way of working it all out for our good.  You walk away from spiritual warfare unscathed.  You feel renewed in mind, body and spirit.  You have yet another new perspective on your walk.  You draw near to your heavenly Father.  In addition, you might have noticed that your sparring partner realizes that God is after he or she using you.  This person may not ever see you in the same way again, but God!

God's chosen will be used to draw God's chosen near at times.  Did you catch that?  Re-read.  It is during those spiritual battles that the one who is having to present truth in a way that is like someone screaming over a megaphone must exercise as much self-control as he or she can muster through the help of God.  Even if you feel like you really want to shake the lies right out of your loved one, smack your friend, and kick your partner out the house, you must refrain.  God will permit the enemy to take you ever so close to the edge of what you might think is a mental breakdown, when in fact it is nothing more than spiritual breakthrough (Read the book of Job). 

A spiritual awakening doesn't always show up in a praise or shout, lying prostrate before the Lord, singing, praying, or passing out in the Spirit.  It can come in the least likely way for a season.  Your loved one can look like your worst enemy!  But hold on, just hold on to God's unchanging hand!  

Confess any sin committed during your spiritual test, repent of your ways.  Forgive those who have offended you (meaning stop plotting revenge or wishing evil on them).  Realize that having sparring partners every now and then strengthens your faith and keeps you humble.  A boxer can't win a match without some practice!  When the trial is complete, wear your spiritual armor for the next one if you forgot to put it on the last one.  Some prideful Christians learn through many fights, they just aren't as good as they might have thought.  God is still refining you.

Nicholl McGuire

 

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Face Your Foe - Christian Book by Non-fiction Author Nicholl McGuire

Crying, arguing, angry, and miserable with enemies, the Christian who feels that God is so far away that He doesn't care will need encouragement. 

Those that read Know Your Enemy: The Christian's Critic came away with a sense of understanding on how Satan and his minions operate when dealing with God's anointed.  But the work doesn't just stop with knowing, one must be willing to take a stand when necessary.  Face Your Foe does that!  A Christian book that provides readers with a sense of direction when it comes to verbalizing one's emotions when in the presence of enemies.  It also gives insight on working with enemies at work, home and elsewhere while maintaining his or her faith in God.

The release date is scheduled for Spring 2015.  Those interested in reserving their copies will need to contact the writer to be placed on the list.  There will be a limited number of books available, so  write to nichollmcguire@yahoo.com and put in the email subject header, Reserve My Copy.  In the meantime, if you haven't read Know Your Enemy: The Christian's Critic, do so here: https://www.createspace.com/3437273
 

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