Suffering
"For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake" (Philippians 1:29)
This entry shows what Christ can do if you give your suffering, pain and broken heartedness to Him. I thought about writing my own insights, but I simply would not be able to state it as eloquently as the following passage from the Streams in the Desert journal. The only thing that I would add is the verse above, which says to me that if we are walking with God, we will inevitable suffer by the hands of the world. But do not fear, for God has overcome the world. (John 16:33) One thing is for certain, it was suffering and not comfort that brought forth the wisdom, joy and love behind this quotation. Lord, help me to have a heart like this:
“There is a divine mystery in suffering, a strange and supernatural power in it, which has never been fathomed by human reason. There has never been known great saintliness of soul which did not pass through great suffering. When the suffering soul reaches a calm sweet carelessness, when it can inwardly smile at its own suffering; and does not even ask God to deliver it from suffering, then it has wrought its blessed ministry; then patience has its perfect work; then the crucifixion begins to weave itself into a crown.
“It is in this state of the perfection of suffering that the Holy Spirit works many marvelous things in our souls. In such a condition, our whole being lies perfectly under the hand of God; ever faculty of the mind and will and heart are at last subdued; a quietness of eternity settles down into the whole being; the tongue grows still, and has but few words to say; it stops asking God questions; it stops crying, “Why hast thou forsaken me?
“The imagination stops building air castles, or running off on foolish lines; the reason is tame and gentle; the choices are annihilated; it has no choice in anything but the purpose of God. The affections are weaned from all creatures and all things; it is so dead that nothing can hurt it, nothing can offend it, nothing can hinder it, nothing can get in its way; for let the circumstances be what they may, it seeks only for God and His will, and it feels assured that God is making everything in the universe, good or bad, past or present, work together for its good.
“Oh, the blessedness of being absolutely conquered! Of losing our own strength, and wisdom, and plans, and desires and being where every atom of our nature is like placid Galilee under the omnipotent feet of our Jesus.”
"Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name." (Acts 5:41)
"I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." (Romans 8:18)
"but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope." (Romans 5:3-4)
This entry shows what Christ can do if you give your suffering, pain and broken heartedness to Him. I thought about writing my own insights, but I simply would not be able to state it as eloquently as the following passage from the Streams in the Desert journal. The only thing that I would add is the verse above, which says to me that if we are walking with God, we will inevitable suffer by the hands of the world. But do not fear, for God has overcome the world. (John 16:33) One thing is for certain, it was suffering and not comfort that brought forth the wisdom, joy and love behind this quotation. Lord, help me to have a heart like this:
“There is a divine mystery in suffering, a strange and supernatural power in it, which has never been fathomed by human reason. There has never been known great saintliness of soul which did not pass through great suffering. When the suffering soul reaches a calm sweet carelessness, when it can inwardly smile at its own suffering; and does not even ask God to deliver it from suffering, then it has wrought its blessed ministry; then patience has its perfect work; then the crucifixion begins to weave itself into a crown.
“It is in this state of the perfection of suffering that the Holy Spirit works many marvelous things in our souls. In such a condition, our whole being lies perfectly under the hand of God; ever faculty of the mind and will and heart are at last subdued; a quietness of eternity settles down into the whole being; the tongue grows still, and has but few words to say; it stops asking God questions; it stops crying, “Why hast thou forsaken me?
“The imagination stops building air castles, or running off on foolish lines; the reason is tame and gentle; the choices are annihilated; it has no choice in anything but the purpose of God. The affections are weaned from all creatures and all things; it is so dead that nothing can hurt it, nothing can offend it, nothing can hinder it, nothing can get in its way; for let the circumstances be what they may, it seeks only for God and His will, and it feels assured that God is making everything in the universe, good or bad, past or present, work together for its good.
“Oh, the blessedness of being absolutely conquered! Of losing our own strength, and wisdom, and plans, and desires and being where every atom of our nature is like placid Galilee under the omnipotent feet of our Jesus.”
"Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name." (Acts 5:41)
"I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." (Romans 8:18)
"but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope." (Romans 5:3-4)
posted by Brad at 11:48 AM
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