Get Ready Floyd's about to Preach a Sermon

Who is suffering? Who is in a struggle? Why would God do this to me? Why did God let this happen? How can a true loving God allow me to go through this?

Let me go ahead and tell you Suffering Sucks! But........... Here we go...
(God gave this to me this morning after a conversation Susan and Meme about a family member and the more I thought about it it fits all of us in one way or another.)

Suffering is undesirable for obvious reasons, but it's still necessary because:We are resistant to change. We will only grow up if we're forced.It helps us keep our bearings (it reminds us to pray).Through suffering we can identify with Christ.

1 Pet. 3:13-17 Suffering for the sake of Christ

"And who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, 15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; 16 and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong."

Christ also suffered! The Lord understands what we go through, because He already walked the way before us. Not only that, He understands what we go through because He goes through it all over again with each one of us.
At this point it would do us good to remember why Christ suffered. He suffered for me! Is it not fitting then that I should get to suffer for Him?

We share His sufferings.
Colossians 1:24 gives us an idea to think about and encouragement for us as well:
"Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church."
There seems to be a sense in which we get the "leftovers" of the Lord's afflictions!
Because we share in His sufferings we can reap the benefits(2 Corinthians 1:5 For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows)
The life of Jesus manifest in us (2 Corinthians 4:10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

God is glorified
We like credit for what we accomplish. We like recognition for what we suffer.(Like our FAST) But what should really compel us to joy in suffering is the fact that God receives glory when His people distinguish themselves under persecution. "On your part he is glorified."

I know some of you are not use to Floyd getting deep- However since my Fast God has charged me to become a servant of the Gospel- Eph 3:7 Of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God's grace which was given to me according to the working of His power.

When we suffer
We should first check our self to see if we are being disciplined.
In 1 Cor 11:27-32 Paul describes 3 stages of discipline, from easy to hard and tells us to "judge ourselves, that we be not judged". Then, if we know we are not out of God's will, we can accept the suffering as for a purpose, and from our loving Heavenly Father.

In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thess 5:18.9. Rejoice! The happiest we can be as a child of God can be is "in fellowship" and centered in God's will.
No matter what, our future is bright.
God, who has called us, after we have suffered a while, (according to His will) will in due time, make us mature, established, strengthened, and settled, 1 Pet 5:6-10

There is some really good news for you -There is no suffering for God's people in eternity: Rev 21:4.

I don't know what you are going through or what God is teaching you but I do know that He has a plan for your life that is better than your plan for your life ( I stole that from Jarrod, actually it is a REAL BIBLE VERSE Jeremiah 29: 11 While you may not understand all the twists and turns of life, you can be sure of one thing: the same God who created you loves you and has an awesome plan for your future. )

Praying for us-

Floyd