An incredible God deserves incredible praise! We can't thank him enough. In all things, we learn to give him praise. Even, in times of suffering. No one like to suffer. We all would like to be free of health pain, family issues, financial challenges, and anything that cause discomfort. But the life of believers is not like that. Believers learn that to take a stand for the righteousness of Christ, we will suffer. Greatly, Christ suffered the cross so that our sins will be forgiven.
For believers in the faith, suffering is good because it keeps us connected to God. If we did not go through, we would not know how good he is and realize our dependence on God for all things. Religiously, a cross is a symbol of death. Yet, it gives an eternal hope of redemption. "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." To deny self is to seek the kingdom of heaven. The choices that we make come from within. We must transform our hearts to desire the things of God and not things that would separate us from him. We must deny our own needs that could lead to self-destruction. In doing so we take up our cross. One of the most difficult things is to deny one's self. Selfishness, pride, evy, and self-pleasures are exposed. These actions must be destroyed and replaced with the goodness that comes when following Christ.
People of faith do not suffer alone. Christ took up his cross and he bore the heavy burden of sin. He had no sin and he did not deserve the way of the cross. But it was the will of his Father in heaven for us. Give up those things that can cause you to look faith in the love of God. Let his will become your will. In times of suffering, praise him with songs and melodies to keep the enemy confused. It is his plan to take advantage of those difficult times by tempting us to deny the presence of our Savior to deliver us.
If I suffer, tells us that in Christ we will gain so much more than we could ever do for ourselves. We can give nothing in exchange for our soul. God does not want what we have. He wants us! We often toss thoughts as to why do we go through difficult times when we pray and believe. It's not that God can't or won't answer our prayers. But only while we suffer and patiently trust him, will we experience the power of our Savior. "The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." To suffer in Christ is to make it to our eternal destination, heaven. Keep holding on to your salvation for your suffering is not in vain in the Lord. For if I suffer, I shall gain eternal life.
This entire message from Pastor Koromah is available on our Youtube channel "If I Suffer". Click subscribe to get more of our messages about salvation in Jesus Christ. You may contact us at 1pathtojesus@gmail.com.
May God bless you and your families in his spirit, health, and wealth.
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