Michael continues: Because God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes upon him should not perish, but have everlasting life. In times of trial, God will discipline and correct those He loves. Through trying times, God will try our hearts … He will use adversity to show us the meaning of meekness and humility. That he alone is our strength and sufficiency to bear up under suffering. Daniel 11:35 says, And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.
Though our flesh will fail us, for the flesh is weak, He will show us that bearing up under pressure is in His strength, not ours. According to 1 Corinthians 10:13, There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Biblically speaking, there are two types of suffering. One comes with living in a sinful world and suffering is the state of the affairs of this fallen world of darkness. The other type of suffering is the suffering for Christ… Lamentations says, the Lord will not reject forever … he does not willingly afflict the sons of men.
As a loving Heavenly Father, God permits suffering according to Hebrews 12:7-11, “If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”
According to Luke 22:31-32, Jesus said to Peter, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
James 1:3-4 says, Knowing this, that the trying of your faith (through trials and temptations) worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. This theme continues in James 1:12, Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. We are God’s workmanship… He refines us through the crucible. He heats us in the furnace and when we are malleable and yielding, he hot-forges us, conforming us to His mold to transform us. He quenches us by plunging us into cold water. Then He heat-treats us in the furnace again to align the grain of our molecular structure according to His divine design. Finally, He grinds off our rough edges and buffets us to a high luster for His honor and glory.
God says, Draw upon the resources of my grace; heaven rejoices when you endure the fiery trial with a singing spirit. Be as a beacon light; my glory will shine through you and the light of my glory will be revealed through you, for my strength is made perfect in thy weakness, my grace is sufficient for the that we may live to the praise of the Glory of Thy grace!
Your brother in Christ, Michael
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