“The flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of all.” (Walt Disney Company) Can there really be beauty amidst suffering? According to the Walt Disney Company the answer is yes. I also believe this to be true for the Christian believer. Not only did Christ’s suffering lead to the most beautiful true love story of all time, but Scripture also attests to it: Romans 5:3-5 tells us to rejoice in our suffering, “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” James 1:2 tells us, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.” If this is so, then there can also be beauty (joy & hope) for the Christian that is suffering. The answer is YES.

While, it is a fact that as humans it’s in our nature to try and escape suffering at all costs to the point of denial, the truth is that suffering could serve as a true blessing! The greatest gift is Love and I’m learning that the truest blessing in life is to know Love personally. God is Love and to know God is all we need. While some blessings can come and go and others are lasting, the pursuit of these blessings is a sin. Sometimes we think it’s God’s job to pursue us because we are His, but what about the greatest commandment which is to love God. So if a little or a lot of suffering is what it takes to learn that to know & love our God is our greatest gift then I count it all as joy and I am not just thankful; I am in love J

Does this mean that I should seek suffering? The answer is NO. Because that would also be a pursuit of a blessing which is sin. While God does allow suffering in our lives and uses it for our greater good that doesn’t mean that we should invite suffering. Also, important to note is that when God does bring suffering, we should not fall victim to the suffering but instead trust that God’s Word and promises are true. He tells us that many are the afflictions of the righteous but He is faithful and will deliver us from them all! So what to do when suffering? The answer is PRAY and TRUST! He will see us through.

Are you suffering in silence? The answer should be NO, because we have a God who loves us beyond measure and is with us even in our worst. Knowing God is knowing His perfect Love and His perfect Love never fails and never runs out. He will never leave us or forsake us. He truly adores us and enjoys spending time with us. While God doesn’t need our love to survive, He does desire it. So let’s turn our suffering into joy… our mourning into dancing… and our sadness into gladness! Amen ❤