Understand Suffering
God has purposes for the suffering that we experience. The apostle Peter encourages, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” (1 Peter 4:12-13)
Why is it important that we understand suffering? Because of the danger of developing bitterness as a reaction against it. Bitterness is the result of not seeing suffering from God’s perspective. The destruction that is caused by bitterness reaches all three aspects of our being: body, soul and spirit. There is a great risk of illness and disease because of a damaged immune system due to bitterness. It also causes a continual drain on emotional energy, making a person a candidate for emotional disorders. And since focus fixes on the one bitterness is aimed at, that person controls the bitter one’s life. Sadly, the worst result of bitterness is spiritual deception and bondage. The typical scenario of bitterness is as follows: Someone sins against me. My response is lack of forgiveness. A place in my soul is now Satan’s. The reason for my anger is replayed again and again. False thinking becomes a stronghold. Wrong decisions are made based on wrong thinking. My soul has become a place of torment. Physical health will eventually fail. The only solution to the problem is repentance from the bitterness that grew. Colossians 3:12-13 provides the true response—“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.”
Sin cera, Erik
Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.
