02/06/2024
Sunday’s message
sometimes it isn’t about you.
Suffering for Others
What is not so well-known, however, is the notion of suffering or penance on behalf of others so that the suffering can actually help them to attain salvation. God can and does apply the suffering of Person A to the soul of Person B, to benefit the latter. This is part and parcel of the Body of Christ
Seton magazine, Feb 24, 2015
Romans 5:2-5
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost
When I was battling active multiple sclerosis, I remember laying in front of the toilet, beating the side of the tub with my fist, and yelling at God. I recall that in my mind very vividly because I was at a very, very low point and just could not understand why God would be doing that to me.
Now that I have recovered from that terrible disease, I realize that by going through that I am able to minister to millions of people and give them hope.
So you see, really that trial wasn’t all about me, it was going to yield greater fruit for many others.
Many times as we go through a trial, our focus becomes centered on ourselves, and it may not even be for us. God has given us strength to get through the battle, and although it may be difficult for us, God already knows that we will get through it, and it really was not about us, it is about the people who were watching us
people constantly are watching our lives, and we are not even aware. They want to know if the God we serve is real, and if we will crack under the pressure of all the trials, and reject our God.
To question God is normal, we do not understand. To reject the creator, is not normal. That is a lie of the enemy.
When we look at Job, at all the pain and suffering that he had endured, the Bible tells us that he did not sin by rejecting God, rather, he fell on his face and said these words:
“ Naked I came and naked I shall go, Blessed be the name of the Lord.”
What faith that must’ve taken!
God had really blessed Job, and Satan tried to say he only worshiped God because God was blessing him.
God 🙏 had indeed blessed Job, but that was not the reason Job chose to follow God.
Do you also bless the name of the lord in the hard times? Sometimes that could be rather difficult I know. But that is what we are to do. Whether we are going through some good experiences, or the worst experiences of our lives, we should praise the name of the Lord
As I’ve stated here before I support missionaries, widows, orphans, and single mothers. If I do not pay on time, sometimes they want to remind me of my commitment.
Possibly I’ve had a hardship that has slowed up a payment. So it is not always just one person, that is not receiving, it is multiple people. But when you are going through a physical hardship, it is hard. Our focus becomes just us, and we are not looking at what others are going through.
I remember one time a gentleman was complaining to me that he was getting tired after working out three times a week and wondered whether his multiple sclerosis was causing that. I told him that was like me walking into a cancer ward, and telling the person laying in bed with stage four cancer, that I had a terrible cold, and I wondered if they thought I would get over it quickly.
Many times we are going through
A very tough situation, and although there are people going through things much harder. Although we can empathize with them, it doesn’t make us feel better necessarily that they are experiencing something worse.
Have faith, regardless of your situation, God has not left you and God has not forsaken you. Many times we just need to hold on, bow our heads, and pray for strenght.
Please continue to pray for Brenda that she grow stronger and that her TMJ leaves.