Suffering is lonely,

Image by *clairity* via FlickrSuffering is lonely, and it brings the sufferer into a new relationship with himself. Suffering purges everything that is not central to life (ambitions, love of money, vanity about appearance; etc.). Suffering teaches us the absolute limit to our abilities. In losing ambitions, innocence, and competence to save themselves, sufferers may come to know their own inner core.




Suffering produced perseverance which in turn produced character (Rom. 5:3-4). Even Jesus learned obedience through suffering (Heb. 5:8).



Someone who has "suffered in his body is done with sin," Peter wrote, and "as a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God" (1 Peter 4:1-2).



Do not try to control the uncontrollable. Control what you can; your attitude. Remember this is all to train you to change that attitude in order to turn all of this over to him and release yourself so you can go to heaven. And if you do; he promised not to save you from the challenge, but provide perfect peace.



God's Love in Living



The bottom line in dealing with suffering and 'bad things' is God's love is everywhere and available for everyone who accepts it. He shows His presence through peoples smiles and the bird flying through the air. He likes to show His love and to talk to us softly. We know God is real, in what we feel in our heart and by the way He acts in our lives.



"We feel honestly the pull of many obligations and try to fulfill them all. And we are unhappy, uneasy, strained, oppressed, and fearful we shall be shallow... We have hints that there is a way of life vastly richer and deeper than all this hurried existence, a life of unhurried serenity and peace and power." (Thomas kelly's - Testament of Devotion).



When we live as a Child of God the Father, thoughts and decisions flow from the Holy Spirit. All relevant data are considered to be sure, but decisions stem from a source deeper than facts and figures. Once we have understood the mind of the Father, we can speak our Yes or No with confidence.



It is one thing for God to come into us (and a very necessary thing), but it is quite another for us to come into God. In the first instance we are still the center of attention; in the second God is the focal point. When God comes into us we still have a certain autonomy; when we come into God we have come IN. He is in all and through all and above all. One God from whom all life is sustained.



The focus of Christianity becomes more clear when we change the image flow from God coming into us to our coming into God. "Christ in you" was certainly an important theme in Paul's teaching, but his favorite and most frequent image was of us "in Christ." In the latter case, Christ has become the reference point and we are making the movement into him. When we are in Christ, truly in Christ, our deeds and words are what He guides us to.



But we fool ourselves if we think that such a way of living is automatic or easy. We must desire it and seek it out. We must order our lives in particular ways.



At first you will find the effort difficult and your success will be low. That is all right; you are developing new spiritual muscles. With practice, the way of life will become more and more ingrained.