“Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour.” — John 12:27
These were Jesus’ words before He was betrayed and crucified. If anyone knows about suffering, it’s Jesus. His suffering was foretold in the book of Genesis. In fact, the prophet Isaiah even called Him the “Man of Sorrows”.
What did Jesus do when He knew He was about to be betrayed, falsely accused, beaten, mocked and hung to die on public display? He entrusted His life to the will of His Father. Without a doubt, He knew of His upcoming torture. And He didn’t complain. Instead, He did something amazing. He prayed, “Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” — John 12: 28
Jesus knows that our suffering is not meaningless. Even if we don’t understand it in our lifetime, it has meaning. I know the struggles and burdens some of you are working through right now. At times, I’m overwhelmed by them.
You Are Not Alone
For those of you who are suffering, please know that you are not alone. God loves you so much. I pray that the “peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds” in these times of trouble. Your suffering shouldn’t become a wedge between you and God and His Church. Use your suffering for God’s glory — look back on it and say, “God helped me suffer well.”
Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 4:17, “this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” Christian, you need to understand that suffering and glory go hand in hand. God uses those who have suffered to help those who are suffering. Additionally, He uses suffering to bring us into a better, more intimate relationship with Himself.
None of your sorrow is in vain. If you are hurting, please reach out to someone. You are not alone — you are surrounded by brothers and sisters who love you. You have a good and loving Father who listens when you pray to Him!
Let’s learn from Jesus’ example. He prayed because He knew God listened. When we pray, God listens to us.
Praying and believing,
Posted in A Word from the Pastor