LOVE SUFFERS
..."LOVE SUFFERS LONG AND IS KIND..." I Corinthians 13:4
As children of the Most High God we should be able to endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Taking no thought for our life or for what we have need of.
"...After that you have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you." I Peter 5:10
"IN BRINGING MANY SONS TO GLORY, IT WAS FITTING THAT GOD, FOR WHOM AND THROUGH WHOM EVERYTHING EXISTS, SHOULD MAKE THE AUTHOR OF THEIR SALVATION PERFECT THROUGH SUFFERING. BOTH THE ONE WHO MAKES MEN HOLY AND THOSE WHO ARE MADE HOLY ARE OF THE SAME FAMILY. SO JESUS IS NOT ASHAMED TO CALL THEM BROTHERS." Hebrews 2:10-12
Some suffer, but what do we know about suffering? In our culture we purposefully have to train ourselves to endure even some of the lightest hardships. I have observed that at the slightest amount of static, conflict, disagreement, or differing of opinions, at anything that is causing us even a bit of discomfort --- it has become our habit (by embracing and watching the ways of the world) to relieve our flesh of any pain or irritation by whatever means possible. Some sign up for therapy. Others take a pill or multiple medications. Go to varioius doctors seeking a diagnosis and answers to their problems. Read self help books. Play extreme sports. Watch television to escape reality, drink alcohol to cope, and the list could go on.
"IF WE SUFFER, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us..." II Timothy 2:12
To put in plainly, we deny Jesus everytime we look to something else, or someone else to meet our needs, instead of allowing Him to be our All in All. IT IS BY HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED. The woman with the issue of blood was sick for twelve years and she spent all her worldly goods to purchase healing from physicians and only grew worse. (Mark 5:26) Until she reached for Jesus was she finally delivered from her miserable condition.
Suffering comes in all shapes and sizes, in variety packs, one at a time, and when you least expect it. Suffering could be different for everyone. Sufferings could be disappoinments, false accusations, offenses, having to persevere or endure through unpleasant circumstances.
"And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." Romans 8:17
"Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?" I Corinthians 6:7
"If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ." I Corinthians 9:12
So maybe before wanting to go 'set someone straight' we should remember that hurt feelings are only temporary. Love does not point out false, it covers them and makes them as if they are not there at all. Love covers over a multitude of sins. Love keeps no record of wrongs. LOVE SUFFERS LONG...
As children of the Most High God we should be able to endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Taking no thought for our life or for what we have need of.
"...After that you have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you." I Peter 5:10
"IN BRINGING MANY SONS TO GLORY, IT WAS FITTING THAT GOD, FOR WHOM AND THROUGH WHOM EVERYTHING EXISTS, SHOULD MAKE THE AUTHOR OF THEIR SALVATION PERFECT THROUGH SUFFERING. BOTH THE ONE WHO MAKES MEN HOLY AND THOSE WHO ARE MADE HOLY ARE OF THE SAME FAMILY. SO JESUS IS NOT ASHAMED TO CALL THEM BROTHERS." Hebrews 2:10-12
Some suffer, but what do we know about suffering? In our culture we purposefully have to train ourselves to endure even some of the lightest hardships. I have observed that at the slightest amount of static, conflict, disagreement, or differing of opinions, at anything that is causing us even a bit of discomfort --- it has become our habit (by embracing and watching the ways of the world) to relieve our flesh of any pain or irritation by whatever means possible. Some sign up for therapy. Others take a pill or multiple medications. Go to varioius doctors seeking a diagnosis and answers to their problems. Read self help books. Play extreme sports. Watch television to escape reality, drink alcohol to cope, and the list could go on.
"IF WE SUFFER, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us..." II Timothy 2:12
To put in plainly, we deny Jesus everytime we look to something else, or someone else to meet our needs, instead of allowing Him to be our All in All. IT IS BY HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED. The woman with the issue of blood was sick for twelve years and she spent all her worldly goods to purchase healing from physicians and only grew worse. (Mark 5:26) Until she reached for Jesus was she finally delivered from her miserable condition.
Suffering comes in all shapes and sizes, in variety packs, one at a time, and when you least expect it. Suffering could be different for everyone. Sufferings could be disappoinments, false accusations, offenses, having to persevere or endure through unpleasant circumstances.
"And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." Romans 8:17
"Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?" I Corinthians 6:7
"If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ." I Corinthians 9:12
So maybe before wanting to go 'set someone straight' we should remember that hurt feelings are only temporary. Love does not point out false, it covers them and makes them as if they are not there at all. Love covers over a multitude of sins. Love keeps no record of wrongs. LOVE SUFFERS LONG...
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