Sharing in each others suffering(part 4)

There is a process which can be defined as a process of Purposeful Suffering. This process takes us from our CRISIS to GROWTH. When we understand our CRISES in such a context the suffering we undergo can be brought to God through prayer for clarity. So here we go!:

1. Firstly, we encounter a problem that we are unable to solve using our own natural resources such as powers of reasoning, family/love relationship, social connections or business contact. This can also be a situation we can’t resolve no matter how hard we try. Very often the harder we try the worse it becomes.

2. Secondly, No one is immune from these everyday occurring crises, no matter how well disguised: The rich and famous, the powerful and influential, those who are confident and assertive, the shy and unassuming , the poor and needy, self employed people as well as employees! ALL OF THESE PEOPLE ARE VULNERABLE TO ENCOUNTERING THEIR PARTICULAR CRISES.NO ONE IS IMMUNE TO CRISES.

3. Thirdly, we have a better chance of surviving our crises if our diagnosis of that crisis is based on TRUTH. Not simply what is FACTUAL but the TRUTH! When we are relying on a FACTUAL ANALYSIS of our problem, we employ a scientific process of eliminating the least likely POSSIBILITIES to help point to a diagnosis. Although this method can help resolve a lot of natural problems it is limited when it comes to addressing some of the CRISES we face.

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Dear friends, each person is going to find themselves in one of two categories before taking their last breath on this side of time! We are either in a relationship with God or we are not! Whereas people MAY ENTERTAIN different concepts about God, very few can GENUINELY FAIL TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE OBVIOUS REALITY THAT A TRUE GOD EXISTS WHO IS THE CREATOR OF MANKIND,THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE , TIME AND ETERNITY. The concept of God declared in the Old and New Testament of the Bible underlines the truth principle that, this same God came down in the disguise of a human being to redeem mankind from a fallen state. This Bible also declares another concept about humankind. It differs from a lot of the theories from humanistic psychology which are based on the premise that a human person is ethically neutral or basically noble. This theory also states that the actions of a person are then shaped or influenced by his environment! Psychology may emphasize the influence factor and explain that the main reason someone commits a crime is because he lived in an environment where there were no role models. FACT! But the Biblical concept of mankind transcends the flaws in psychoanalysis. Logical reasoning has its part but it is limited in explaining why individuals who have been in an ‘ideal’ environment exhibit such moral failings. Why such a high incidence of substance misuse, cocaine use, alcohol dependency and social crimes among this group.



The TRUTH according to the Bible is that each of us is influenced by an Evil spiritual plague that is hereditary. This plague has been contagious since the first human parents contracted the disease. It has spread since then through their genes to us all and has a tendency for REBELLION AGAINST OUR CREATOR. This rebellion is exhibited primarily if a human person refuses or fails to acknowledge God in worship!



Friends, in case you are wondering what the subject ‘suffering’ has to do with the concept of God and of Humankind let me reintroduce the verses that I shared with you in Part 3 of this reflection

Romans 6:18 ‘For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us(italics mine…the word revealed suggests that this glory is now hidden or disguised but it will soon be on exhibition).v19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God v20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subject the same in hope(italics mine…in other words there is a purpose in this suffering)v21Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God(italics is mine…corruption is the best definition for anything that is temporal and our circumstances and present hardships are temporal so we will outgrow them).v22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now(italics is mine… creation refers to our surroundings and our circumstances are included in all the bad news and tragedy that happens)



According to the Bible, dear friends God is dealing with an outbreak of a spiritual PLAGUE. Our crises are a reflection of the fact that we are suffering from the impact of a sin plagued existence! Romans 6v22 provides an illustration ‘For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now (italics is mine… creation refers to our surroundings and our circumstances are included in all the bad news and tragedy that happens).

Although we are mainly concerned about how to rid ourselves of some of the effects of this plague God is interested in preventing re-infection after we make a recovery from our crises.



Am I suggesting that all suffering is purposeful or meaningful? ‘No’! ‘Non’! ‘Nyet’! Purpose begins with entering into a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. This does not mean simply joining a church group or having a conversion experience some years ago(These have their place in a relationship with God)! But it means that after having been convicted about the reality of our spiritual state, which is that WE TESTED POSITIVE FOR THE SIN VIRUS FOR WHICH WE REALISE THERE IS NO HUMAN CURE! THEN WE ACCEPT THE ANTIDOTE (THE CURE )WHICH IS FORGIVENESS AND CLEANSING THROUGH THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST. IT IS LIKE JESUS BECOMES A DONOR OF A NEW LIFE. WE ARE IN ‘LIFE FAILURE’ ‘MORAL FAILURE’ A BIT LIKE ONE WHO HAS SUFFERED AN ORGAN FAILURE. JESUS DONATED HIS LIFE WHICH IS A PERFECT SUBSTITUTE THAT GOD WOULD NOT REJECT.



What about our suffering? The life of Jesus Christ is has immunity against the effects of the crises of Sin. The Human nature crumbles under pressure. Crises release the worse in us. But when we are in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ we have an opportunity to TRUST HIM ON A DAILY BASIS INSPITE OF OUR PAIN AND SUFFERING.



TRUST IN GOD BRINGS US INTO THE EXPERIENCE OF THE R-E-A-L-I-T-Y OF GOD, WHEREAS CORRESPONDING ACTIONS OF TRUST HELP BRING ABOUT A LIVE EXPERIENCE OR OUTWARD MANIFESTATION OF WHAT WE ARE RELYING ON GOD FOR.



So when do we SEE the actual changes to our circumstances? It always happens after we hear from God. This is why we need to have a personal relationship with God. A true relationship involves dialogue. If our dealings with God involves Appeals which are never acknowledged it is likely we aren’t getting any feedback about the timings involved in our circumstances. This is not something we must rely on a specialist to do for us…..although that can be a stimulus to our faith. We will never have the kind of result that endures if we continue to rely on professional clergymen and ministers to do our praying for us. Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead so that He can establish the priesthood of the believer.



We are urged to come BOLDLY TO THE THRONE OF GRACE IN OUR TIME OF NEED

Hebrews 4:15,16 ‘We need to hold on to our declaration of faith: We have a Chief High Priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses.

He was tempted in every way that we are, but he didn’t sin(my paraphrase….Jesus Christ is immune to the plague of sin). V16 So we can go

Confidently to the throne of God’s kindness to receive mercy and find kindness, which will help us at the right time.



In our next reflection, I intend to share a bit more on how our ‘Crises’ can be an experience of purposeful suffering that leads to ‘Growth’. When we understand this process we are ‘Motivated’ to trust God. The experience of prayer becomes a real one in which we develop the spiritual hearing to receive guidance from the Lord about our individual situation. We may receive from other ministers who have a prophetic utterance or insight to encourage us. But this confirms what we are experiencing and practising in our own relationship with God. It does not become a substitute of have a real relationship with God(to be continued).



In conclusion dear friend, if you are not sure what your answer would be at Heaven’s gate, to the question ‘Give one reason why you should be admitted into heaven’? If you have never fully surrendered your heart to Jesus Christ; if you do not have a thriving or functional personal relationship with Him, then please join me in a prayer. Let THIS BE THE ESSENCE OF WHAT YOU TELL GOD RIGHT NOW:

Dear Jesus, son of the living God, I recognize that I am a sinner. I repent from my sin and surrender my life to you. Please

Forgive me of my wrongdoing, impure motives and cleanse me with your precious blood. I invite you into my heart to live in me and be

My savior and Lord. Thank you for saving me. Amen.



Thank you for praying and if you have received this e-mail because it was forwarded to you by a friend or family do let me

know by e-mailing me at john@vocation4lifefoundation.org. Meanwhile, if you are praying this prayer sincerely for the first time

find a Bible or contact me to send you one. In addition ask God to lead you to a church that believes and teaches the truth

of God's word, especially that Jesus Christ is the only name given among men whereby men and women can be saved(Acts 4:12).



God Bless you



John