Jesus Calls All: Suffering

January 2, 2012

Jesus Calls All - 77

Jesus calls All – 77 Why does God allow pain, suffering, struggling and bad things to happen to even good people?
Genesis 3:18b … "Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life.

There is a benefit to all this misery we experience. Together with the good we receive, we now have this unfair blend of good and evil that we all deal with. Some get more of one and less of another. Education, attitude, faith and sheer luck (aka; the Grace of God) all play a determining factor in how much good, and how much evil each of us will have to deal with.

But the curse God placed on earth is for our sake? For our benefit?? How can we benefit from bad things happening to us?

1) We experience a blend of good and evil (as promised above) on earth; either in the acts of nature or our own selfish motives, and we get to choose: for good, or for evil.

The curse of Genesis 3:18 above promises mankind a blend of good and evil all rolled into one planet. We get majestic mountains with snow, delicious food, oceans that start the rain cycle, rivers and beautiful flowers. We also have floods, earthquakes, and diseases. And thorns on that rosebush we love so well.

In addition, we as humans, who know what is good and what is evil, all too often choose to do that which is evil. We will lie, steal, murder, covet, dishonor our parents and/ or worship the almighty dollar; instead of our creator. Worse, we make excuses and blame others for the consequences that have fallen upon us as a result of the evil things we have chosen to do!

2) It gives us a reason to persevere.

Romans 5:3,4 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Defeating adversity gives us a huge sense of accomplishment and creates a bond with those who faced such tribulations together. Ask any football player, or one who has faced military combat. Even a simple family camping trip (when it rains) often becomes a fond memory in later years.

3) For everyone, it may point to our sin; a rebellion against God.

Proverbs 13:24 He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.
As a sinful people, when we choose to rebel against God, or even out of ignorance disobey His teaching, bad things will often happen. This can often be revealed to us when we turn to Him in prayer. Repentance and returning to God will either soften this punishment, or you will be led through it, usually coming out of the ordeal emotionally and spiritually stronger than before.

That said, the sin will never be counted against a follower of Jesus Christ. The non believer, who chooses to ignore the teachings of God will find themselves addicted to their sin (Romans 1:24), which will lead them to their doom.

4) For a Christian, it tests our faith.

Zechariah 13:9 I will bring the [one]-third through the fire, Will refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them. I will say, 'This [is] My people'; And each one will say, 'The LORD [is] my God.' "

Stress testing a physical object, such as a weld or a joint in a water or gas line, assures the connection between two pieces is strong enough to hold, and not break or leak. When difficulties face any of us, the Christian should see this as a test of faith: do we hold onto Jesus and trust Him, or do we try to take control of the situation? The non Christian has no faith, so he must rely on himself and his own determination. The lack of this faith in the Lord causes personal failures that remove all hope for this person…until they turn to God…or face death.

Ultimately, we can choose to follow a loving, caring God, who gave up His Son, Jesus the Christ, on a cross. All we have to do to choose God – to choose what is good and right - is to say, “Thank you Jesus, for your gift”. As a result, earth will be the only hell you will ever experience.

Should you choose to reject this free gift - or not make any choice at all - is the same as choosing evil. You are declaring you want to run your life your way, earning you eternity separated from God, in a place prepared for Satan and his demons. Fire and brimstone may or may not be part of this destination: terror and hate definitely will be.

And Earth will be the only heaven you will ever experience.

November 12, 2009

The recession/ depression and what's ahead

I imagine there are plenty of people suffering a terrible financial fate right now. I see them on street corners, at rescue missions and in churches. Many seem to have given up, but plenty are still fighting the good fight. If you are not one of them, I’m sure you know of at least one family who is struggling. This blog of encouragement is for them. Forward this to anyone who could use these words.

Fifteen years ago, I faced the most difficult time in my life. A failed business, debts of more than $20,000, no job, and no one wanting to hire me, not just because of my financial situation, but because I was labeled an “independent, not a team player”, due to my entrepreneurial mindset. So, living out of my car, a health club membership (for showers, etc.), and a cell phone (at almost $1.00 a minute!), I took any and every job I could imagine doing. I stacked lumber in a lumber mill. I cleaned barns and stables. I delivered phone books. It kept me alive, and showed others I had a good work ethic. Within 16 months, I found permanent work, and paid off the debts.

Today, I am not only a homeowner, but a landlord, and the same fate is hitting me again. Another successful business that went bad, I find myself doing day labor, preparing income taxes, bookkeeping, anything. And my past experiences are being put to use. My strength from God is holding me upright and while I am bending, I am not afraid of breaking, for my Lord and my God is right here with me.

Sound familiar?

My financial services background gives me some good insights on the current economy. This current recession is going to get ugly. Very ugly. Contrary to what the media is reporting, this is far from over. I’m reading reports it could last longer and be deeper than the great depression. During the great depression, like today, people lived in their cars or tents, while foreclosed homes were boarded up. This time, it looks like more people will be able to keep their homes, and the government will create more money to stimulate the economy. This action will probably backfire and cause a hyperinflation, every bit as disastrous as a depression. Darned if you do, darned if you don’t.

But charity in 1933 was more prevalent than today. God was in more American’s lives. Everybody helped everybody else. We took family members in, when we could, and sometimes even total strangers. So, aside from the occasional John Dillinger, or Bonnie and Clyde, law and order was the law of the land. Today, with more people turning away from God, we have government bailouts of banks, corporate and individual welfare so we don’t have to pay for the consequences of our bad choices, and the law of the land appears to be “every man for himself”. I fear wars, riots, plagues and a famine/ hyperinflation are just ahead, result in a day’s wages to buy a day’s supply of food. (Rev. 6:6) Fortunately, the Bible warns us about these times, and we can take comfort that knowing and seeking God and His righteousness, all the things we need on earth will be provided.

Some things I have learned from my struggles:

Suffering is good for you. It strengthens you. In fact, we should “rejoice in our sufferings, because suffering produces perseverance, and perseverance produces character, and character, hope.” (Romans 5:3, 4) Difficulties refine us and strengthen us. Fifteen years ago, I was torn down by God so He can rebuild me into a person more like Him. I am eternally grateful for the experience.

Suffering increases dependency on one another. They help us rely on one another, which makes us stronger. Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. (Ecc. 4:9-12) My wife and I are able to comfort each other and encourage one another, as well as our friends. And Christ is there with us, making an impossible “cord of three strands” to break.

Suffering reminds you God is there, with you. When all is well, we have a tendency to neglect God, and take Him for granted. It’s only when we get into trouble do we call on His name. Fortunately, God still hears us and is merciful. But imagine how many more blessings we will receive when we call out to God, in our triumphs as well as in our tragedies?

Remember, you are not alone. But your struggles are temporary. Hold your head up, and don’t feel sorry for yourself. Ask for help as you need it, it gives others joy to be helping you, while it gives you the humility we all need.

If you are blessed with good employment and are able to save money, save. Invest in companies that are financially strong and produce dividends, otherwise, save your money. This is a time to save. Retire as much debt as you can. Keep 6-12 months spending money at the ready: in cash, gold or silver, and/ or non perishable food. Most important, invest in God, in tithes and offerings, who is able to “open the floodgates of Heaven and pour out so much blessing you will not have enough room for it” (Malachi 3:10)

If you are blessed with a large house, be ready to share it with others. Our house is now a duplex, and the tenants provide us with additional cash flow, and they get to rent a place below market value, what they can afford. Our plans are to split it again, converting it into a triplex, and rent more rooms out. We win because our tenants help pay the mortgage, our tenants win by receiving below market rents, with utilities included.

Most of us believe the rapture will come before things get too terrible on earth. We need to be out of the way for the anti-christ. But we have no real idea when the rapture will take place; now, or 20 years from now. So we should live our lives as normal; work, save and share; and wait for our Lord to take us away. Although the world may end tomorrow, we still must plant a tree today.