This reading from John Eldridge’s Restoration Year is such a helpful reminder not to interpret our suffering as abandonment from God…
The more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. 2 CORINTHIANS 1:5 NLT
Suffering will try to separate you from Jesus. You must not let it. The worst part of suffering is the damage it can do to your
view of God, your relationship with him. Feelings of abandonment creep in: Why did he let this happen? Anger. A loss of hope.
Mistrust. At the very time you need him most, you will feel most compelled to pull away from Jesus, or feel that he’s pulled away from you.
There is a popular theology out there that says a Christian can avoid suffering. (Most of us have unknowingly embraced it—sim-ply notice your reaction when life turns on you.) It is a devastating heresy because suffering will come, and then what will you do? It shakes your faith in God because you thought it wouldn’t come, shouldn’t come.
Be very careful and pay attention to how you interpret your suffering. Beware of the agreements you make. This is where the enemy can destroy you. Agreements such as God has abandoned me; It’s my fault; and a host of others. If you’ve been making these agreements, you will want to break them. They allow a chasm to form between you and your Jesus.
Too many Christians simply fold under hardship and give way to the feelings of abandonment. Instead, protect your heart and your relationship with God by inviting Jesus into your suffering. Where do you need to do that today?
Recent Comments