40 Days of Seeking First The Kingdom of God
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Daily Insight
Through trials and tribulations, we are reminded of the fallen state of our world, yet also given hope and redemption as we live under the Kingdom authority rule of Jesus.
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Romans 8:28 (CSB)
28We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
When grappling with the reality of suffering in our lives as Christians, it's crucial to confront it with a heart open to what God is teaching us through it. Romans 8:28 doesn't merely offer a comforting thought; it's a radical call to trust in God's unfathomable goodness and sovereignty, even in the midst of pain and confusion. Let's dive into understanding suffering from a perspective that seeks to align with God's heart.
1. Suffering is Part of the Fallen World:
Understanding the state of our world as fallen is essential. In Romans 8:20–22, we read about creation being subjected to futility, groaning in its current state. It's not just about personal suffering; it's about the collective groan of a world under the weight of sin. The suffering we experience is a symptom of this broader cosmic brokenness. But here's the incredible part: it points us to a hope and a future where God will redeem and restore everything. It's a reminder that this world is not our final home. There's a promise of redemption, a hope that God will make all things new.
But let me offer you a more vibrant illustration. Imagine you're walking through a neighborhood and come across a house that's seen better days. Its paint is peeling, windows broken, the garden overrun with weeds. It stands in stark contrast to the newer, well-maintained homes around it. This house, in its current state, is much like our world under the curse of sin—broken, decaying, a shadow of what it was meant to be.
Yet, the story doesn't end there. Imagine now that this house, as dilapidated as it is, has been bought by a master builder. He sees beyond the decay and disrepair. He envisions a home restored to its original beauty, perhaps even surpassing it. This master builder is already at work, planning, cleaning, fixing, transforming this rundown structure into a place of beauty and splendor.
That's the picture of what God is doing with our fallen world. Our current suffering and the state of our world are like that dilapidated house—a vivid reminder of the consequences of sin. But, just like the master builder, God has a plan for restoration and redemption. He's in the business of making all things new. The suffering we see and experience is temporary, like the broken windows and peeling paint. It points us to a future - a promise that God is going to renovate this world into something glorious, something far beyond what we can imagine.
So, when we look at our world, with all its pain and brokenness, let's remember the master builder. Let's hold on to the hope that He is not done yet. He's working on a restoration project of cosmic proportions, and one day, we will see the fullness of His work—a world renewed and free from the groans of suffering. This world, as we see it now, is not our final home. We await a future, a restored home, where every tear will be wiped away, and joy will replace sorrow.
2. Sometimes God Allows Suffering for Spiritual Growth and Character Development:
In understanding the role of suffering in the Kingdom of God, let's think of it as God's gymnasium, where He trains us for spiritual strength and character development. James 1:2-4 lays this out clearly – it tells us to view our trials as occasions for joy because they develop perseverance in us. And Romans 5:3-5 echoes this, illustrating how suffering produces character and, ultimately, hope.
Now, let's dive deeper into that muscle analogy. Imagine you're in a gym, and you're lifting weights. When you start lifting, those weights challenge your muscles. They're tough, they're heavy, and they push your muscles to their limits. But here's the key: it's in that very resistance, in that very struggle against the weight, that your muscles begin to grow stronger. Without the challenge, without that resistance, there's no growth, no increase in strength.
Similarly, our faith is like a spiritual muscle. It's not built in the easy, comfortable times. It's built in the gym of God's testing and training—through trials and suffering. Each challenge, each trial we face, is like a spiritual weight that God allows us to lift. And as we lift these weights, as we persevere through these trials, our faith muscle grows. It becomes stronger, more resilient.
We don't seek out suffering, but when it comes, it's an opportunity for growth. It's a chance for our faith to flex, to stretch, to become more robust. The resistance we face in our trials is not there to break us, but to build us. Just like a bodybuilder doesn't become strong by lifting feathers, we don't grow spiritually by avoiding challenges. We grow by facing them head-on, with God's strength and guidance.
So, when trials come your way, remember the gym of God. Remember that each challenge is an opportunity to strengthen your faith muscle. It's in the struggle, in the resistance, that our spiritual strength is forged. We emerge not just as survivors of trials but as victors, stronger in faith and character, ready to face whatever comes next with hope and resilience.
3. God Allows Suffering for Correct or Discipline:
Sometimes suffering is God's corrective tool. Hebrews 12:7–11 likens God's discipline to that of a father who loves his child. And Proverbs 3:11–12 reminds us not to despise the Lord's discipline. It's not about God being harsh; it's about Him being a loving Father, guiding and correcting us for our betterment. Like a skilled craftsman, He sometimes uses the chisel of suffering to chip away what shouldn't be there.
Now, picture a master sculptor with a block of marble before him. This block, in its raw state, is rough, unshaped, and doesn't yet reveal the masterpiece hidden within. The sculptor, with a vision in his mind, begins his work. He takes his chisel and hammer, and with precise, calculated strikes, starts to chip away at the marble. Each strike of the chisel, though forceful and sometimes causing pieces of the marble to shatter and fall away, is done with purpose and skill.
In a similar way, God is like that master sculptor, and we are like the marble. Our lives, often rough and unrefined by nature, are in His hands. The trials and sufferings we experience can be likened to the chisel strikes from the sculptor. They may seem harsh, they may cause us discomfort, and sometimes even pain, but each one is purposeful. With every challenge, every hardship we face, God is chipping away what doesn't belong in our character. He's shaping us, refining us, removing the sins and habits that mar the beauty of His image in us.
This process is not random; it's intentional and skillful. Just as a sculptor knows exactly where to chisel to reveal the statue within the marble, God knows precisely what needs to go in our lives for His masterpiece to emerge. He chips away pride, doubt, fear, selfishness - all the things that keep us from fully reflecting His glory.
So, when you're in the midst of trials, think of the master sculptor. Remember that you are being shaped, molded, and refined into the image He has envisioned for you. The chisel of suffering, in the hands of our loving God, is not a tool of punishment, but one of transformation. It's through this process that our true beauty, the beauty of Christ-like character, is revealed.
4. God Allows Suffering to Strengthen our Faith and Develop Grit
Suffering often brings us back to the basics: trusting and relying on God. 2 Corinthians 12:9–10 is a beautiful illustration of how God's strength is made perfect in our weakness. It's in the hard times that we learn what it truly means to lean on God. Psalm 119:71 echoes this, stating that affliction was good because it taught the psalmist God's statutes. Like a child learning to walk, we learn to walk in faith during times of suffering.
Let's think about suffering as a means to strengthen our faith and reliance on God, using the illustration of a child learning to walk. In 2 Corinthians 12:9–10, Paul talks about God's strength being made perfect in weakness, and Psalm 119:71 reflects on how affliction can be beneficial in teaching us God's ways. These Scriptures provide a vivid picture of how trials in our lives can deepen our faith, much like a child's first steps.
Imagine a young child, just beginning to learn how to walk. At first, the child is unsteady, wobbly, taking tentative steps while holding onto something for support. There’s a lot of falling down, a lot of stumbles. But each fall, each stumble, is a part of the learning process. The child's muscles are getting stronger, their sense of balance is improving, and their confidence is growing. The parents are always there, offering hands of support, ready to catch the child if they fall too hard.
In the same way, in our walk of faith, suffering and trials are like those first unsteady steps. We might feel shaky, unsure, or even scared at times. But just like the child learning to walk, we're developing spiritual muscles we didn’t even know we had. We're learning balance in our life, understanding how to stand firm in our faith. And just as importantly, we're learning to rely on our Heavenly Father. He’s there with us, guiding us, supporting us, and ready to catch us when we fall.
In this process, we learn that our strength doesn’t come from how well we can walk alone; it comes from our reliance on God. When we are weak, when we stumble and fall, that’s when God’s strength is most evident in our lives. We learn to trust Him more, to lean on His understanding, and to depend on His guidance.
In conclusion, suffering is not something we should seek, but when it comes, it's not without purpose. It reminds us of the fallen state of our world, it's a tool for our spiritual growth, a method of God's loving correction, and a means to deepen our trust in Him. Let's approach our trials with a mindset that seeks to find God's purpose in them, trusting that He is working in and through them for our good and His glory.