During recent worship services, the subject of suffering has occurred several times. From what I have observed, all of us suffer from time to time. Due to some well meaning friends and the "health and wealth" gospel that some preach, I think there is a danger for the Christian to think that we should not suffer, that if we suffer, it is because we lack faith, do not know how to pray correctly, or there is some unconfessed sin in our lives. Now those things may be the case. We might suffer because of some sin we have committed. David certainly had to suffer as a result of his sin with Bathsheba, but I also know that the Bible teaches us that we live in a fallen world and that since sin entered the world, we will all experience the results of our fallen nature. Some sin, though is not a direct result of some sin in our lives. Did you know that we might experience the flight of a longtime "true" friend, false conviction, even sentences that are not based on fact? If you expect not to suffer for such things just look at Jesus who had to suffer, as He, Himself, taught, "...the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again." Mark 8:31b
Many wonder about human suffering, why we have to experience it, what is the best way to get through it, etc. I had been reading Bonhoeffer's book Discipleship. In his chapter on the Sermon on the Mount, in which he discusses the subject of suffering (common to all believers), he states, "The community of disciples does not shake off suffering, as if they had nothing to do with it. Instead, they bear it. In doing so, they give witness to their connection with the people around them. At the same time, this indicates that they do not arbitrarily seek suffering, that they do not withdraw into willful contempt for the world. Instead they bear what is laid upon them, and what happens to them in discipleship for the sake of Jesus Christ. Finally, disciples will not be weakened by suffering, worn down, and embittered, until they are broken. Instead, they bear suffering by the power of him who supports them. The disciples bear the suffering laid on them only by the power of him who bears all suffering on the cross.
Susan said that Mary Evelynn was looking at some old pictures of her "Grammy" who was holding and playing with one of the older grandchildren before her injury. Mary Evelynn said Oh, look at that Mommy. Susan said, does that make you sad, Mary Evelynn? "No, not at all. I am just so happy that Grammy was able to do that at all. Wasn't that wonderful? And in heaven, she will be able to do that again." Oh, the simplicity and faith, and even wisdom of the little ones!!
Soon after Lynn's injury we had a nurse tell us that we would soon be able to have a "quality of life again." I can assure you that Lynn and I feel that we do have a quality of life. We have some great times. The Lord has certainly blessed us beyond what we could have imagined. How is this possible? It is by grace from our Heavenly Father. Sing the hymn with us:
Great is Thy Faithfulness
"Great is Thy faithfulness," O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
Look at the pictures below with Lynn watching a movie on her iPad with Isabella on her lap, and again some nice snuggling time with Mary Evelynn. Yes, the Lord has been good to us.
Thank you, Father, that in the midst of our suffering, you are with us. You never leave us or forsake us. Thank you that you have blessed us in so many ways. We thank you especially for your love for us, for your grace, mercy, and compassion. Thank you for a supporting family, friends and church family. Bless us, Father with a faithful walk with you each of our days. Keep us from stumbling we pray, in Jesus' name, Amen.
Love,
Doug and Lynn and family
Many wonder about human suffering, why we have to experience it, what is the best way to get through it, etc. I had been reading Bonhoeffer's book Discipleship. In his chapter on the Sermon on the Mount, in which he discusses the subject of suffering (common to all believers), he states, "The community of disciples does not shake off suffering, as if they had nothing to do with it. Instead, they bear it. In doing so, they give witness to their connection with the people around them. At the same time, this indicates that they do not arbitrarily seek suffering, that they do not withdraw into willful contempt for the world. Instead they bear what is laid upon them, and what happens to them in discipleship for the sake of Jesus Christ. Finally, disciples will not be weakened by suffering, worn down, and embittered, until they are broken. Instead, they bear suffering by the power of him who supports them. The disciples bear the suffering laid on them only by the power of him who bears all suffering on the cross.
Susan said that Mary Evelynn was looking at some old pictures of her "Grammy" who was holding and playing with one of the older grandchildren before her injury. Mary Evelynn said Oh, look at that Mommy. Susan said, does that make you sad, Mary Evelynn? "No, not at all. I am just so happy that Grammy was able to do that at all. Wasn't that wonderful? And in heaven, she will be able to do that again." Oh, the simplicity and faith, and even wisdom of the little ones!!
Soon after Lynn's injury we had a nurse tell us that we would soon be able to have a "quality of life again." I can assure you that Lynn and I feel that we do have a quality of life. We have some great times. The Lord has certainly blessed us beyond what we could have imagined. How is this possible? It is by grace from our Heavenly Father. Sing the hymn with us:
Great is Thy Faithfulness
"Great is Thy faithfulness," O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
Look at the pictures below with Lynn watching a movie on her iPad with Isabella on her lap, and again some nice snuggling time with Mary Evelynn. Yes, the Lord has been good to us.
Thank you, Father, that in the midst of our suffering, you are with us. You never leave us or forsake us. Thank you that you have blessed us in so many ways. We thank you especially for your love for us, for your grace, mercy, and compassion. Thank you for a supporting family, friends and church family. Bless us, Father with a faithful walk with you each of our days. Keep us from stumbling we pray, in Jesus' name, Amen.
Love,
Doug and Lynn and family
RSS Feed