By ETHEL SKIPPER
Suffering is a part of life.
Many people come to Christ because of suffering or afflictions of one kind or another. People believe that once they turn their life over to the Lord all their suffering will be over.
We have comforts. The Lord said, I’ll never forsake you or leave you. In the beginning of Adam’s sin, that sickness, suffering, even death came upon the human race. God’s people have always suffered.
In fact, suffering because of righteousness is evidence of the genuiness of your devotion to Christ. For this reason, problems in your life may be a sign that you are pleasing God and are faithful to Him.
When one can suffer and remain faithful to Christ, you will be considered blessed.
Let’s look at the great men who suffered: Joseph suffered at the hand of his brothers. He was sold into slavery.
David suffered at the hand of King Saul. Although David suffered because of his own doing, he asked for forgiveness and God granted it to him. David was a man after God’s own heart.
Job, who was blameless and upright, feared God and shunned evil. The test of Job’s faith was the reason he allowed Satan to afflict him.
Don’t be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering as though some strange thing happened unto you. But rejoice that you participate in the suffering of Christ so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or a thief or any other kind of evildoing. However, if you suffer as a Christian, praise God.
Romans 5:3, “We also rejoice in our suffering.” Paul lists suffering as one of the blessing of our salvation in Christ.
When we think of the word, suffering refers to all kinds of trials that may come in our lives. Such things as the pressures of financial or physical needs, sorrow, sickness, persecution, mistreatment or loneliness. I know that sometimes we may feel all alone and that’s where faith comes in – whatever we are going through , we must do whatever we can to help ourselves do the possible and look for God to do the impossible.
Skipper Temple Church will observe its Black History program on Sunday, Feb. 18 at 11 a.m. Speakers will be Deacon Willie F. Skipper Jr. and Deacon Larry Bell. We welcome you to come and fellowship with us.
Our prayer and concern goes out to all the sick and and shut-in, those in the hospital, nursing home, prison, the homeless, and all in need of prayer. Let us pray for world leaders everywhere..
