“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” (1 Peter 5:10 ESV)
In order to get a college degree, there are certain courses one must take. Wouldn’t it be nice to bypass the difficult courses and just take the interesting ones? I have always wondered if suffering is a mandatory prerequisite to a life of faith. Although I pray constantly for the gift of faith--for myself and my loved ones--I do not want anyone to suffer.
“Suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope...” (Romans 5:3-4 ESV)
Suffering can lead to perseverance, patience, trust, and faith--but not for everyone. Some students go through a difficult class, study just enough to pass the test--and then promptly forget the material as soon as the course is over. Good students retain the lessons--otherwise, much of the energy they expended during the class would be wasted. Similarly, some of us go through suffering, but fail to grow and learn from it--and the lessons from pain are wasted. We dismiss what we learned as irrelevant for the future and are eager to forget the unpleasantness.
Yet, the lessons we learn during trials can draw us closer to God, if we allow it. And, when we ingest and digest these lessons--the God of all grace will complete His plans--restoring, supporting, strengthening--until we are put together according to His purpose.
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