Two passages of Scripture received new ink in my Bible this morning. The Scriptures related to suffering are jumping out at me like never before. Verses I never underlined contain new meaning. This is what I love about the Bible – it has multiple layers. It contains meaning for each person for each situation, for each moment. Perhaps I have not suffered enough before now, but these stood out to me this morning. Perhaps this will speak to you as well.
The first is found in II Corinthians 4:15-17.
Of all the people in the Bible, Paul understood suffering. He endured a lot. He didn’t have pre-medication to help with the side effects of his beatings like we have for our chemo. In reality, my suffering is insignificant compared to his. My platelets may be dropping, but I am not left for dead! Yet he still praised God. The first verse talks about the reason for our suffering “all this (Paul’s suffering) is for your (the Corinthians’) benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.”
I paused and thought about how many people will benefit from my suffering. I was reminded and amazed at the phone calls, emails, and messages I have gotten from people around the world who are learning and growing stronger because of my blog. My suffering is for your benefit! More importantly, God’s grace will reach more people and cause thanksgiving to overflow!
Verses 16-17 stood tall on the page. “Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” Light and momentary troubles. If Paul perceived his suffering as light and momentary, surely we can do the same. The focus is not on our present circumstance, but on our eternal glory.
For the righteous, Isaiah 35:10 promises, “Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.”
To God be the glory.