My Women’s Bible Study Group is studying 2
Corinthians, and there have been some writings by Paul that have hit very close
to home for me. 2 Corinthians 1:3,4 says:
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so
that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive
from God.
In our study book, author Paul Steven
summed up this verse by saying: “We
should not be seeking a supernatural escape from the difficulties of life, but
a supernatural use for our suffering. Troubles
become triumphs as God makes himself know in our weakness.
In our study last week, Paul continues to
encourage believers who are suffering by reminding them of the promises of God during
trying times. In 2 Corinthians 4:16,17
it says:
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are
wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are
achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is
unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Maybe, like me, you read all of these beautiful writings and have deep gratitude
that God uses our tears and pain. Your
heart, like mine, knows that there is more than our comfort on this earth. And your mind accepts the promises of God. However, you have been in a situation of
suffering for quite a while and you wonder if the people you are in contact
with are really getting the message of God through you, or is the suffering you
experience in vain. We know that our
enemy puts a veil over unbelievers. Can
we really cut through that veil?
I was at this point last week when I arrived at GWBS. I have been dealing with physical pain for a
long time. I am currently in radiation
for a tumor on my arm that has caused intense bone pain. But I also have constant achiness all over my
bones (from chemo) that gets worse when the weather gets cold. It was cold last week.
In doing my study book, I thought of all the people in my life that need
salvation and have been on my prayer list for many years. I thought about my current suffering and
wondered if my testimony had really mattered to any of them to the point of
coming to know Christ. I know this
thinking sounds crazy since I am pretty bold in writing about my faith through
my Blog. I get told all the time,
“Sandy, you are so strong.” I always
give the glory to my relationship with God, but that is where it seems to
end. It will be six years in April, and
I started to question what kind of dent can I put in this godless world around
me?
Thankfully, when I have a bad Tuesday, I get to go get filled up on Wednesday. First, I love our Leader's Group and their encouragement and understanding. It is a place where we can all be honest. Then, Jeanette Kinsman did a devotion (Isaiah 40:31) that really touched me and reminded me that there are often times when we are waiting for answers, and that Jesus is worth the wait. In those waiting times, the Lord will renew our strength so we can run and not grow weary.
In our lecture, Betsy drove home the message in such a fresh and beautiful way, and it reminded me that I will never be crushed or destroyed, and that all suffering is temporary and that our biggest goal is to just glorify God to others. Finally, in my small group we did more sharing and talking and I left the campus thinking that I have the best job in the world! I get to be a missionary for the King of Kings who can do anything, and is in complete control. I am part of His plan!!!
A friend picked me up at my house to take me to radiation. I can drive myself to City of Hope, but I have learned that when friends offer these are moments that God can use. I did a short prayer while waiting that God would direct our conversation to Him.
We are on our way, and I am sharing my pain frustrations with my friend, who has known chronic pain. She then reaches over and grabs my hand as says, "Sandy, you never preached at me, and yet I have watched you live your faith. Another friend has also been an inspiration, and between the two of you, I have come to know the Lord, and our family is looking for a church."
I started crying with joy! It was the kind of joy that is not of this earth, but from God. Not only has my friend come to know the Lord, but her husband and children are also seeking to know Jesus! I have prayed every day for this family to know Jesus for the past six years! God’s timing of her telling me that day was just what I needed in my weariness to keep running this race.
Yes! We are a love letter from Jesus to others. And knowing this precious family is entering a relationship with Jesus makes every second of suffering worth it! It has also rejuvenated my soul to know that nothing is wasted by God.
It made me think of Paul and how God must have blessed him with great moments like mine. I can only imagine the frustrations and discouragement Paul felt. Maybe he had special friends that he prayed for every day, for years, with no results. I can picture Paul in jail suffering, and maybe wondering if people will ever get it. I wonder if on his lowest day a message arrived to tell him that a loved one had come to accept Jesus as their savior. Did Paul’s hear soar like an eagle and prompt him to write encouraging words to be read by us over 2,000 years later?
I hope you
feel rejuvenated today and will consider continuing with the race even though
your suffering has not been taken away.
My pain is still with me, but nothing reduces pain better than to see
God tear down a veil and reveal His glory to a beloved friend.
Be
persistent with your prayers, it is worth the wait!
