ROUGH TIMES!
TEXT:
"Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;" (1st Peter 4 verse 1, King James Version)
Most people detest rough times in life. Such people have no understanding that rough times may after all be sharpening times. Do you not know that if anything must be sharp it has to be sharpened on or by a rough object? Psalms 4 verse 1 says '' ... thou hast enlarged me when l was in distress ...'' This is to say that enlargement comes through distress! So you see, those who detest rough times lack understanding!
People like Job, Moses, King David, Jacob, Joseph, Apostle Paul, etc; before their glorious testimonies, all went through rough times in life! For instance, it is written of Joseph that in the dungeon, "His feet they hurt with fetters; he was laid in chains of iron and his soul entered into the iron," (Psalms 105 stanza 18, Amplified Classics). I love the New Living Translation rendering of the same verse. It says that "They bruised his feet with fetters and placed his neck in an iron collar."
Joseph’s dungeon was the road to his throne in Egypt. His dreams were the golden glory ahead of him, but the iron fetters were the experiences he went through in life. Oftentimes, the iron crown of suffering precedes the golden crown of glory. But in practice, the iron fetters and what they imply are highly detestable and are often never to be desired. Yet, God might choose and ordain them as chariots to bring us into His glory. "I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction", God says in Isaiah 48 verse 10. Even under the New Testament dispensation, Apostle Paul informs us "... that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God" (Acts 14 verse 22)
It seems like the best things of life come out of bruising. Wheat is crushed before it becomes bread. Incense must be cast upon the fire before its odors are set free. The alabaster box of ointment had to be broken before it let off its fragrance. The ground must be broken with the sharp plough before it is ready to receive the seed. The Scriptures tell us that it is the broken heart that pleases God (Psalms 34 verse 18, 51 verse 17; Isaiah 57 verse 15, 66 verse 2). Any wonder that the sweetest joys in life are the fruits of sorrow? Human nature seems to need suffering to fit it for being a blessing to the world.
Look at Jesus, He is a Blessing to the world, but He is described as "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief ... stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted." (Isa 53 verses 3 to 4). He went through all of these for the sake of humanity, so "... that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted." (Hebrews 2 verses 17 to 18; see also Hebrews 4 verse 15). It's said of Him further that God "... shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied:" (Isa 53 verse 11). This means that God was pleased and satisfied with His Son's sufferings!
Like Jesus, God has called us to be used by Him to bring salvation to the lost world. If Jesus wasn't spared by God in the matter of suffering so that He'd be fitted for His assignment, why would you think to be excused or excluded from suffering? Jesus told us that it's enough if a servant be like his Master (Luke 6 verse 40).
I have heard some ministers of the Gospel preach that suffering or persecutions or afflictions are inconsistent with the New Testament doctrines. My simple answer to such ministers is that they go back to search the Scriptures properly. The Apostles talked much about Christian suffering and in 1st Peter 2 verse 21, Peter summarized the matter as follows:
"For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:"
Lately, I have listened to some ministers who while preaching about God's faithfulness and goodness have concealed their moments of suffering before "God picked up their call" and blessed them. They attempt to show themselves as supermen of faith and others as not doing enough in the service of God to merit His goodness. This, to me, is not a good way to portray the workings of God. I believe that people should know what you went through in life prelude to your current and present state of opulence and blessing! This is what makes a complete story of one's walk with God. Besides, this serves to portray God as One who is no respecter of persons; that if He did it for one, He would do it for another, under the same circumstances!
I would therefore counsel you not to despise your moment of afflictions and sufferings in life. Learn to cooperate with the Lord whilst you go through them because He most likely allowed them for a beautiful purpose.You'd probably need them as they may form part of the molding process of your Christian experience to qualify you for the glory that is ahead of you. Besides, they also would show God's faithfulness, when in the end He delivers you from them all, as He promised to do.
PRAYER:
Dearest Heavenly Father, I surrender and yield completely to you, asking that you have your way in my life. I believe that soon, I shall join the host of your children to testify of your faithfulness, in Jesus Name.