New subscriber here.. glad to have found your posts Mike. Love being able to share on the deeper spiritual level the lessons of life. So here's some thoughts on this. Suffering was not intended by God for His creatures/creation. He made everything beautiful, perfect and good in its beginning. Sin entered and all creation was subjected to suffering/death as a result, believing the lie that "ye shall not surely die". Oh really?? Well the promise of a deliverer was from the beginning of the world also, as surety for the "what if" of a bad choice by the sons of God, succumbing to temptation. Heb_11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Moses represents Jesus, our Deliverer from sin's slavery and He accepted the affliction knowing "the joy that was set before Him" (Heb 12:2), Jesus has become our Salvation and our Joy (Ex 15:2; Ps 118:14; Is 12:2). Because He is our Beloved and we are His. His joy becomes our joy. Knowing He will be with us through thick and thin, His covenant with us is stronger/deeper than any earthly marriage vow. John 15:11 "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full". As Jesus was the visible personage in Nebuchachadnezzer's firey furnace walking with the 3 Hebrew men, so He promises to be with us "for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Heb 13:5. So there is Joy (i.e. Jesus our God) with us in the journeys of life. Our God brings His joy into our circumstances because of His very presence. When we praise Him and call on Him to be with us and bless us....He will! Isa_63:7 I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses. Psa_149:6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand; Psa_22:3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. So, our God will inhabit the soul and dwell within those who praise Him with thankfulness for who He is, and His joy will be in their hearts.
Like I always told my children…how would you know what darkness is without the light? Or what pain is without pleasure? It’s the same, you cannot know joy without suffering
Thank you for planting these seeds to ponder. You have my sincere admiration for standing up for your bodily autonomy. I am glad you are finding joy. Do you feel we find joy despite our suffering or joy within the suffering itself?
Thank you, Lisa. I appreciate that. I think we find joy through our suffering. Again, please don't mistake that for enjoying our suffering because that is not what I'm saying. And we may very well not see it while we are going through it but I really believe that the Lord works all things for good and I've shared my situation as proof.
I am also in the throes of this "suffering". I chose it - just like you chose it because there really was no other way. And in the suffering, which challenges me every day, I know there is an end to it and at that end I will understand why it was necessary. Thanks for sharing this... we are alone but we also are very connected to one another. When more of us stop the vapid pursuit of finding happiness and comfort we will finally find ourselves and what we are made of and that there was never any reason to be afraid.
Oh Mike, if I had more time, this would get a more fulsome comment. But you captured some of the complexity behind our shared situation. By the way, I am not a good "homemaker" either, but I believe I am a pretty good mom, even if I am not good at the "around the house" stuff. God gave me different strengths from which my family has benefited, despite my shortcomings, and I have no doubt that is true for you also. God bless you for finding joy in the heartbreak.
Thank you, Noelle. Really appreciate that. I'm sure you are a great mom. I only hope that my family has benefited as much as I have from the time with them. God bless you too.
Mike, thank you for this beautiful message. Life is about the journey. We cannot grow and evolve without experiencing the many trials, tribulations, and losses that come with that growth. Overcoming these obstacles and breaking the bonds of fear that hold us back brings infinite joy and wisdom. It renews our hope and fills us with love, gratitude and acceptance for what is.
Suffering makes us feel alive! Suffering reveals our true strength courage and resilience and connects us with all life.
When I look back at those experiences in my life that were the most terrifying and emotionally painful it reminds me of the person I am and it fills me with joy and awe of the divine grace within me. In those moments, I know who I am and all of the self doubt and regret falls away. Only the love for myself and life remains.
My oh my, Do I have stories around this one? To be a part of the family of God is the only way to survive suffering. For when the suffering is there, or has passed, and He reveals to you why you or others suffer, it's impossible not to understand and be joyful! After many years of suffering, I could see the path laid bare behind me, and ahead of me, of why God brought me through the things he did, and what purpose he had for me. It was quite stunning to understand all of that. It was difficult to take in, knowing God was preparing me for something huge, every step of the way, to enable me to help ease the sufferings of others who are vulnerable. The joy I felt in that moment is only described perfectly in the Bible: Joy unspeakable and full of glory. And gave me a peace that passes all understandong. It filled me instantly and I felt like it was an overflowing fountain that would not stop. I have never felt such pure, unadulterated joy and wonder and love and it was perfectly clear it was from God. No human could manufacture that feeling of joy. If everyone in the world could feel that joy, there would be no more suffering, no more war, no more arguments, no more pain. God is real and he is with you always. He will never leave you. If you can see that you are meant to suffer for a reason you will see in due time, then you... Will...Never...truly...suffer. Thank you for this.
Yes, there can be joy in suffering and much more. As believers, we know there is a productive purpose, even in suffering (Rom 8:28). Suffering allows us to conform our will to His and we are the better for it.
New subscriber here.. glad to have found your posts Mike. Love being able to share on the deeper spiritual level the lessons of life. So here's some thoughts on this. Suffering was not intended by God for His creatures/creation. He made everything beautiful, perfect and good in its beginning. Sin entered and all creation was subjected to suffering/death as a result, believing the lie that "ye shall not surely die". Oh really?? Well the promise of a deliverer was from the beginning of the world also, as surety for the "what if" of a bad choice by the sons of God, succumbing to temptation. Heb_11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Moses represents Jesus, our Deliverer from sin's slavery and He accepted the affliction knowing "the joy that was set before Him" (Heb 12:2), Jesus has become our Salvation and our Joy (Ex 15:2; Ps 118:14; Is 12:2). Because He is our Beloved and we are His. His joy becomes our joy. Knowing He will be with us through thick and thin, His covenant with us is stronger/deeper than any earthly marriage vow. John 15:11 "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full". As Jesus was the visible personage in Nebuchachadnezzer's firey furnace walking with the 3 Hebrew men, so He promises to be with us "for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Heb 13:5. So there is Joy (i.e. Jesus our God) with us in the journeys of life. Our God brings His joy into our circumstances because of His very presence. When we praise Him and call on Him to be with us and bless us....He will! Isa_63:7 I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses. Psa_149:6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand; Psa_22:3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. So, our God will inhabit the soul and dwell within those who praise Him with thankfulness for who He is, and His joy will be in their hearts.
He will be one of the first to fire on citizens for not turning over our guns or for speaking out against the establishment.
Absolutely awesome message Brother! Truth and Reality & my personal favorite among many is in James! All Praise & Glory to GOD! 🙏🏼🕊🙌🏼🔥
James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
James 1:3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
James 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Thank you 🙏🏼
Amen. What a Christ!
Indeed! 🔥🙌🏼🔥
Like I always told my children…how would you know what darkness is without the light? Or what pain is without pleasure? It’s the same, you cannot know joy without suffering
Amen 🙏🏼
So true!
Thank you for planting these seeds to ponder. You have my sincere admiration for standing up for your bodily autonomy. I am glad you are finding joy. Do you feel we find joy despite our suffering or joy within the suffering itself?
Thank you, Lisa. I appreciate that. I think we find joy through our suffering. Again, please don't mistake that for enjoying our suffering because that is not what I'm saying. And we may very well not see it while we are going through it but I really believe that the Lord works all things for good and I've shared my situation as proof.
I am also in the throes of this "suffering". I chose it - just like you chose it because there really was no other way. And in the suffering, which challenges me every day, I know there is an end to it and at that end I will understand why it was necessary. Thanks for sharing this... we are alone but we also are very connected to one another. When more of us stop the vapid pursuit of finding happiness and comfort we will finally find ourselves and what we are made of and that there was never any reason to be afraid.
Oh Mike, if I had more time, this would get a more fulsome comment. But you captured some of the complexity behind our shared situation. By the way, I am not a good "homemaker" either, but I believe I am a pretty good mom, even if I am not good at the "around the house" stuff. God gave me different strengths from which my family has benefited, despite my shortcomings, and I have no doubt that is true for you also. God bless you for finding joy in the heartbreak.
Thank you, Noelle. Really appreciate that. I'm sure you are a great mom. I only hope that my family has benefited as much as I have from the time with them. God bless you too.
Mike, thank you for this beautiful message. Life is about the journey. We cannot grow and evolve without experiencing the many trials, tribulations, and losses that come with that growth. Overcoming these obstacles and breaking the bonds of fear that hold us back brings infinite joy and wisdom. It renews our hope and fills us with love, gratitude and acceptance for what is.
Suffering makes us feel alive! Suffering reveals our true strength courage and resilience and connects us with all life.
When I look back at those experiences in my life that were the most terrifying and emotionally painful it reminds me of the person I am and it fills me with joy and awe of the divine grace within me. In those moments, I know who I am and all of the self doubt and regret falls away. Only the love for myself and life remains.
Thank you, Tina. Yes I couldn't agree more.
My oh my, Do I have stories around this one? To be a part of the family of God is the only way to survive suffering. For when the suffering is there, or has passed, and He reveals to you why you or others suffer, it's impossible not to understand and be joyful! After many years of suffering, I could see the path laid bare behind me, and ahead of me, of why God brought me through the things he did, and what purpose he had for me. It was quite stunning to understand all of that. It was difficult to take in, knowing God was preparing me for something huge, every step of the way, to enable me to help ease the sufferings of others who are vulnerable. The joy I felt in that moment is only described perfectly in the Bible: Joy unspeakable and full of glory. And gave me a peace that passes all understandong. It filled me instantly and I felt like it was an overflowing fountain that would not stop. I have never felt such pure, unadulterated joy and wonder and love and it was perfectly clear it was from God. No human could manufacture that feeling of joy. If everyone in the world could feel that joy, there would be no more suffering, no more war, no more arguments, no more pain. God is real and he is with you always. He will never leave you. If you can see that you are meant to suffer for a reason you will see in due time, then you... Will...Never...truly...suffer. Thank you for this.
Wow. Thank you for sharing that. I never cease to be amazed by what the Lord is doing.
Yes, there can be joy in suffering and much more. As believers, we know there is a productive purpose, even in suffering (Rom 8:28). Suffering allows us to conform our will to His and we are the better for it.
So true! It is a privilege to join in His suffering. Love Romans 8:28.