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Daily Treasure
Daily Treasure is a 365-day devotional written by published author Sharon Betters and the occasional guest author. Every entry in this 365-day devotional embodies the power of God’s Word to encourage, equip, and energize the reader to walk by faith in the pathway God has marked out for them, regardless of its challenges. Devotions includes a treasure from God’s Word, life-giving applications, guided prayers, and a challenge to reflect God’s love in a way that helps turn hearts toward Jesus.
Daily Treasure
The Lord Helps Us Understand Suffering - What She Said Part 14 - Week 1 Day 5
TODAY'S TREASURE
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
1 Peter 4:12-13
The Lord Helps Us Understand Suffering
Marissa Bondurant, Guest Writer
Today’s Treasure
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
1 Peter 4:12-13
If you are a child of God, (meaning you’ve wholly thrown yourself at the mercy of God’s saving grace through Jesus Christ), then you are not to be surprised when suffering comes to you. It is not a strange thing. It is not an accident. And it is not a punishment for wrongdoing. If you belong to Christ, then suffering is never a punishment. It is always to accomplish God’s end goal for your life – namely to make you like Jesus.
In Hebrews 2:10, we are told that suffering is what led to Jesus being crowned with glory and honor. Suffering is also what perfected him:
"For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering." Hebrews 2:10
This is not related to Jesus’ moral perfection – which He always was/is, but rather the perfecting or fulfilling of the Father’s purpose for Christ’s time on earth. Suffering was the means God used to ensure that you could be reconciled to Him and brought back into a loving relationship with Him.
So, too, God uses suffering in your life to accomplish His purposes. God does not rejoice in your suffering in a masochistic way (He hates the pain, sorrow, and death and one day promises to redeem it all). But God does rejoice in the person you are becoming, your deepening dependency on Jesus, your increased focus on the Lord, and your perseverance toward the hope of glory. Those are beautiful in God’s sight.
As you walk through the valley of the shadow of death with your loved one, do not be surprised by how difficult this season is. Jesus has gone before you and is holding you still. There is a beautiful work being done in you as you keep your eyes on Christ, and are slowly transformed into His likeness. Do not be surprised by the gift of suffering (1 Peter 4:14), instead know that you are being pushed deeper into the arms of a loving God who has been caring for you all along.
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
What has surprised you most about caregiving? List some of the ways that caregiving has changed you. Now, spend some time thanking God for working all things out for your good and His Glory.
PRAYER
Father God, I rejoice in Your good work in my life. You have taken even my sufferings and heartaches and used them to transform me more into the image of Your son, Jesus. I am no longer surprised by the difficulties that come, but I can’t help but be continually amazed at how You use these things for my good and Your Glory. Please don’t stop sanctifying me until I see You face to face! In Jesus Name. Amen.
