We will not drown

Suffering. What does this look like in your life?

Often times people tend to think of suffering as a physical ailment.

Yes, suffering often can refer to physical suffering.

But, suffering is not bias. It comes in all different, shapes and sizes.

There are two different ways we can handle suffering. It is the age-old flight or fight cliche. Many times we choose the flight option, we run from it and hide from God. I think this option points to a parable in scripture.

Matthew 7: 24–27 says, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock, But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

God tells us many times in the bible that suffering will come into our lives.

1 Peter 4:12 says, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange was happening to you.”

We have to cling to Him, abide in Him, and build our house upon the rock (Jesus Christ) through the reading of the word, prayer, sitting under wise teaching, and living closely with other believers.

If we do not have a strong foundation to fall back on when life gets hard, then our lives will fall apart. If an earthquake comes through and the foundation of your house is not strong the earthquake will destroy it.

But, if your foundation is strong in Christ no earthquake of suffering can break you.

It is going to be hard.

It is going to be painful physically, mentally and emotionally.

It is going to test your faith.

It is going to put a strain on your relationships.

It is going to require a STRONG foundation to withstand the storm.

Psalm 62: 1–2 says, “Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress; I will never be shaken.”

Many people only cling to the Lord when suffering befalls them. This leaves you unprepared for the fight of suffering. Therefore, it is imperative that we run to Christ. If we do this, we will never be shaken.

1 Peter 13 says, “But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, which you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.”

Let us run to God and fight instead of fleeing. So, when an earthquake of suffering comes into our lives, we will not fall in the sinking sand but stand upon the rock.