Suffering.

Over the course of the past month or so, God has taught me many things. I really wanted to take some time to write them down for my sake and for the encouragement of others. I hope that it serves that purpose well.
The LORD began my journey with this scripture, "No eye has seen, nor ear heard, no mind can conceive what God has prepared for those who love Him" (1 Corinthians 2:9). Now, when I initially read this verse, I assumed it meant that God would give me all sorts of beautiful gifts during my time at college. He has. Superabundantly. That He would unfold the plan He has for my life and make me successful in all that I do, just because He loves me. And He does. But He had a lesson far deeper than worldly success on His mind. Even during the past month, God showed me that 1 Corinthians 2:9, no matter how wonderful it sounds, does not exclude heart-ache and pain. Though I would like to reach my aspirations with as little suffering as possible, sometimes it's my struggles that birth the fruit that God talks about when He says in John, "...he who abides in Me will bear much fruit."
If I were to be entirely honest, most of my life has been a spiritual trial. Anything from severe anxiety, fear of the supernatural and of Man, doubt of my identity and of God, insecurity, and even those little nameless struggles that have a sneaky way of grabbing my hope in Christ and try to pull me under. Life is full of pain. Even for people like me who have had little outward trial in their life (like death of loved ones, divorce in family, disease, etc.). So why do these things happen? Or as many people ask, non-believers and believers alike, "Why is there suffering if there is a good God?"
I can say with full assurance that there is suffering because it draws us closer to the heart of God. In the heart of God, there is safety and peace, joy and gladness, security and hope. It forces me to stop, recognize my weakness and my need for Him, and then, hopefully, I'll run to Him for help. I've found that through my times of pain, and when I ran to Him for help, the joy in my life increased seven-fold as He showed me more about myself and more about His heart for me. Wow, it's beautiful. I never understood before now, how Christians could rejoice in suffering. But for one who's given their life to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, suffering is one of the greatest and most effective tools of making us more like Him. If we learn well, sisters, there's no knowing where His plans will take us in life. No mind can conceive.
So now I can honestly say, "THANK YOU, GOD for the chance to suffer in life. Thank you for counting me worthy to bear some of Jesus' pain, to become more like Him. I know that one day, that work which you began in me will be completed. Help me, Father, Para, not to back down when I'm faced with tribulation, but to remember that it is only one step forward in the direction of Glory. I love you."

Steph

"Remember, Elena, there is a time for everything under heaven. Suffering shows us how weak and vulnerable we really are, and how much we need a Savior."