The Gift of Suffering
I have been doing the Journey to the Cross devotional again this year for Lent. Today's reading describes how suffering is a gift.
The Israelites "argued with Moses, idealizing their life in Egypt and questioning the goodness of the Lord. They complained about the Lord’s provision, not because he didn’t provide, but because they weren’t content with what he provided...Ultimately, suffering is about learning to receive whatever God has placed in our hands as his goodness for us today. For Jesus, the journey to Jerusalem was a gift. Gethsemane and Golgotha were gifts. They were not easy gifts to receive, which is why he had to say, 'Not what I will, but what you will' (Mark 14:36). And it is why he taught us to pray, 'Your kingdom come, your will be done' (Matthew 6:10)" (77).
Lord, I confess that I complain and think negatively about my current circumstances. I think I want a different job, and I get discouraged when I feel like this is my only option. I applied for the academic advisor position, but I was not selected. Other options don't seem to exist right now. Perhaps, Lord, this is your way of telling me to stay where I am. To keep looking up and ahead. I can relate to the Israelites who remembered and idealized their time in Egypt, struggling to enjoy the present, because they were stuck in the past. Lord, help me to be content and take delight in each day. Help me to receive each day as a gift from You. Help me to remember that you have not abandoned me. You have not forsaken me. You choose me. You accept me. You love me dearly.
More and more I hear You saying, seek Me above all else. Seek My Kingdom first. Do not worry about your circumstances, but keep your eyes fixed on Me. Worship Me. Make Me your top priority.
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 'Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow...'" (Matthew 6:33-34).
The Israelites "argued with Moses, idealizing their life in Egypt and questioning the goodness of the Lord. They complained about the Lord’s provision, not because he didn’t provide, but because they weren’t content with what he provided...Ultimately, suffering is about learning to receive whatever God has placed in our hands as his goodness for us today. For Jesus, the journey to Jerusalem was a gift. Gethsemane and Golgotha were gifts. They were not easy gifts to receive, which is why he had to say, 'Not what I will, but what you will' (Mark 14:36). And it is why he taught us to pray, 'Your kingdom come, your will be done' (Matthew 6:10)" (77).
Lord, I confess that I complain and think negatively about my current circumstances. I think I want a different job, and I get discouraged when I feel like this is my only option. I applied for the academic advisor position, but I was not selected. Other options don't seem to exist right now. Perhaps, Lord, this is your way of telling me to stay where I am. To keep looking up and ahead. I can relate to the Israelites who remembered and idealized their time in Egypt, struggling to enjoy the present, because they were stuck in the past. Lord, help me to be content and take delight in each day. Help me to receive each day as a gift from You. Help me to remember that you have not abandoned me. You have not forsaken me. You choose me. You accept me. You love me dearly.
More and more I hear You saying, seek Me above all else. Seek My Kingdom first. Do not worry about your circumstances, but keep your eyes fixed on Me. Worship Me. Make Me your top priority.
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 'Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow...'" (Matthew 6:33-34).
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