Suffering

One of Satan’s best ways of deceiving is to misuse God’s words to try and get you to believe that God does not have your best interest in mind.

It started in the Garden of Eden by misrepresenting or questioning God’s word to Adam and Eve. You would have thought that two people who walked with God in the Garden would have been able to see the error in Satan’s words. Satan will never completely lie to you. He just twists the words about one degree so that they sound perfect and full of wisdom.

Today Satan is still getting God’s followers to believe something that God never said.

One of the biggest misunderstandings and misinterpretations of God’s word is that being a follower of Jesus will remove suffering, remove hardships, remove pain, bring a perfect marriage and produce a smooth life.

Satan then tells you that your continued suffering is because you are not worthy. That
God does not love you anymore because of your behavior.

He uses parents, teachers and preachers to further his plan. “If you do that God will not love you anymore” is a favorite sentence of many. You are raised to have a core belief that behavior brings God’s Love or that bad behavior brings about a separation from God.

The Bible never said the righteous will not suffer.  It says they will not be forsaken.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31: 8 NIV

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13: 5 NIV

The original Greek and Hebrew intent are that God will not reject you, let you down, or withdraw His support and commitment. God promises He will not physically depart or walk away from you, no matter what happens.

Somewhere along the way religion told you that if you pray harder and have more faith, the suffering and pain will stop. You need greater Faith and the storm will pass you by. Tithe better and your bills will disappear. Satan wants you to believe that it is your fault that you are experiencing problems and God does not care about you.

We miss read the verses in the Gospel about the Disciples in the storm on the lake. We forget that Jesus initiated the boat trip across the lake saying, “Let’s cross over to the other side”, knowing a fierce squall could arise.

The Storm was not a surprise to Jesus. In fact, Jesus asked the disciples on one occasion why they were not asleep during the storm.

Your problems, worries, are of no surprise to God and he tells you to expect them and then trust in him completely.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light”. Matthew 11: 28-30 NIV

Paul’s thorn in the flesh never left him.  But peace filled him because he understood that God’s grace was all he needed.

“God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure. You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing. Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I’m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life.” Psalms 23 The Message

 When Jesus cried out on the cross (“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” in Matthew 27:46), He experienced complete separation from God so that believers would never have to face that abandonment themselves.

Jesus took your sins, feelings of separation and abandonment upon Himself so that you may live in eternity with His Father.

Accepting a change to your core beliefs only can be accomplished by the transformation of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit wants to live within you, but not in the rooms you provided.  He wants to demolish and completely renovate your mind and heart.

Surrender to Him today and be transformed.

God never said it would be easy. But you must be reborn to enter the kingdom of Heaven.

Remember it is not a religion it is a relationship.

Prayers and Love for all.

Larry