"Sign me up for suffering!" No one says that, right? It is not the desire of our hearts.
We might sign up for discomfort... as many have gym memberships and actually use them... but suffering is different. Suffering is all-consuming.
We can look to the book of "Job" for some powerful lessons on suffering, yet Job comes out the other side of the suffering with a richer, deeper, and more powerful relationship with God that grew in his suffering. "Hebrews" was written to Jewish believers. The authorship is a bit of a mystery, but the intention is not. It clearly supports Jesus as the Messiah. It is full of wisdom and clarity.
"Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. 9 In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him." -Hebrews 5:8-9
No, suffering is never pleasant, but it often comes with new learning and new revelations. If Jesus can learn obedience in suffering, how much more can we learn?
Perspective changes everything. Suffering can be a boot camp for believers. At times, it is necessary for our training.
Today, I am grateful for lessons learned in suffering.
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