Suffering Has Benefits, Apostle Kim A. Davis
This edition, we take a closer look at confronting tough situations. Most of us avoid facing tough situations and would rather maintain peace at all cost. The bible even tells us that as much as it depends upon us, to be at peace with all men. But as we know, it doesn’t always depend on us! There are times we absolutely MUST face confrontation, whether we initiate it or are required to respond to it.
The most challenging part of facing tough situations is that at some point we will suffer consequences we do not want to suffer. Disappointment, disconnection, distraction, discomfort, discouragement, you name it. When we risk suffering, we would rather sweep things under the rug and make every attempt to avoid it. The reality is that life doesn’t always provide you with that option. We must suffer through some things. The good news however, is that suffering has benefits!
In 1 Peter 5:10, the bible confirms the benefits that suffering entitles us to. It reads, “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you”. Although we all suffer some things in our personal lives, God HIMSELF will provide us with the benefits. He will perfect us, completing the work in us that He alone is able to complete. He will establish us, bringing us to a firm and stable place in Him. He will strengthen us, building us to become strong in Him. He will settle us, placing us in the state He desires for us. What an awesome promise and what awesome benefits!
Although our preference is to live without suffering, there are times we must face the tough situations of life that go hand-in-hand with suffering. If we keep things in perspective, it will be much easier to transition through those periods. We may not want to deal with the tough situations we face, but one thing is certain. We can rest assured that our experiences will produce what God intends for them to – we will also reap the benefits.