God has really been dealing with me personally about suffering for the last several weeks and months.

I believe that most Christians have no idea the purpose that suffering serves in our lives. I believe the church is mostly to blame for this ignorance. Most pastors teach a very narrow view of suffering, usually these views are not biblical.

one view that has been taught is that suffering is simply an attack from the enemy and the “good” Christian will recognize the attack and stand against it or “rebuke” it when it comes.

the other popular view that is taught is that Christians should not suffer…therefore, if you ARE suffering, it is most likely because of sin in your life or a lack of faith.

To a small degree, I can see where these teachings come from. The bible does teach that Satan will attack God’s children and that we should resist him. The bible also teaches that our sin brings with it consequence.

however, the greater weight of teaching in the bible about suffering, is that God is directly involved and will actually allow and bring suffering into our lives to teach us and mold us into His children.

the bible says that Jesus learned obedience THROUGH suffering! Wow! that is heavy! So this means God actually wants us to suffer!

the question we need to ask ourselves when (not if) we suffer is not “Why this?” but instead we should ask “What now?” What is God doing in me now? what is He teaching me now? Where is He taking me now?

Instead of stiff-arming suffering and trying to keep it out of our lives…we should embrace the suffering and learn from it!

peace.

As I am preaching thru the book of Luke at theedge, God is dealing with me every week! This week we read the parable of the fig tree. The tree had not produced fruit in 3 years. The vineyard owner is upset and tells the gardner to “cut it down, why should i use up the soil?” The gardner asks for just one more year and one more chance to get it producing. If it doesn’t produce by the end of the year, then he will cut it down.

I believe the vineyard owner and the gardner BOTH represent God. God is the judge, who can say “Cut it down!” and He is also the merciful gardner who says, “Give them one more chance!”

I know God has given me tons of chances! He is a forgiving, loving, merciful God. But i don’t want to take advantage of His love and forgiveness. I don’t want Him to look at me and see that i am taking up good soil!

I ask myself everyday, “Lord, am i doing YOUR will? Am i producing Kingdom fruit in the vineyard you have planted me in!?” We all need to ask ourselves these tough questions. So what about you? Are you producing what God wants you to produce? or are you wasting good soil?