Has anyone ever told you your suffering is punishment for sin, or that if you just had more faith, God would perform a miracle that would rescue you? I've been told both things, and in both cases it was very hurtful. I'd also say, in both cases the people who said these things to me didn't really know me. They didn't realize how hard I'd prayed or how strong my faith was. They didn't realize how hard I already was on myself, wondering if I had some unrepentant sin that had led to my sick baby who refused to eat any food by mouth.
I've been a Spirit-filled Christian for 43 years, and I have a deep understanding of God's power at work in the life of believers. I've experienced incredible miracles. I believe with all my heart that God heals today. I've also prayed with just as much faith and expectation, only to not be spared the trials of this life. How do you suffer faithfully when you're so disappointed that the miracle hasn't come yet? How do you understand suffering when well-meaning Christians suggest it's your own fault?
If faith only has to be the size of a mustard seed to be effective, then prayers God answers with "no" aren't due to lack of faith. (See Matthew 17:20.) I use my authority in the Spirit to bind Satan and all his demonic forces. If there's a principality or power at work, it cannot stay when I command it to leave. (See Ephesians 6:12.) So, when we have faith in God's power to heal and our authority in the Spirit - and we face storms anyway - what do we make of it?
First of all, we need to recognize that all the miracles of God aren't immediate. Sometimes, it's after you've suffered a little while (1 Peter 5:10), that the miracle comes. In those cases, God allows suffering to perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. Sometimes, the answer we so desperately want doesn't come at all. Do you have faith to believe God is still good, even when you suffer?
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Scripture teaches us it's a privilege to join Christ in the fellowship of His suffering (Philippians 3:10). Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us (Romans 3:3-5). In fact, James urges us to count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience (James 1:2-3).
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God allows suffering to lead us to know Him better, to mature us, and to increase our strength. Great suffering often means great ministry is coming. Listen to the testimonies of some of the greatest Christian leaders of our time. You'd be amazed at what they've suffered. The difference is, they don't allow suffering to break them, but to drive them to the feet of Jesus. Look into the lives of Lysa Terkeurst, Joyce Meyer, Beth Moore, Christine Caine, Jess Connolly, Priscilla Shirer, and Jennie Allen - just to name a few. They are women of great faith who have also suffered greatly. Look at the platform God has given them to reach the world.
When you suffer, resist Satan and command him to leave, just like Jesus did. When you suffer, ask God (with at least as much faith as a mustard seed) to deliver you. Minister to the Lord through fasting, service, giving to the poor, and abiding with Him. Ask God to show you the secret place of the Most High and hang out there with Jesus. Use every tool in the Kingdom to walk in your authority as a child of God.
If God allows you to suffer anyway, lean on Him as you put one foot in front of the other and walk through the storm. Trust that if He's allowed it, He has a greater purpose. You are growing muscles in places you didn't know you needed them, and He will not allow your suffering to be for no purpose. He will use it to touch the lives of others, if you don't get hard and bitter.
Satan will try to whisper to you that the suffering is your fault. You should've had more faith or that one sin you committed has led to this trouble. Remind Satan that you have all the faith you need and Jesus died on the cross to forgive all your sins. They are in the sea of forgetfulness! Keep your eyes on Jesus and experience the supernatural power of peace in the middle of the storm.
God is trustworthy. He will use everything for your good, the good of others, and His glory.
Love,
Kimberly
