Joseph and Job.
After refusing the continual temptations from his master's wife, he was thrown in jail.
After serving God faithfully, almost everything he possessed was taken away.
Is God cruel? He is if our hope is to avoid suffering.
My desire for a long time was to live a comfortable life, time after time standing at the edge of the diving board, I knew what God expects, to forsake all hope and love for this world and follow him.
Isn't it funny? God doesn't promise comfort, but suffering. "All who desires to live a righteous life will suffer" "They hate you because they first hated me"
Broken families, sickness, strained relationships, accidents, death.
This life is full of tears and sorrow, sometimes becoming a Christian causes more sorrow, and God doesn't take these bad circumstances away.
But there is hope, and comfort. Suffering is like throwing gold into the furnace, what comes out is purer than what went in. It's like a loud reminder of how messed up this world is and how weak and helpless we are in dealing with the waves of history and circumstances. It's a reminder that we are but pilgrims, and life is short.
It is said that the present suffering is light and momentary compared to the eternal weight of glory that is to come (I have no idea what that's like). Do I really believe that? God help us to rejoice in suffering.
Well put brother.
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