Transcript:

Hello, this is Pastor Don Willeman of Christ Redeemer Church. Welcome to The Kingdom Perspective.

We tend to be fearful of difficult circumstances. Often, underneath this fear is not merely a revulsion to hard things, but a faulty belief system that equates suffering and pain with God’s lack of care and concern. But such thinking is categorically false.

Trouble is no sign that God doesn’t love me. The Bible teaches the exact opposite. “Those whom the Lord loves, he disciplines” (Hebrews 12). God “trains” and “disciples” (note the root connection with “discipline”) the children He loves.

Trials are not contrary to God’s love but are how He works that love in us.

What is the goal of life? What is God intending to produce in me? Through all our trials, God’s goal is that we might share in His character, and so be filled with His joy. We are to become like Jesus, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross (Hebrews 12:2).

Thus, we are not saved from trouble; we’re saved through it. We are not saved from suffering; we are saved through suffering. The cross of Christ teaches us this; it was through His suffering, He saved us.

Now, Jesus calls us on the same path of suffering He Himself has overcame. Jesus put it this way, “Here on earth, you will have trials and troubles. But take courage; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

You see, our fear makes us run from suffering. Looking at Jesus drives us to embrace it.

Something to think about from The Kingdom Perspective.

“In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.”

~1 Peter 1:6-9 (NASB)