The Melody of Suffering

Suffering is no stranger to us.

There have been times where I have lulled myself into a false sense of security and I have thought it may have left us. That its grasp weakened and we were able to slip away.

But it has not. Suffering walks amongst us and stays with us faithfully. Clinging to us as if we are it's life force. As if our very weakening gives it strength.

So, no, suffering is no stranger to us.

That being said, I would also say that suffering has been a far greater teacher to us than joy has ever been.

Suffering hurts. It's a part of our lives, and it hurts. Nobody likes suffering. Who enjoys to have our worldly flesh chiseled away as we are shaped into a more Christ-like being?

But, suffering IS shaping us. It has a godly purpose that , long ago, was written by a perfect composer.

God has written a beautiful melody of joy and suffering that He sings to us in this broken world. Suffering is intertwined with joy, with thankfulness, and with purpose. We must seek the beauty in the suffering and thank the Lord for it. We must thank Him, even when that beauty is hidden from us.

God is constant, and never changing. We must trust in the truth of who He is and trust that His plan is truly perfect and for our good.

When suffering's melody seems to be the anthem of our hearts we must trust.

We must forgive offenders, thank God for the circumstance, ask how we can serve Him, and trust.

There has never been a more passionate love song than the one the Lord sings with the lyrics of suffering.

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