All who follow Jesus can expect hardship, but remember, he is compassionate – there’s a reason; there’s a purpose. And those purposes are always for your good.
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada, and everyone who takes the Bible seriously agrees that God hates suffering. Jesus spent most of his time relieving it. In lots of places in the Bible, God tells us to feed the hungry, clothe the poor, visit prisoners, and speak up for the helpless. God shows compassion every day, even now, by raising sick people from their beds, sometimes to the wonder of doctors. Everyday God grants childless couples babies, pulls depressed people out of the pits, protects and writes happy endings to sad situations. But it simply doesn’t follow that God’s only relationship to suffering is to relieve it. He specifically says in his Word that all who follow him can expect hardship. But remember, God is compassionate: there’s a reason; there’s a purpose. And those purposes are always for our good and designed by our Father in Heaven who is always compassionate. Something to remember today if you’re hurting.
© Joni and Friends