Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. (2 Cor. 1:3-4 NIV)
My friend Crystal died in November 2009. We had a sixteen year long friendship of mutual support and encouragement. Crystal had the same afflictions as I have, and several more besides. No matter what I was struggling through, Crystal always had to endure more. She encouraged me with her fortitude, and I always felt that if she could endure her terrible afflictions, I could certainly endure my lesser afflictions.
People can encourage us in numerous ways. There are always those who suffer more than we do, and who endure more trials and tribulations than we do. This does not lessen the fact that we are suffering, nor does it make our afflictions less challenging. But it does help us to put them in perspective.
It also helps to consider what Jesus endured for us. He suffered terribly, enduring a terrible death. Jesus understands what it is to “suffer in the flesh” and His suffering can also help us to put our trials and afflictions into perspective.
It may be that the suffering we do on this earth better prepares us for heaven. The things we suffer here may make heaven all the more wonderful when we get there. I look forward to the day when I see Crystal again in heaven, but for now I will remember her as a Christian warrior who kept up the good fight until the end. My hope is that we can all fight so bravely through our afflictions, finishing the race with heads held high, and eager to meet our Lord in a place free of suffering.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to be strong in Your strength as we face trials and afflictions of many kinds. Help us to stay strong and encourage one another as we are encouraged by You. Amen.
My friend Crystal died in November 2009. We had a sixteen year long friendship of mutual support and encouragement. Crystal had the same afflictions as I have, and several more besides. No matter what I was struggling through, Crystal always had to endure more. She encouraged me with her fortitude, and I always felt that if she could endure her terrible afflictions, I could certainly endure my lesser afflictions.
People can encourage us in numerous ways. There are always those who suffer more than we do, and who endure more trials and tribulations than we do. This does not lessen the fact that we are suffering, nor does it make our afflictions less challenging. But it does help us to put them in perspective.
It also helps to consider what Jesus endured for us. He suffered terribly, enduring a terrible death. Jesus understands what it is to “suffer in the flesh” and His suffering can also help us to put our trials and afflictions into perspective.
It may be that the suffering we do on this earth better prepares us for heaven. The things we suffer here may make heaven all the more wonderful when we get there. I look forward to the day when I see Crystal again in heaven, but for now I will remember her as a Christian warrior who kept up the good fight until the end. My hope is that we can all fight so bravely through our afflictions, finishing the race with heads held high, and eager to meet our Lord in a place free of suffering.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to be strong in Your strength as we face trials and afflictions of many kinds. Help us to stay strong and encourage one another as we are encouraged by You. Amen.
Karlton Douglas
Copyright 2016
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