“1ON that day they read from the Book of Moses in the hearing of the people. And in it was found written that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever enter the assembly of God, 2for they did not meet the people of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them—yet our God turned the curse into a blessing.” – Nehemiah 13:1-2 (ESV)
O how often I have been “given” something other than a blessing. I have been mistreated and beat down and frankly felt completely unworthy of anything.
But, God has always pulled me through. He has always gotten me to a better place after the suffering I went through. God certainly allowed my suffering to “teach me something”.
I have witnessed the questions as to how could a God of Love allow for suffering, adversity, and persecution. That is just the part that demonstrates love is the willingness to allow for the suffering, adversity, and persecution. I have to learn somewhere what is right and proper. Even as a parent, as much as I want to, I cannot protect my boys from the difficulties they will face. I have to let them suffer, encounter adversity, and be persecuted for them learn.
All of that difficulty has been a blessing for the future in that I am now stronger and more able by coming through it. God allowed and continues to allow me to figure it out on my own. I have to remember that just because I came through okay, that does not mean I will not have the same challenges in the future. I will continue to be challenged, only this time the experience from yesterday is a blessing for tomorrow.
Have you experienced suffering, adversity, and persecution? How do you look at those times in your life? What if you looked at them as blessings for tomorrow?
Trevor's Thoughts 