◄ What Suffering ►

Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he’ll not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6

Bring up children in the training and admonition of the Lord.
Ephesians 6:4

Child Training

"Spare the rod and spoil the child.." What an important element child-training and correction is in the realm of mankind, and how we lament the indoctrination of humanity by this world system. What an important factor child-training is for the maturing of the believer, but how we lament the chastening of the Lord, as He seeks to mature His own.

Measure of Training

'Suffering' is a word with many meanings – each understands suffering differently. What is intense suffering to one is not considered to be much suffering by another. Some suffer with little apparent distress – others suffer intolerable agonies. The Lord knows His own, and to each He brings that measure of training required. He brings each one to their point of distress – to bring each a knowledge of Himself.

Suffering and Salvation

Whatever form of suffering God’s training takes, it will do His work in each one. We should not kick against the pricks of our own child- training and chastening. We should not scorn the child-training and chastisements he gives to others. The Lord knows His own – and to each, He brings that measure of training required. But let us no longer regard suffering as penalties, punishment, or judgments. The Lord knows His chosen ones – and He will deal with each believer appropriately. The Lord chooses His way and His time, to bring many sons to glory. The Lord selects suffering that will bring His children to the fullness of Christ and like their Lord, to make their salvation perfect through sufferings.

Blessing in Suffering

Some are blessed to discover the treasures of Christ through the hour of suffering. He comforts us in all our sufferings, so that we can comfort others who suffer -so that we will be able to give them the same comfort that God has given us. 2Cor.1:4  It is as each of his own reaches the extremity of their own suffering and pain.. that each discovers that Christ alone is all they need and all they desire. It is only as His own discover the comforts of Christ through chastisements.. that each arrives at his own deeper understanding of Paul’s exhortation:-  that through suffering, these bodies of ours constantly share in the death of Jesus – so that the Life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.” 2Cor.4:10

Fruit of Suffering

The fruit of suffering and training is the drawing closer and nearer to Christ. The outworking of sufferings are the benefits this closeness to Him gives to others. The learning and knowledge of Christ in a life, is through the school of suffering. The exercise and outworking of Christ in a life, is enhanced and refined through trials. Paul reckons we should embrace trials: for the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory, which shall be revealed in us. Rom.8:18

Suffering Creation

The whole universe.. the whole creation of God is to derive benefit from our pain. The whole of creation is waiting for the time when our suffering in this world is over, for like us the whole of creation is in the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God, so the whole of creation eagerly awaits for the revealing of the sons of God. Rom.8:19

His Chastising

As we track through this mortal life there are times His training seems futile and hard, and as we face the daily trial and pain of life, we sometimes wonder what is the point? So what is the point of this child-training.. His chastisements and our sufferings? Well, child of God, He tells us: spare the rod and spoil the child… Prov.13:24.. Bring up a child in the way he should go, Prov.22:6. . Bring up children up in the training and admonition of the Lord Eph.6:4

Benefit of Suffering

As parents and grandparents we know, only too well, the end result of a child that is not disciplined and trained in the admonition of the Lord. How much more does God know! How much more does God know the benefits that we derive from HIS training? God knows the end from the beginning. He knows even the pain we must endure, will produce for us eternal fruit. Our schooling here on this little plot in this world is to derive universal benefit. Suffering now produces the fruit of righteousness for later. Kicking against the pricks now will invalidate your present life-service.

Author and Finisher

Let us in this life accept His child-training – His chastening – our sufferings: looking unto Jesus, Who is the Author and Finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the suffering of the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Heb.12:2.   Yes, Jesus.. though He was a Son learned obedience by the things that HE Suffered. Heb.5:8