July 9, 2004
PostPosted: Thu Jul 08, 2004 8:29 pm
Suffering
"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."
Romans 8:18
We all suffer at some point in life. Some seem to face more trials than others. But God's mercy has provided someone to walk through those difficult valleys with you. You do not suffer alone. Christ walks with you. And He points you to the eternal promise of peace.
The famous preacher D.L. Moody told about a Christian woman who was always bright, cheerful, and optimistic, even though she was confined to her room because of illness. She lived in an attic apartment on the fifth floor of an old, rundown building. A friend decided to visit her one day and brought along another woman -- a person of great wealth. Since there was no elevator, the two ladies began the long climb upward. When they reached the second floor, the well-to-do woman commented, "What a dark and filthy place!" Her friend replied, "It's better higher up." When they arrived at the third landing, the remark was made, "Things look even worse here." Again the reply, "It's better higher up." The two women finally reached the attic level, where they found the bedridden saint of God. A smile on her face radiated the joy that filled her heart. Although the room was clean and flowers were on the window sill, the wealthy visitor could not get over the stark surroundings in which this woman lived. She blurted out, "It must be very difficult for you to be here like this!" Without a moment's hesitation the shut-in responded, "It's better higher up." She was not looking at temporal things. With the eye of faith fixed on the eternal, she had found the secret of true satisfaction and contentment.
Prayer: Ask God to help you see past the sufferings in this life, and focus on the joys awaiting in that place He is preparing for you.
"I don't deserve this, but then I have arthritis and I don't deserve that either." ~Bob Hope accepting an award
"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."
Romans 8:18
We all suffer at some point in life. Some seem to face more trials than others. But God's mercy has provided someone to walk through those difficult valleys with you. You do not suffer alone. Christ walks with you. And He points you to the eternal promise of peace.
The famous preacher D.L. Moody told about a Christian woman who was always bright, cheerful, and optimistic, even though she was confined to her room because of illness. She lived in an attic apartment on the fifth floor of an old, rundown building. A friend decided to visit her one day and brought along another woman -- a person of great wealth. Since there was no elevator, the two ladies began the long climb upward. When they reached the second floor, the well-to-do woman commented, "What a dark and filthy place!" Her friend replied, "It's better higher up." When they arrived at the third landing, the remark was made, "Things look even worse here." Again the reply, "It's better higher up." The two women finally reached the attic level, where they found the bedridden saint of God. A smile on her face radiated the joy that filled her heart. Although the room was clean and flowers were on the window sill, the wealthy visitor could not get over the stark surroundings in which this woman lived. She blurted out, "It must be very difficult for you to be here like this!" Without a moment's hesitation the shut-in responded, "It's better higher up." She was not looking at temporal things. With the eye of faith fixed on the eternal, she had found the secret of true satisfaction and contentment.
Prayer: Ask God to help you see past the sufferings in this life, and focus on the joys awaiting in that place He is preparing for you.
"I don't deserve this, but then I have arthritis and I don't deserve that either." ~Bob Hope accepting an award