In the natural realm we understand that change is often crisis-driven. Do we accept this fact in the spiritual realm as well? So often we don’t have a change of heart until it hurts, until the pain of staying the same hurts more than the pain of change. Yet pain is the change-agent of both equations. The question is not if you will suffer in this life but when. Or more often, when will it end? If suffering is such a great change-agent then shouldn’t we have a better attitude about it? The scriptures say yes!

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. -1Peter 4:1

Consider this definition of suffering: “Not getting my way in the circumstances of the present moment”. This fosters an environment of faith, patience, humility etc. In short, spiritual maturity is suffering-driven. The key to personal growth in our lives is not to run from suffering but to embrace it, yield to it and learn through it. When we do, it becomes a powerful tool in the hands of God to shape us into His image. God isn’t the author of our suffering but the redeemer of it. He takes what was intended for evil and converts it into an experience of grace. If you look for God in the midst of your suffering, you’ll discover Him in ways you’ve never known. People all over the world are hurting. In our own backyard people are suffering. We have a message of hope for those in the middle of crisis. You ask why I talk about suffering? I ask why you don’t?