3  Special Treasures of Suffering! Surely you  are wondering if I mistakenly used the word  “treasure” when I meant to use “tragedy”.  It is no mistake!

Suffering is never chosen and rarely welcomed.  Whether we are dealing with sickness in our body, emotional trauma in our mind, or hardship in our finances, suffering happens.  It may be brief or prolonged, but either way, we don’t want it, and we are anxious for it to be over.  There is nothing appealing about suffering… or is there?

How can there be treasures in suffering.   For a moment, think of suffering as a sunken chest sitting at the bottom of the ocean.  It isn’t easily seen or retrieved, but it’s there. On the surface are beautiful blue waters and rippling waves.  Often we suffer in silence, only allowing others to only see what we want to present but below is a heavy chest.  We don’t want others to see our chest or what it’s made of but more importantly, we should be looking in the chest.  Inside are three very special and valuable treasures!

1) GROWTH

When we suffer illness, pain, or lack, we are given the opportunity to grow.  The period while we are dealing with our problem can be spent complaining and resisting, or  it can be used to grow.  We can embrace this time to become more focused on the stretching of our character and drawing closer to God.  It is a period which reveals to us who we are and what we are capable of.  Suffering can teach us to practice pushing beyond what our minds tell us.  Giving up on faith is easy,  but holding on will grow us tremendously!

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations, knowing this, the trying of your faith worketh patience.  But let  patience have her perfect work, that  ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.  James 1:2-4

2) TRUST

In lighter times, we subconsciously rely on our own attributes and capabilities for solutions.  However, when we are experiencing trying situations, and we  don’t know how things will turn out or even what to expect, we find out if we really trust God. When we have exhausted all avenues,  then we come to the realization that only God can help us.    Naturally, we would prefer to be given a reprieve, but first trust is offered. Its purpose is to  allow us to breathe in a stifling situation.  The pressure that normally dominates our minds and actions is lifted because we have fully put the circumstances in God’s hands.  We are now relying on him.  This does not mean that we don’t think about our condition, but in the end, we rely on God.  We become accepting of our limitations and acknowledging of God’s limitless power. We trust him!

For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.  Jeremiah 29:11

3) HONOR

In the bible Job suffered the loss of his possessions, family, and even health.  He was chosen by God to suffer.  Many focus on the fact that Job loved and trusted God.  The beauty that captures me is that God trusted Job.  What an honor that God knew what he could expect from his servant.  He knew both the strength and faithfulness that Job possessed.  Job’s wife nor friends, understood his plight.  His wife admonished him to curse God and die.  His friends blamed him for his losses.  Though he was hurting and sometimes frustrated, he was chosen for that task at that time.  His overall exceptional acceptance of his suffering was rewarded with double honor and restoration.  When we are chosen by God to suffer, we are given the honor of introducing others to the power and sovereignty of God.  Our demeanor as we suffer will tell people more about God than just the words we speak.  In fact, the way we face trials should cause people to be inspired and lifted.  It should strengthen their faith!

Hast though considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God and escheweth evil? Job 1:8

In every situation, we have a choice.  We can lie down or we can stand tall.  Finding the special treasures hidden in our trials can strengthen us and build our endurance.  I’m not suggesting that suffering feels good, but it definitely has its perks!