Today I get fitted for my mask that will be used to hold my head and neck area in the correct place during radiation treatment. This afternoon I get a CT Scan but this time with contrast.
My wife has taken our precious granddaughter to meet her mom. Our granddaughter was a pure delight and joy to be with this week and she has been such a great nurse for her POP. Now, I just wish I could see the other three boys.
God has blessed me with a great family, a helpful and caring wife, two beautiful children, a wonderful daughter in-law, a wonderful son in-law and four grandchildren.
Of course, I know I having a praying mom who loves me and prays for me every day. I am grateful that my loving sister lives near her and is able to be there when mom wants help.
Yes, indeed, I am blessed!
Romans 5: 1-4
5 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,[1]
It is great knowing that we have been justified by faith and that we are standing in God’s grace. We are not promised a life free of suffering. We live in a broken world and we can be sure that suffering is included in our life. But in the end we can rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. What is that hope? Hope is the promise of eternal life for those who have been justified by faith and are standing in grace.
Suffering has its place in our world. We could not have justification or grace if it had not been for the suffering of Christ on the cross of Calvary. But there is a process of suffering that leads to an assurance of hope. Hope is not a wish. Hope is the fulfilled promise of God for eternal life to those who hear the word of God and believe on the name of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
I don’t pretend to understand everyone’s suffering. I didn’t understand Job’s suffering. I don’t understand the suffering of a precious baby that is terminally ill for no reason of its own. I don’t understand the suffering of a family who loses their daughter in a car wreck during the night. Life is full of terrible suffering heartaches.
I do know that God wants to turn our suffering into joy. We persevere through suffering. We can only persevere through the love of Christ in our hearts. That develops character in our lives because we find our identity in Christ. Our identity shapes our values and behaviors. In the end that produces hope.
We are brought into the world to live. Don’t let suffering prematurely put you in the grave. Give hope to those who need to hear that there is a promise of eternal life where suffering will cease to exist.
Thank you Lord Jesus for you promised hope.
[1]The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ro 5:1–4). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
Resting in HIS hands 