John 16:33 – I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” (HCSB)

My friend and I were discussing the troubles in life, and basically surmised “no one ever thinks it will happen to them”. Jesus said there would be suffering in the world, but surely He didn’t mean in MY world. I quote the scripture and sing the songs but am dumbfounded when any unpleasantness happens to me. Somewhere in my subconscious I think Jesus meant other people would have problems, irritations, and illnesses, not me. I read about Job. I quote scripture from his book and share his story to hold him up as an example ……. for others, never for a moment believing God would allow me to suffer that way. I promote and proclaim that all things should bring glory to God and stand on a platform of praising God through the good and the bad ….. until something bad happens to me. When bad things happen to you, I can share with you the importance of using your pain to witness to others. When bad things happen to me, it’s all different. I cry out “why me?” and demand God explain Himself for allowing this to happen. Sometimes the pain isn’t about me but about bringing others into the presence of God. I may try to make it all about me, but it’s not. Sometimes my trials have a purpose I can’t see, a purpose I can’t understand. God does not take joy in seeing me suffer. He takes joy in seeing me praise Him in the good times and the bad times. He takes joy in seeing my faith and having my actions and attitude cause others to want to know Him. St. John Chrysostom says, “Do you seek any further reward beyond that of having pleased God? In truth, you know not how great a good it is to please Him.”