Lent Day 4: Suffering

"We also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance." ~Romans 5:3

Jesus answered, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous, but sinners to repentance." ~Luke 5:31-32

Let's see how this goes today as I have been immensely ill (again) with a sinus infection. I hope it clears up soon. Ha, now that I look at my scripture today, I can totally relate!

I went to the doctor today (okay, yesterday, but I was really too ill to write) because I figured it was about time I kicked whatever sinus problem I have that has crept up on me twice in the past month. I now have antibiotics and hope to be on the mend very soon. Yesterday, I wrote down that I will be healthy for a minimum of one year. That is a tall order to fulfill, but with a little faith and positive attitude, I think I can be very healthy for at least that amount of time. Being healthy I guess is a way of boasting that I have suffered illness. Boasting as a result of suffering? Interesting.

It is so very hard to be a Christian, especially when so many of my dearest friends are not. Following the path that Christ has paved for us is difficult. It is very easy to stray off the path onto a variety of paths. Our daily lives are stimulated in the fact that we have so many choices, some that seem real gooood, and some that seem too good to be true. It is SO easy to take that too good to be true path and then end up falling flat on your face when you trip over the hidden stones on the path. Walking the way of Jesus is not always clear, but sometimes we have to suffer and trip along the way to finally get it. Jesus is with us when we fall, and when we put our trust in Him, He picks us up. He builds our endurance. One of my favorite scriptures is Mark 11:24, "whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received* it, and it will be yours." Yeah, you're probably telling yourself, damn this girl is so naive. Not even! I believe the Lord delivers what you need when you need it. I don't think He delivers the bad things that we have tricked ourselves into believing we need. For example, as awful as my break-up with Mr. G was 6 years ago and how badly I thought I needed him, the Lord thought otherwise. I think a greater power than myself (aka God) knew I couldn't be with him. He was making my life right for better things. I asked in prayer for Graham back, but I have received something better in return, a continuing fulfilling life with real love.

It is so easy to be tempted by what we as mere humans think is right. Our sensory perceptions can deceive us into believing that something is good for us, when really it isn't.
"Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord* has promised to those who love him. No one, when tempted, should say, ‘I am being tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil and he himself tempts no one. But one is tempted by one’s own desire, being lured and enticed by it; then, when that desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and that sin, when it is fully grown, gives birth to death."
~James 1: 12-15

It is hard to resist temptation. Trusting that God will bring us through is the only way to live fully. Following in the path of Jesus may not be easy, but He is there when we turn to him for help. He will be there when our suffering is too much for us to bear alone.

When we are ill, we turn to the physician to heal our bodies. When our spirits are broken, we turn to Jesus. He died for our sins, He gives us a fresh start when we seek it. He alone has the power to heal our souls.