This spring I installed a small pond with a
little water-fall, with the hopes of attracting birds to my back yard. It seemed to work. All summer I have enjoyed sitting by the
fountain watching the birds and bees come for a drink. To my surprise, I also had a family of bull frogs
take up residence. The youngest, Kermit
loves to sit in the sun and often comes out to sit near my lounge chair. The other 2 frogs seem to be more easily startled,
diving into the murky water as soon as anyone comes near. Kermit however seems prepared for my arrival
and chooses not to be anxious over it. Who
would have thought this little frog would teach me a powerful lesson.
Over the past few months, I have had
to deal with the uncomfortable side effects of my chemotherapy. After each treatment, I can expect 3-4 days of
pain and nausea. I retreat under the
covers of my bed, trying to prepare for the pain and not fret too much when it
comes. It got me thinking, what is the
difference between preparing for suffering and fearing it?
The answer came through the scriptures.
In 1 Thessolonians 3:2-4 Paul said the following: “We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in
God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and
encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be unsettled by these
trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept
telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you
well know.”
The
Apostle Paul wanted his Christian brothers and sisters prepared for
suffering, so that their faith wouldn’t falter when the pain arrived. Aha! There is my answer! Preparing for suffering, minimizes our fear
and helps us to keep our faith! What a
better way to root ourselves in faith than by staying grounded in God’s
truth through scriptures. What a comfort it is to know personally the Lord Jesus who is the
creator and sustainer of all things. When we know Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we
do not need to fear persecution, sickness or death.
Christ himself understands our pain. He suffered the most gruesome death one could
imagine for us so that we might live as people who are holy (Eph.
5:2–21). His sacrifice was to pay for our sins so that we can come before our
Holy God. (Heb. 9:26). Christ was a “sin offering” offered on our
behalf so that we will “not live according to the flesh but according to the
Spirit” (Rom. 8:4) and that “we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor.
5:21). As a result of Christ’s work, we can be free from our sins. We deserved God’s divine judgement, not Christ.
But
Christ had some sobering words to share with us. Just before he commissioned and sent the
12-disciples into ministry, He spoke these words from Matthew 10:28 ” Do not be
afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid
of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” I have friends
and family who don’t share my faith and peace in Christ. Some even flat out reject
the Gospel, telling me I am wasting my time teaching the Bible to others. That, more than my own suffering weighs heavy
on my heart.
The
Gospel is good news and despite illness or confrontation from naysayers, I will
keep proclaiming it. Christ died for us
and was raised from the dead three days later.
Christ now sits at the right hand of God, our Heavenly Father.
Knowing Christ and living out His gospel will
help us to put aside our fears as we live in a dangerous world plagued by sin. Suffering is a part of our reality. Knowing we will never be forsaken by our Heavenly
Father should put all our fears aside. If
we abide in God’s word and lean on His grace through the work of the Holy Spirit
we will not be so quick to be moved to fear and take a nose dive every time
suffering comes our way. Thank you Jesus, for facing death on the cross for my behalf. Thank you Apostle Paul for God’s words of truth and clarity. Thank you Kermit for the unexpected object
lesson and for not fearing my presence when I join you by the pond.
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