Whatever I thought mattered pales in comparison to knowing Jesus as my dearest and most intimate friend. Over the course of my lifetime, I have lost many things, faced many trials, cried rivers of tears from a heart that has been shattered, and stared death in the face. However, every step of the way; Christ was there to comfort. He drew me close and I realized He understood; because He too had faced suffering. There was a sweet fellowship in suffering; where I understood that He knew exactly how I felt, and He loved me enough to have suffered all that He did, so He could save me. Suffering brings me to the heart of Jesus.
When I chased after counterfeit joys, He waited patiently, always ready to pick me up once more after I had crashed to the ground. There, He would pick me up, wipe away all the muddy dirt, and dry the tears. The battles of my heart, the fight against cancer, all the surgeries from ulcerative colitis, the loneliness of widowhood, the mass on the pancreas and all the financial burdens I faced; worked together to bring me to this place of resting, trusting in God.
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings Philippians 3:8-10
THE FELLOWSHIP OF SUFFERING
When sorrows and trials come into our lives, we find greater comfort from those who have been there. They have the empathetic, understanding ear. Certainly, they are the ones who sitting silently, holding our hands can truly sigh with you. They feel your tears. Jesus Christ does just that. He faced many sorrows, pains and trials along His journey here on earth; not, because He had too; rather, He chose to. Hebrews reminds us that we have a high priest who understands us; because, He, too faced pain, hunger, rejection, beatings and death on a cross-bearing the shame and guilt that should have been mine; so that, I might find my righteousness in Him.
God’s ultimate purpose for you and I is that we might look like Jesus one day. Every trial we face brings us one step closer to that goal. Not only does it force me to cling to Him with greater fervor; but, it also gives me the empathetic ear to hear another’s tears. Often, I find because of all I have walked through; people know I really can hear their pain. Perhaps, my eyes have grown a little grey and tender over the years; filled with heart that has grown through the pain. So, not only do I gain a sweet fellowship with Jesus; I gain the insight needed to draw others to Him. What would my life be worth, if I did not have the opportunity given by Grace to tell others about Jesus? After all, He can transform their eternity?
CONCLUDING TWEETS
[tweetthis]Is there any suffering too great for the salvation of one soul?[/tweetthis]
[bctt tweet=”If it is a cross I must bear to bring me closer to Jesus, then a cross I will bear” username=”effiedarlene”]
[tweetthis]Closer to Jesus, that is my prayer; whatever, God plans I desire[/tweetthis]
[bctt tweet=”Jesus–my hope my joy my comforter & my companion in every suffering trial I face” username=”effiedarlene”]
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link, if you have a prayer request email me by clicking here or comment here
OTHER RESOURCES AVAILABLE
I wrote and published Mountaintop Experiences in the Valley as a revised version in 2011 from the first writings I did in 2003. If you want to know more about the books I have written: You can find a link at: Book Resources.
featured Photo by RoninRon Custom Art The inscription I added.
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2017
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.