We all love gifts

We all love gifts.

Gifts from our loved ones, little gifts that are hand-made, expensive gifts from a husband, tiny gifts found on a walk given to you by a small child, a gift to say thankyou, a gift of appreciation, a congratulations, a birthday, a gift for no reason at all. 

Gifts are a way of say "I love you" without words.

Gifts are special and bring us joy - however, could a gift also be a result of pain and suffering?

"Cancer, she told herself, not without a note of wonder, was a gift"

It wasn't until I read the most recent book by Joni Eareckson Tada ("Joni and Ken") did it dawn on me those nasty journeys  in our lives should also be considered gifts and we need to accept them graciously and with joy.

Gifts are meant to be about love and kindness, how can a illness, loss of a baby though miscarriage or other troubles ever be seen as a gift?

There would be few of us that would look at our health difficulties, our marriage difficulties or perhaps the trouble with our children as gifts - but they are and NEED to be seen that way. Because through these difficulties and pain, one grows closer to the Lord, one leans harder and longer, learns to trust and have faith and though these difficulties one learns to be thankful for the small and perfect blessings we have received from the Lord.

"This is God's universal purpose for all Christian suffering: more contentment in God and less satisfaction in the world" ~ John Piper

Of course Satan has a different story to tell us and he likes to tell it often.

— he wants us to believe that God has forgotten us, neglected us, tossed us aside. He wants to constantly remind us that our pain and suffering is because the Saviour no longer loves us or wants us, we are too much of a bother. No — this  is so far from the the true, but how many men and women fall into this trap and have lost their faith when they loose someone dear to them. Sadly far too many and as a result Satan keeps on winning.

"And the more devastating the trials, the more He wrapped us both together around Himself. God used depression and chronic pain and cancer — far more than even quadriplegia — to bind us tighter than ever. To each other. To Him" (from the book "Joni and Ken")

We must never forget that in our most weary state, the Lord Jesus Christ, His Word and Him alone will bring healing to our struggling hearts and bodies, provide strength and peace to our muddled minds. Don't ever think that we go into battle alone, no matter how small that battle might be "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with meYour rod and Your staff, they comfort me." (Psalm 23:4)

And when suffering, do allow others in, this is SO important. It is when we are at our weakest that Satan is waiting to pounce, but it we surround ourselves with Christian friends and family we have a strong defence, a support system that protects us from these evil thoughts and stops Satan in his tracks. No Christian should ever be alone or isolated in their suffering.

So the next time you a suffering, remind yourself that through this pain there is a gift waiting for us, perhaps different to the gifts we get from other people, but far more precious and more importantly, from our Heavenly Father.



He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.

(Psalm 91:4)

****

Comments

  1. I am reminded of the verse in John 20:27 "Then He said to Thomas, "Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing."
    Thomas wasn't with the others the first time they saw Jesus after His resurection (v24), but Jesus knew, because of His omniscience, what Thomas had said on that occasion. He graciously met Thomas' request and the result was Thomas' adoration of His Lord.
    It gives me great encouragement that Jesus knows what I need before I ask Him. He is interested in my faith and trust in Him....the ultimate goal being to believe who He is. He has my best interests in His hands and is therefore more than worthy of my trust even when I don't understand what is happening.
    Blessing to you
    Claire

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is such a comfort that Jesus is more than one step in from of us, He knows everything - we just need to trust Him through the good and the bad. Have a lovely week.

      Delete
  2. Not easy to accept difficulties as gifts but what if they truly were but only in disguise?
    Food for thought.
    I enjoyed reading your lovely devotional.
    Thank you for sharing.
    God bless

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thankyou for stopping by :)) Have a wonderful week.

      Delete
  3. I'm learning this myself more and more, the older I get and the more trials the Lord allows in my life. It is only when we find contentment and joy amidst the trials that they become less of a burden and we can feel like we can carry on joyfully despite them. This is all part of learning to be thankful for EVERYTHING -
    "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
    "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 5:20)
    If we can see our sufferings as gifts from God, then we can easily turn around and give thanks for them - isn't that one of the basic things our parents teach us - to be thankful for gifts we are given?!? :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree that with age and the more tribulations one has, the more I see things as gifts to be thankful for:))

      Delete
  4. Suffering is a gift - recent and on-going experience has made me nod over and over while read your post. I am also reading a book currently on this topic, which also reminds us that suffering is strangely God's way of making us more Christ-like. We should thank Him for that! We want to be like Him, and knowing that He sees a bigger picture than we, accept with thanks whatever it takes to make us more like Him.
    Thank you ever so much for YOUR ongoing love and support - it means ever so much to me!
    love,
    Bets

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wonder why so many, at the very time they should cling to Christ, desert Him when they loose a loved one (especially a child) - blaming Him for the lost and pain rather than trying to understand (as you say), the bigger picture. Over and over again we are instructed to "trust in the Lord" and so often we fail. Satan really does consume some people to turn against God.

      And thankyou for your beautiful and kind words, just doing what friends do :)))

      Hugs xxx

      Delete
  5. Yes, I agree, as hard as it can be to accept, even grief is a gift and gives us the ability to understand what others are going through. Thanks for sharing at Good Morning Mondays. Blessings

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is a very good point, if we never suffer ourselves we can't truly understand others who suffer :)

      Delete

Post a Comment