For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. -Romans 8:18
Was God up to something when He allowed Joseph to be sold into slavery by his own brothers, was left to rot in prison, and then falsely accused of rape? Yes. God used these pain filled events to maneuver Joseph into prominence in Egypt, a position from which Joseph “saved” the lives of his brothers and his father Jacob. Joe’s suffering was worth it in the end.
Was God up to something when He allowed Job to lose his possessions, children, and his health? Yes. The book of Job has provided comfort to hundreds of millions, perhaps billions of sufferers. Job’s suffering was worth it in the end.
Was God up to something when He allowed Paul to be imprisoned for sharing the good news of Jesus Christ? Yes. Ironically it was from prison that Paul wrote the tremendously freeing epistles of Ephesians, Colossians and Philippians. Paul’s suffering was worth it in the end.
Was God up to something when He allowed the deaths of Naomi’s husband and two sons? Yes. God used Naomi’s daughter-in-law, Ruth, who followed her back from Moab, to be in King David and Jesus Christ’s lineage. Naomi’s suffering was worth it in the end.
Did these heroes/heroine always know what God was up to? No. Most had no clue of the manner in which God was about to use their troubles.
Is God up to something in your sufferings and mine? Definitely. Our suffering will be worth it in the end.
What if our sufferings do not result in such a spectacular outcome? If we can bring one small bit of glory to God through our sufferings, it will be worth it in the end. His glory far outshines our sufferings. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. – Romans 8:18.
