Today God reminded me that suffering is not only probable, it is necessary.
I desire comfort; I desire it so much. I want peace, I want time at the end of the day for myself, I want to not feel too hungry, I want enough sleep, I want my room to be clean, I want only the things on my to-do list to arise during the day.
But things inevitably come up. And the things that come up that are out of my control, sometimes I react so negatively (aka sinfully) because they’re uncomfortable. It’s traffic, it’s running late, it’s a parking ticket, or a family member unexpectedly asking for a favor.
But most of all, when I desire to be comfortable, I don’t want to fight sin. Fighting sin is the most uncomfortable thing ever, and the fight is all around and unending. I push it aside, guilt and all, and try to just go go go. But the Holy Spirit who resides within me, He’s also relentless. He reminded me today:
“… provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” Romans 8:17
As a child of God, I will suffer. Why? Because I live in a world that is not of God. As a sojourner and exile, I await the future. There is no need to live for the now, and so it is uncomfortable. It is the very reason why so many in the world search for comfort and reason in a world that simply cannot stand up under the demand. Like salt water to a person dying of thirst. The whole world groans for the future, and for a hope that which we cannot see. (8:25)
I must wait for it in patience (8:26). And I must not only fight, but fight in victory because I know that the Spirit intercedes on my behalf (8:26).
Thank God that when I look for comfort in the world, I only find un-comfort. Thank God that He makes me aware that I’m unbelievably thirsty. It all draws me to Him, and finally brings a comfort and quenching that is lasting. Even after saving me, God continues to pull me through even when I kick and scream against Him.
