"Difficulties and Suffering"

Difficulties that cause suffering is something we want to avoid. We live in a society that does everything it can to avoid suffering and pain. But we also live in a society that goes over-board on recreation and pleasure.

How would you like to have been one of the members at the church at Smyrna? Here were these brethren that Jesus identifies with knowing what they are doing and their lot in life. "I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan." (Rev. 2:9) Jesus knows. Why can't we believe that? When we are troubled by someone or our finances are so limited and we panic! The people of God panic! What does that say about us? Well, we are human, that's for sure! But what about our God? Who is our Lord? What we say and what we believe many times are different. Jesus knows where these people are and what they are going through! You can almost hear them rejoice that Jesus knows their every turn in life. But then comes the next words, "Do not fear what you are about to suffer!" What is coming Lord? Would you want to hear more difficulties are on their way? Would it cause you to panic or go into depression? These were God's people for whom Jesus gave His life and they were headed into more difficulties that might even cost some of them their lives (Rev. 2:10)!

What are we missing today? Are we really believing in the relationship between our heavenly Father and we His children? Are those just words we are suppose to say because we believe in God? How could they face what they were to face without panic and fear? "Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life...He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death." (Rev. 2:11) Maybe we don't see the reality of eternity! Faithfulness is what the Lord is looking for in each of us. Faithfulness through difficulties, through poverty, through illnesses, through bleak times because our lives are put into contrast with eternity! We are going to die once, unless the Lord returns, but it's that second death we need to concern ourselves with (Rev. 20:14). The second death will do us great harm forever and ever.

Look at eternity. Put everything in your life in view of eternity. The crown of life, which the second death will not touch, is the ultimate goal to be given to the faithful by Jesus Himself. LIFE! Life worn as a crown. Maybe we do so poorly with difficulties and suffering is because we don't see our lives redeemed by a Savior in bringing us to eternity. We simply see our lives existing on this earth piling up all we can, avoiding all uncomfortable situations we can while sin continues to ravage and destroy the heart and soul of individuals around us. I don't know about you but I don't want to stay here!