Purpose of Suffering

The purpose of suffering is not to drive you away from God, but rather, to draw you near to Him. The secret (according to Hudson Taylor, missionary to China) is to let the suffering drive you closer to Jesus.

It is not necessary that you understand what you are enduring, only that you believe that He is with you in your suffering and has a glorious purpose in allowing it.

Suffering

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,

18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

You can successfully deal with suffering if you are looking in the right place.

Friends

You find out who your real friends are when you start suffering.

Interesting quote

“The Devil is wildly optimistic if he thinks he can make human beings worse than they are.” — Karl Kraus

I borrowed this from my good friend, Pastor Jon Clayton over at http://blog.jonclayton.name/

Update on Rachel

She is home from the hospital and is doing better. She is on the way to speak with a new counselor, so hopefully this will help.

Thank you all for praying...

My Daughter Rachel

Honestly, tonight my heart is broken for my daughter. For those of you who know her, she is still struggling with mental issues. It has come to a head again, and she is back in the hospital.

I know that God is good and that He has a plan. Thank you for your prayers.

Prayer Request

My friend, Pastor Bill Walden, is making another trip to Mexico for the missionary work they sponsor down there. Please pray for their safety and for the Lord's blessing on all who attend.