THE CHRISTIAN PARADOX OF SUFFERING

Suffering, as the Bible speaks about in its pages, is a paradox that is a unique Christian concept. The Christian paradox of suffering is the upside-down version of what the world offers. God of the Bible uses our testings, our trials, our storms and our sufferings *to produce in us the much needed spiritual growth and maturity,* that enables in us…
– a deep sense of calm reassurance in the face of severe storms
– a peace that passeth all understanding in the midst of trials, testings and tribulations
– a firm resolve to continue the walk on the Narrow Path, because we are anchored firmly to all the promises of God
– and that He will not abandon us, but instead walks right beside us in and through it all.
HalleluYah! What an amazing and wonderful God is He, the God of the Bible!!!
– “At the heart of Christian doctrine is the greatest contradiction of all: Through weakness and death, Christ secured complete victory over his enemies and paved the way for eternal life for his people. That upside-down doctrine informs our practice, which is likewise counterintuitive. The way to attain ultimate blessing is by accepting weakness and suffering in this life. As Paul would say, when we are weak, then we are strong (2 Cor. 12:10).” – Jonathan Landry Cruse

Here in the following Bible verse we see the CHRISTIAN PARADOX of SUFFERING. Jesus calls all who are persecuted for right reasons, as blessed of God.
– “10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” – Matthew 5:10-12

One may ask WHAT is the RATIONALE BEHIND CHRISTIAN PARADOX of SUFFERING?
– “28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28
– “32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” – Romans 8:32
– “10 But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.” – Job 2:10

Dear brothers and sisters, let us remember this always that, “The paradoxes of Christianity are not contradictions to be explained away but mysteries to be embraced. For in Christ—as the Beatitudes remind us—what seems like loss becomes gain, what looks like weakness becomes strength, and what appears as death opens into life everlasting.” says Jonathan Landry Cruse in his article “The Paradoxes of Christianity.”

Therefore, as we go through tough and testing times, let us hold on to our faith in the LORD Jesus, and continue to steadfastly walk on the path, that He is asking us to. Everything that may be happening around us may not sense. Our continued faith in the LORD Jesus may be counted as foolishness by many, but as for us, let us walk with Him, the One who had called us out of darkness into His marvellous light. Even so, the LORD Jesus help us.