FOUR FOUNDATIONAL STONES – “BRUISES TURNED INTO BLESSINGS”

Human life is fraught with ups and downs. These ups and downs are the result of the fallen, sinful and wicked human nature. What God our Creator made to be good, is now turned into the exact opposite. Man, by rejecting God had invited evil into his heart, and thereby has himself turned into evil.

As Christians, touched and transformed by the grace and mercy of the LORD Jesus, we are now walking contrary to the world and its value system. When we do so, we should and must expect opposition. The world will oppose us and will try to forcefully crush us back into its mould. Here is the struggle, the suffering and the storm for a Christian. However, God will use such persecutions to bring only good out of all what we are suffering because of our faith in the LORD Jesus. This is what the written Word of God testifies.
– “2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” – James 1:2-4

As we walk contrary to the value system of the world, we will be hurt and harmed. However, what is comforting and encouraging is the fact that our God, the LORD Jesus Christ is with us, and is walking right beside us in all that is being thrown at us. It is our LORD and Redeemer who will turn our bruises into blessings. This is the third foundational stone that we are meditating. 
– “Believers are called to reckon suffering in [the] light of God’s purpose rather than their immediate pain. Christian joy rests in God’s sovereign goodness and in the certainty that He uses hardship to deepen faith and conform His people to Christ. Jesus likewise promised blessing to those who suffer for righteousness’ sake (Matthew 5:10–12), directing their hope toward the kingdom of heaven.” – Berean Study Bible Notes

“Trials come in varied forms, including persecution, loss, sickness, unjust treatment, and pressures that test obedience. Such hardships do not lie outside God’s care or purpose. Like Job, Joseph, and the prophets, believers may endure severe suffering while learning that the Lord remains faithful. Trials expose the reality of faith, refine perseverance, and provide occasions to trust God rather than yield to sin or despair.” says the Berean Study Bible Notes while commenting upon struggles and storms that a Christian faces.

Here under and a few more Scripture portions that will help see that God our LORD allows persecution of all kinds, which in turn produces only good in us. We see the LORD turning our BRUISES into BLESSINGS.
– “3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” – Romans 5:3-5
– “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
– “6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honour, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,” – 1 Peter 1:6-7
– “32 But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, 33 sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. 34 For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. 35 Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.” – Hebrews 10:32-36
– “12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” – 1 Peter 4:12-14
– “16 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.” – 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Dear brothers and sisters, let us not lose heart in the face of all what is bruising us badly. Let us steadfastly keep looking into the LORD Jesus Christ, who will turn all our BRUISES into BLESSINGS. Hence, let us walk by faith and never by sight – 2 Corinthians 5;7. Even so, the LORD Jesus help us.