How To Overcome Suffering With A Smile

John 12:27 - "Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour. NASB 
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• Less Than A Week To Live 

Jesus informs us that His soul is suffering or troubled. He has less than a week to live and He knows it. What would be going through your mind if you knew you had less than a week to live?
 
Would your soul be troubled?
 
One thing I have noticed about some humans, myself included, is we many times wonder why is this (whatever this is) happening to me. Am I suffering because of some sin I committed?
 
Ask yourself these questions the next time you're suffering or your soul is troubled.
 
"Why is Jesus suffering? What sin has He committed?"
 
The answer is He has committed no sin. Therefore, all suffering is not because of sin. We must never forget this truth.   

• Your Suffering Has A Purpose 

The one valuable nugget of truth Jesus shares with us is His trouble had a purpose. This is what He says, "… But for this purpose I came to this hour."
 
Years ago I baptized a man into Christ named David. He was informed he had cancer and not long to live. He did not want people feeling sorry for him, he told me. I said, "Okay, I have a plan when you're in the hospital I will send people to see you. I will tell them to visit you and minister to you, but what you need to do is minister to them. Share your faith and tell them how Jesus is helping you through this trial."
 
Every person I sent to visit David came back to me and said, "I didn't minister to him. He ministered to me."
 
As I was at his bedside 45 minutes before he went to be with the Lord, this is what he asked me. "Do you think the Lord has anyone else he wants me to minister to?"
 
I spoke for God that day without really being told what to say, when I told him, "There is no one else God wants you to minister to. He wants you to come home now." In 45 minutes David breathed his last breath.
 
David allowed his troubled soul to have a purpose just like Jesus. 

• What About You? 

Is your soul troubled today?
 
Then put a smile on your face and say, "I am going to make sure that my suffering fulfills a purpose." God hasn't abandoned me. He is allowing me to face this time of trouble to serve a purpose and serve a purpose with it I will.
 
Think About This: 
 
Faith helps us face the music, even when we don't like the tune.

Stay Pumped,
 
Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word