Suffering builds Patience, Patience builds trust

April 30, 2020
Today’s devotion is based on Colossians 1:11-12, “May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.”

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could say about suffering? “I’m finished with it forever!” Unfortunately, we will never be free from suffering, for suffering is the price we all pay for living in a fallen world. The good news is that suffering teaches patience, which can only come from suffering for a while. For, after all, the word “patience” means “longsuffering.” When we experience suffering, we’re learning how to be patient with God and with others. Suffering teaches us to trust in God’s goodwill toward us. Patience and trust are not easy to learn. But the rewards are great here on this earth and in eternity.
Please pray with me the prayer for today: Heavenly Father, creator, and sustainer of all things, seen and unseen, as much as I do not like to suffer, help me learn the lessons you desire to teach me through suffering. In Jesus’ name, I pray Amen.