5 Things God Is Trying To Teach You Through Your Suffering

4. Seasons of struggle provide opportunities to grow in ways that would otherwise be impossible.

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:6-7

My family life has always been a little difficult. With divorce and remarriage, the ties that bind sometimes serve to tangle, so to speak. The amazing thing that has happened throughout all of this brain tumor business, is that my family has really stepped up to be a support. Years of bitterness and brooding over past hurt seem petty in comparison to the enormity of the situation at hand. Throughout the past few weeks there has been a sense of peace and acceptance that doesn’t really make any sense without God.

5. Don’t just pray for the suffering to be over; pray that you would suffer well.

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14

While prayers for healing are always at the forefront of my mind, God has been showing me that maybe perfect health isn’t the end goal. After all, there will always be another sickness, a car accident, an unexpected loss, etc., but I don’t love God for what He can do for me; I love Him because He first loved me, and called me out of darkness into His light. Therefore, my ultimate desire shouldn’t be healing, but whatever is going to bring God the most glory. I’m (slowly but surely) learning the joy, freedom, and truth behind “not my will, but Yours be done.”