“Nothing irritates Satan more than us choosing God over our pain and suffering. We can endure everything if we know Jesus is sitting next to us." (Joni Eareckson Tada)
I personally want to always choose to trust God and focus on God's power, faithfulness, and sovereignty over my pain and suffering whether it would irritate satan or not. I believe that when Jesus is our Life, we can endure anything because we no longer live but Christ lives in us (Galatians 2:20). "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:9-10) And we do know that Jesus never leaves us nor forsakes us and we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us.
What then shall we choose when facing pain and suffering? Sadly, some people choose to blame God and turn away from Him. But think about it....which is worse: suffering without God or suffering with God on your side? I know which one I'd choose. Here are other things I also choose:
- Fixing my eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith
- Embracing an eternal perspective
- Praying for God's will
- Resting in God's Word/promises
- Bringing honor and glory to God
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