Nougat 26

So I had a very profound reflection on today’s Holy Nougat; and mid-preparation I lost the entire text.

Not quite as profound now perhaps but here’s version 2

Suffering is a fixed element in the lives of us humans. Whether physical, mental, emotional, psychological, social, or otherwise; we do have our share of pain, trauma and suffering. We also have different triggers for such and even when related may respond differently.

Unfortunately, as believers in Christ we are NOT exempt from suffering; there are those who’d say the propensity for suffering increases because of our faith – and today’s Holy Nougat seems to substantiate that.

“In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.”

1 Peter 5:10 NLT

The joy implicit in the text however, is that

A. Suffering is not permanent (though it may seem that way). Rather, we have the assurance that God will

B. Restore – whether restoration like Job 42, or Joel 2; we are assured that God’s bringing us back to our rightful glory (check out God’s workmanship in the mirror, around us or in nature – God’s got this!!)

C. Support – Psalm 91 assures is that angels are assigned us to protect us. More importantly, Jesus promised to be with us ALWAYS (Matthew 28). We gotta take His Word for real

D. Strengthen – After His 40-day fast and season of temptation (Luke 4); we’re assured that Jesus was ministered to by angels. And 1 Kings 17 tells us how Elijah was strengthened during a famine. There are other cases; biblical and real; now it’s for us to walk into same promises

E. Keep us Grounded – with Jesus as our foundation, we will grounded. Plus; having survived the season of suffering; we will KNOW beyond the shadow of a doubt that our source is YHWH Elohim; Creator, Christ AND Comforter

Suffering comes in many forms. Some seasons last longer than other; it’s true. But there’s an assurance of glory; the promise that suffering is temporary.

Let’s praise our way through the pain!

In Christ’s love and grace