Thanks, everyone, for sharing your concerns and also for your prayers concerning my health condition. Also... in regards to the condition of my ever expanding age. :)
Overall my health is good and there is nothing that really stops me from functioning normally. My main concern is in being careful to prevent further developments with my Barrett's Esophagus, so I thank you for your prayers in that area!
As for my age... I do welcome the annual visit from the fire department, and here's to larger and larger fires! LOL. I truly feel that life has only just begun, even if my body is beginning to show signs of wear and tear. Growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ had made me increasingly aware of what real life truly is. :)
Hi Joel. You've got a great sense of humor! Love it. :o) I'm glad to know you. You are a gift. Happy belated Birthday and I also want to say a BIG thank you for adding me to your blog links!! That means a lot to me. I hope you have a fabulous day.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, GW! I'm also very blessed to have you as a friend. So when you gonna start blogging more??? :-D
ReplyDeleteHi Joel;
ReplyDeleteIt‘s good to hear you are doing well, it is interesting how we can grow so much in suffering…
Take care….
Hi LS,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment! It's so very true... suffering (whether in health or in other areas of life) truly produces growth.
Hi Guys,
ReplyDeleteLivingsword and Joel, you both made a comment which stirred up some thoughts in me. My question to the two of you is: Does suffering produce growth or does it instead reveal growth or . . . maybe both?
I'm not trying to add confusion here but I just don't know the answer. This is something I've never thought about before now. You two have a great depth of understanding this grace walk and I was wondering if you guys could help me out with this. Or anyone else who might have some thoughts on the subject.
I'm sorry, Joel. I hope I didn't just hijack your comments section. If I did, maybe you can answer by email.
Aida
Hi Aida,
ReplyDeleteNo problem discussing this here. I think it's a good topic. I don't claim to have the final answer on this but I'll share my thoughts.
I think suffering can affect people in different ways, and in the context of what we're talking about here... growth... I suppose much of it depends upon the mindset of the person who's suffering.
Perhaps it could be said that suffering facilitates, or leads to, growth in the person who is trusting in God. I mean, we all react differently to suffering, but over the long haul if we have perhaps a small amount of trust in God, then perhaps after we've suffered a while and have been comforted by the Holy Spirit and/or learned lessons through our suffering, then future times of suffering, even if it's harsher, can be worked through with more trust and more faith.
I should back up and say that I think "trust" is a large part of growth. I think our Abba Daddy wants us to trust Him more, and grow closer to Him. As we go through things in which we can really do nothing except trust in Him, we grow in trust, and we grow in wisdom, in perseverance, and in so many other things.
My esophagus problems, and the fear it has brought me due to knowing it could turn into cancer, has caused me to cling more to God and to what is eternal and not have such an earthly focus. It's borne a lot of fruit that just wouldn't have been there if not for my suffering. I've realized through it all that God does not "need" me when it comes to spreading the gospel, raising my family, or doing any of His work! Someday I'll leave this body and God's work will continue. Whether it's next week or in 80 years, the pressure is off of me to perform or to think anyone is dependent upon me for spiritual life. Really, God is the One on whom the world depends and He can take care of them with or without me.
You understand, of course, that this is not morbid or cynical talk. :) I'm just saying that through my suffering I've been humbled and I've grown to trust God and not myself.
"The pressure is off of me to perform or to think anyone is dependent upon me for spiritual life. Really, God is the One on whom the world depends and He can take care of them with or without me."
ReplyDeleteGood point, Joel. That is very freeing. I think we can get off track and knowing that does remove a heavy burden off of us. Suffering can force us to give up our illusions of control and hopefully allow Father to work in our situation.
Like I said, I'd never thought about it before but I've heard people say that the way to grow is to suffer as though suffering is necessary for growth and there's no other way. I know that's not what you or Livingsword said but that's what I thought of.
You said that in your suffering you've drawn closer to Daddy. Isn't the drawing closer to him what really causes growth and the suffering is the vehicle that causes us to draw closer? Maybe I'm splitting hairs here but I'm not trying to be argumentative.
I'm really just trying to figure it out in my own mind. I absolutely hate the thought of suffering and try to avoid it as much as possible. While I understand that not all suffering is unavoidable, I would think it's possible to grow by just drawing closer to him on our own and possibly avoid some suffering.
Well, I know I've talked a bit in circles but maybe I haven't confused you too much.
Aida
"Isn't the drawing closer to him what really causes growth and the suffering is the vehicle that causes us to draw closer?"
ReplyDeleteI think that's a good way to put it. That's really the essence of what I was trying to say when I said that suffering facilitates or leads to growth.
Suffering, in and of itself, can lead to many reactions in people. But to those who are in Christ, who are trusting in truths such as "God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose," etc, will see that suffering is not the "end" of anything but is the means through which we draw closer to God and as a result, grow closer to Him.
My younger Christian days were probably filled more with prayers of having everything work out 'right.' I've since learned that everything does not work out 'right.' :) But through it all I've learned more and more to trust that my Daddy is always with me. I think suffering has played a big part in that.
"Isn't the drawing closer to him what really causes growth and the suffering is the vehicle that causes us to draw closer? Maybe I'm splitting hairs here but I'm not trying to be argumentative."
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely brilliant, Aida!!
I was thinking about this just today and I never thought about the reason that suffering produces character is because suffering drives us to our God. Like Paul said about his suffering he experienced before writing to the Corinthians. "This was to make us rely not on ourselves, but on God who raises the dead."
If suffering changed us the why would Paul say that harsh treatment of the body does no good in stopping the indulgence of the flesh? Truly suffering isn't what changes us! Suffering drives us to our Father!
Hmm, not sure on that one. I just posted on a couple of days ago but it probably isn't of interest. I want to and will hopefully get into more of a "blog groove," lol.
ReplyDeleteHave a great night! :o)
Hi GW,
ReplyDeleteI've read your latest blogs but I just haven't had time lately to comment on other blogs, never mind responding to comments on my own blog! Life is an ongoing conversation, so keep on sharing and learning from others, as I find myself constantly doing. :)
I hear you! No worries at all. Have a wonderful evening, my friend.
ReplyDelete