Exploring Our Children’s Potentials

I’m sure every one of us agrees on this : There is no individual on earth who has not suffered, at one point or another.

Since suffering is inevitable, what matters more is actually our response to it when it takes place in our lives, isn’t it?

I too still have so much to learn as I go through my own ups and downs in my life’s journey, which is why I was greatly blessed by yesterday’s sermon.

So many reminders and encouragements. Food for thought, definitely.

And I’d like to share some of these thoughts with you today, and I hope you are blessed too just as I have been blessed by them.

Is there any pure gold that has never gone through ‘fire’? Is there any beautiful dress / robe / any piece of clothing that has never been cut and sewed? Is there any diamond that has never been cut nor polished?

Here goes:

> When suffering takes place, do not pity ourself!
Those who feel sorry for themselves put themselves in the centre of everything, as the main focus. With such a mindset, they will not look for a way out. They will tend to blame others : God and other people. They will not be able to pick themselves up, be encouraged and move on.

> When suffering takes place, we may want to cry, and it’s okay.
But do not rely on our own strength. Rely on hope and strength from God.

> When we ourselves have gone through and moved on from a particular form of suffering (eg. Betrayed by our loved ones), we will emerge stronger than before, and when we’re asked for advice by others who are going through something similar to what we’ve gone through, our advice will naturally have more power, more ‘weight’ to it

> Everyone goes through trials, difficulties and suffering. And they can purify us.
The Bible says that such difficult episodes in our lives can purify us further, like turning gold into pure gold.

Is there any pure gold that has never gone through ‘fire’?
Is there any beautiful dress / robe / any piece of clothing that has never been cut and sewed?
Is there any diamond that has never been cut nor polished?


[The beauty of nature displays the glory and faithfulness of God who created it all]

…

If God allows our lives to go through any kind of ‘fire’ or tribulation (ie. When we fight for what’s true and right), there’ll be goodness and benefits out of it all (even though we may not be able to see it in the beginning). Our characters will also be further ‘polished’ and ‘purified’, becoming even better than before.

However difficult and super tough our suffering may be, Jesus Christ has gone through the WORST kind.

And, there’s one last important thing that we should always remember too :

However difficult and super tough our suffering may be, Jesus Christ has gone through the WORST kind.

He was blamed, looked down upon, despised, betrayed, physically and emotionally abused, forsaken, nailed on the cross and killed, by the very people whom He loved and came to this world for. For us all.

And no suffering in the world can ever beat that. Ever.

God knows what total suffering is. Let’s rely on God alone, whenever suffering takes place in our lives.

May God help us all.

…

[This post is inspired by yesterday’s sermon, delivered by Rev. DR Stephen Tong]