To Live Well?

Yesterday I was reminded that there many truths to life and that no matter what some may say, some things are not going to change.
One of the things that we all must teach our children and learn our selves is: We all will suffer. Learn to suffer well. God is still good.
Jesus suffered. He suffered well. His trial and crucifixion prove that. But, think about human nature, the way people treat others who may be a bit unusual. Then think about what Jesus may have suffered growing up. Suffering of any kind shapes us. How we react and our outlook can have a profound effect on us for the rest of our lives.
Will we work our way through it? Will we become stronger emotionally and physically? Will we be more compassionate towards others? Or; Will we become bitter? Stop loving others? Stop living?
Our faith really shines in times of suffering. Sometimes we can blame others for our suffering. We are responsible for our actions and to forgive those who cause us to suffer.
At times we set our selves up to suffer. I firmly believe that the wisdom of the older generations can help us avoid some suffering. But. we live in a fallen world, with fallen people and we cannot shut ourselves away.
Our actions can cause others to suffer. We must think about our actions. Yet, it can just happen and we had no intention of causing someone to suffer.
The suffering in life is a part of us. It shapes us. If life lived well for God's glory is our focus; we do become more interesting, more intricate and we can have a depth of character and personality that draws others. Again, like a piece of the beautiful handiwork that sits on a flat surface. The string can be straight and boring, when worked it can become tangled. But, tenacity and patients in bending, looping and knotting the string will produce a fascinating piece of covering. Look at the knots, loops and twists. Amazing. The worker knows what went into that piece in order for it to look as it does. Our Heavenly Father also knows of every bump, painful twist, and knot in our lives and yet His work in us will be perfect.
As I have watched my children grow. I have seen heartache, rejection and just,"It is not fair." affect their lives. These things will not stop. These things are painfull. Yet, God is good.
We must not protect our family from suffering. We can not be protected from suffering. We must comfort one another at the time of suffering. Help them overcome the suffering and live on.
All things work to good for those who are called to His purpose.

In the midst of suffering, God will work it for good. Do we believe that God is in control? Or, do we believe that the trouble maker, Murphy, is in control? They both cannot be given space in our lives. One or the other.

The perfecting of the saints.

We are always being perfected by God. Let us be shaped, polished, bent and twisted by the gentle hands of love. Let us suffer well. We will be as pure vessels of silver and God will see His reflection when He looks at us. Remember, He too suffered.

To my children. I am so sorry for the heartaches you have suffered. You will have more. The physical pain and consequences have had big impacts on you lives. You will hurt again. I alsways wish to draw you into my arms, hug you close and take away the pain. I am only able to do some of those things. Life will never be fair. Keep going on. Lift you chins to the sky, gaze upon the heavens, and wait for the rain. The Holy Spirit is ready to rain on you.

Remember Joseph. He kept serving God and he kept having problems. A lot of them. Read his story in the book of Genesis. It is a true story you know.