Suffering Turns to Glory — Basilea Schlink

Christian Discipleship and the Purpose of Suffering

God lives and works today. With Him, suffering is never the end. This is an exciting truth of Christian discipleship. But what does it really mean, and how can we apply it to our lives? The answer is in today's meditation by Basilia Schlenk called Suffering Turns to Glory.

Suffering as Training for a Hard Heart

One evening we were sitting in a small circle in our sisterhood. We were discussing the life of one of our friends who had recently been called home to God. She had not had an easy life. For many years she had had to live with a brother who, although he was a believer, did not understand the Lord's guidance for her life.

It was a difficult time for her. But she always said, I need this training. My brother is only the tool which God is using to work on my hard heart so that it will become filled with His mercy and forgiving love.

Learning Love Through Mistreatment

And she was right. Towards the end of her life she was taken to the hospital. Friends and relatives were horrified by the fact that the nurse in charge of her always spoke sharply with her, tried to annoy her, and treated her badly.

God, however, had achieved His purpose. The woman was quiet like a lamb. She never rebuked the nurse and was always friendly to her. Then our friend died. And for what were we the most thankful? That God had led her on these ways of chastening.

Through them she had learned how to love. This woman, however, had been transformed into the image of Jesus through problems with her brother because she had accepted them as coming from God's hand. Her sufferings had brought her unspeakable glory for eternity.

Renouncing the Desire to Escape Suffering

Then we all agreed. We want to renounce every thought like, I wish I could escape from this suffering. Or, if only this difficult time were over. For in eternity there is a different cry which will echo forever.

It is, alas! It is the lament of all those who could not inherit their heavenly glory because they did not want to follow Jesus on the way of the cross. They did not want to endure times of suffering here on earth.

Enduring Suffering in the Light of Eternity

If we endure patiently now, one day we will be thankful for all our suffering for it will have brought us glory with Jesus for all eternity. Yes, if you live in the sight of eternity, every suffering will seem small to you.

For out of every burden and difficulty which God sends you, you will gain a rich reward and one day you will be able to dwell with our Lord Jesus at the throne of God. Therefore, begin now to thank God for every time of suffering in your life and look beyond these times to the end, the great glory which they will bring.

For these times will bring you abundant fruit even here on earth. Let us pray. Today, 9849 North 40th Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85028 -4099. God bless you.