“My Polished Life”

“We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:3-4

Notice what Paul says here about suffering, "we also glory in tribulation." The bible says, "but we also rejoice in our sufferings." Or "We also brag when we are suffering."So, Paul is saying, "We rejoice in the problems and pressures of life." Does that sound strange to you? Who is the Who or we? It's those who have been justified by faith - Christians! Who is the "we" that has access by faith into grace? Again, it is Christians. So, who is the "we" in verse 3? Take a guess? Yes, you're right, it's Christians. Some have tried to interpret this, "We rejoice in the midst of suffering." That is, we rejoice in spite of our suffering. But it does not mean that we rejoice in spite of our suffering. Paul is saying, "We rejoice because of our suffering."

It is through the trials of life that we mature in Christian character? Hum 

Do suffering and trials always cause a believer to mature, character and hope? Could suffering and trials have a negative effect on Christians? Sure, they could. Again, the “we” is who Paul is writing to telling them/us to have perseverance, hope and with good character be constantly watching out let there be found in them an evil heart of unbelief. Listen, believers could it be, we ALL have the potential to doubt God, the capacity to unbelief? Have you ever doubted God? Be honest. 

Usually at bible class, I ask a lot of questions because I feel they challenge us and are important. They have always helped me grow in faith. Some questions are important to share because I suspect that many of us have this same one. 

Every person has problems. There is not one person in this earthly world that is problem free. Everyone faces struggles and difficulties in life. Since that is true, understanding what the Bible has to say about suffering is a very practical issue. 

During these times of hard aches, one can’t help but conjure images of the steadfast, the eternal, and the permanence while considering these powerful, but familiar words, stones and rocks; especially, you see in church, I am reminded, as I belt out “On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand” joyfully proclaiming the solidarity of our God through a reliable God. 

Once, I picked up two stones while walking near the Ocean on the beach, one that has rough and jagged edges and one that is smooth and rounded; each has a course of difference I mulled over. Do you know why there is such a difference between the two?

The rough stone has had a smooth and easy life. It has simply lain around soaking up the sunshine and generally taking life quite easy. Nothing has really bothered it. 

The smooth stone, on the other hand, has had a rough time of it. It comes from the water’s edge where it has been pushed back and forth, tumbled and ground against other stones. Sand has swirled against it, propelled by the force of mighty waves and currents. All of this pushing, shoving, and grinding has rubbed off its rough edges and made it smooth. Do you ever feel like this rock? Do you feel like you are pushed around and bumped up against difficulties? I think all of us do at some time. 

So, I have a question:

Does reacting positively to the tough experiences in life polish us, making us better people?

 I often come in contact with people who articulate a separation (or no connection) from God after grief, pain, complacency, hardness, and bitterness that wreak havoc in their lives. It seems to me to be an epic battle that rages within their hearts, while at the same time they are looking for ways of softness to re-engage with God again.I would wonder, “How do we come back after we've hit the wall in our spiritual journey”? How as a child of God called to serve, help them in their struggles with the Great Commission in mind?

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen”. Matthew 28:18-20

Disciple making includes what we are like when we react to the unplanned big curriculum of life as it comes at us day and night without warning. The process we call “making disciples” includes evangelism and is done by disciples to make other disciples. Does that process include just about everything we do in relation to people around us? Some elements of the process are planned; some we learn from our training. But as a whole, most are unplanned and are manifested in our character.

This is where I often ask the question how do we …. Do this in a simple KISS way? 

 “by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit”. Titus 3:5

If you ask Jesus to be with you always and to make you strong, you will learn lessons from your troubles and become a better person. If someone has lied to you, you can learn how to forgive that person through prayer. Losing a game or a business deal can show you it’s only a game within life and that losers are also good people. A bad grade in school or experience can teach you to work harder next time or not to be so proud during times of good times you usually get that you may rub it in to others who didn’t do so well.

Bad experiences in life can help us become better people, to become more like Jesus. The next time you have a problem, think about this smooth stone and how, with God’s help, your trouble can “polish” you into a better, more Christ-like person.

 “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 

2 Corinthians 5:17

God Bless You and This Ministry!