The Way of Blessing, the Way of Suffering

Deuteronomy 8:2-3, NIV
2 Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.
3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.
?

Ever since Adam and Eve were driven out of the Garden of Eden, humankind has been living with constant suffering. A woman with deep faith gave a testimony about her suffering. She said that after she had gone through suffering, she became more humble, prayed more, and became dependent on God.
?
? The road of blessing, the road of suffering.

1. The suffering and blessings that Joseph experienced (Ge 50:20; Ac 7:9-10).

2. The land flowing with milk and honey on the other side of the wilderness
(Dt 8:2-3, 15-16).

3. Goliath as a thorn for David’s success (1Sa 17:45-47).

4. Jesus’ Cross and salvation (Php 2:6-11).

5. The fruit of suffering.
1) It makes us humble (1Co 15:10; 1Pe 5:6).
2) It makes us obedient to God and makes us pray more
(Heb 5:8-9; Jas 5:13; Ps 50:15).
3) It makes the world and the devil go away (1Pe 5:9-10).
4) It helps us manage our blessings (Dt 8:17-18; Ps 119:71).

Only those who have experienced suffering know what suffering is. When we preach about suffering, we make it sound romantic, but actually, no one wants to suffer. However, if we are already going through suffering, we might as well endure it, and be steadfast in adversity with understanding and courage.