Suffer-How much should we endure? what kind of suffering are we to endure?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Patricia Violet Joy on October 27, 2010 at 9:32am

It has to be remembered there are two different types of suffering, physical, which is what we think of mostly and mental. The physical suffering is well recorded in the Bible and many other books written about the martyrs. They show us that we can endure ANYTHING that is thrown at us, even suffering unto death. Mental abuse is different in that it can persuade the person that they are stupid, big headed etc (YOU doing God's work, don't make me laugh. etc). When we get this type of abuse we have to pray about it, 'Is this what you really want me to do?' 'Please show me Lord if I am doing this right. Am I really doing what you want?' We then have to listen to what HE says, not what other people say. We will get spoken down to, we will get people telling us we can't do it. The important thing is to stop and listen to what God says, not people. With Him we can do anything.

Permalink Reply by Debbie K Cloe on November 2, 2010 at 10:19am

I agree Patricia, also i have endure much in my life time. I have 5 wonderful kids and by the grace of God they are all doing well. I have suffered different kinds of abuses for example (rape twice, domestic violence, greedy family, lost of 6 family members, etc.) Just to name a few. Now i am learning to cope with COPD. I know that i'm not a bad person; therefore i wondered how much suffering we must endure?

Permalink Reply by Patricia Violet Joy on November 3, 2010 at 12:28pm

TTL I have never had to suffer the types of abuse you have, but I do know a few people who have. Several of them have started working with abused adults, children or families after a bit of training. Sometimes God gives us problems that he knows we can overcome, knowing that years later we can help others. We work with disadvantaged children in Ukriane. Sometimes people say, how do you know what I feel, you can't. Ah but we can, we were both out of work at the same time for several years so we know what it's like going without. Len is a reformed alcoholic so again if alcoholic parents say, you don't know how difficult it is, Len can again say, yes I do. God often lets us have difficulties and problems so that many years later we can help others with the same problems.

Permalink Reply by Debbie K Cloe on November 3, 2010 at 12:51pm

Patricia, Maybe you are right. But i have a big heart and tender feelings. I cry easy, just like my grandmother. I would not know where to obtain training to help others. I tried to get the LCDC but the memories of my ex's treatment, i kind of burn myself out. I'm not sure where i would be most useful. I would have to pray for God to guide me.

Permalink Reply by Patricia Violet Joy on November 3, 2010 at 3:01pm

It won't necessarily be now. Len was an alcoholic 40 years ago, we were both dirt poor when we were out of work at the same time. it was many years later that we came here, at least 15. When He decides you can take it He will give you the means and the strength. We've been here over seven years now, if you had said we'd be doing this eight years ago we both would have said you were mad. Now we couldn't imagine doing anything else. We have friends who laugh as we sometimes say that they opened a new grave yard just up the road to us in the village and we've already picked out our plot.

Permalink Reply by Gus Angel Armstrong on December 8, 2010 at 5:42pm

What I can say is physical suffering is from people who believe that we are still in flesh and anything that we do still need some things to learn about the things that we haven't really think about the things in general. And when we are in spirit we are not being worried about our sorroundings and to be abble to do thinks that we are in a spirit,