“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
-1 Peter 5:10

It seems unfair to say to you that God’s going to mature you through your suffering.

Please know that God is not making you suffer in order that you mature. God hates suffering! That’s why he sent Christ. That’s why he directs the Church to fight the suffering of the world. And, God will turn what was meant for evil into good. He will. That’s what he does. That’s the kind of God we serve.

There’s something about those of us who have suffered, or if you know someone who’s gone through suffering, especially if they’re believers. People who have suffered somehow, I don’t know why, tend to be more authentic in their love, deeper in their reflection, slower in their actions, gentler. That’s not always the rule, but there’s something authentic about someone who has suffered, especially one who has suffered with the life of God inside of them.

PRAYER: Lord, please never stop at healing wounded and suffering hearts. You have healed me so many times and I trust you and love you forever. Amen.

REFLECTION: How have you matured through your suffering?