Microwaved Christianity or Popcorn blessings?

God, I need this now!

Not a second or another minute, like Smokie, rightfully said. I want tomorrow today and yesterday tomorrow. I said that I yielded to your call, so I needed to say the word or press the button. I pay my tithes or half of my tithes, so I should not be in want nor need. Where are the golden streets that you told me I'd travel on?

Now that I have your attention and got you thinking. Does this sound like you or someone you know? Wait, let me interrupt your thinking and unveil the reality; being a Christian does not omit suffering. There’s no premium package that you can subscribe to that will make the walk any less tedious or put you in a bubble that deems you as untouchable. Remember the fruit of the spirit? love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and good old self-control. Remember that one attribute that we never want to mention or even glance at?

The general comprehension of suffering is but the tip of the iceberg. However, as my Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer would say, "Let's go to the deep end of the pool." Put some lens on and let us look at suffering through our exegetical Vison. According to Pastor Helen Ann Brown, Suffering is a central motive of our faith. Essentially it is inevitable that we go through a period of suffering. While it can be assumed that suffering is solely attributed to the fall of man in [Genesis 3-16-19], suffering goes beyond that. God is the most remarkable example of suffering. It is through His suffering that we gained redemption. It is through His suffering that we learn to love.

Pregnancy is viewed by the general populus as a beautiful thing. Two people fall in love or connect emotionally, producing a bundle of love but taking a moment to introspect the birthing process. The mother goes through 36-40 weeks, where her body goes through changes that result in aches and pain periodically. Morning sickness or back pains are but a fragment of the pain. Fast-forward to delivery. The mother must endure significant pain. Although pain medications are designed to eliminate or ease the pain, there is no escaping pain. While pain may subside momentarily, it does not eliminate pain. Labor comes with pain irrespective of the duration. Amidst the pain, a mother finds joy as she gives birth to an innocent being, which usually brings joy to the family or the world at large.

Suffering was critical to the delivery of that precious gift. The result is celebratory but do not ignore or forget the process leading up to that. Let us not have spiritual amnesia and start to lament idly asking. “How could a good God allow bad things to happen to me?" Remember, the greatest model of suffering is God. He was bruised for our iniquities, wounded for our transgressions, and left on a cross to die. Even then, he loved us enough to care and provide for us. The same ones who cheered for him to be crucified, the ones who mocked and scorned him, the ones who nailed him on a cross and not to forget the one who sat at his table, proclaimed the deepest love for him but sold him for 30 pieces of silver.

Suffering is but the threshold of a perpetual living. Yes, the labor pains might leave scars. Yes, there will be moments when the tough gets more brutal, and we wonder when it will end? In the long run, there is a lesson being taught. We are tired of the suffering and of hard times, but have we grasped the lesson from phase one to level up to phase two? How many times must God tell you to leave that toxic relationship? How many times must he save you from the sinkhole, and we deliberately walk back into it? 30 seconds of romantical charade is good but is it worth persistent disobedience?

We were born in the inevitability of suffering because the root is the war between God and the devil. Suffering serves as a form of redirection. Suffering does not discriminate. Suffering is not above our paygrades and will weave its way into a mansion, under a bridge, or in the highest building. It might look different, but the root is always the same.

In most cases, suffering draws us closer to God. The pruning stage is never easy. Like any Broadway show, movie, or stage play, the rehearsal phase is where most of the suffering occurs. It is the place to make all the wrong right and where new road maps are drafted to enhance the production.

When things are flourishing, we tend to forget that suffering exists. Because you are not suffering does not mean that someone else is not or you have missed the boat. A certain anointing exudes from your pores when pressure is applied. When pressure is applied, strength is found in the least expected places.

Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction. For My own sake, for My own sake, I do it, for how should My name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another. [Isaiah 48:10-11 ESV]

When God moves, it is not for man to get the glory. It is for his name to be glorified even in the most challenging times. When the trust tank is on F, it is innate that there is a certain level of vulnerability. However, in the instance of faith, we need to demonstrate that which we often preach in the pews or in the pulpit. The same God that did it for Daniel is the same God that will do it for you in your moment of suffering. Trust God's heart when we cannot feel a pulse, trust his voice to lead you when the silence is deafening, trust his hands to hold you when the love you held on to left you for dead. Because you suffer does not mean that God loves you any less. The length or depth of your suffering does not determine the outcome.

After you have suffered a while, get to the point where you learn to suffer well. Suffering is but for a moment. Rest your head upon his breast. Rest your weary heads in his lap. When things get complicated, remember that His grace is sufficient. Remember, there is never a moment when he does not know the outcome before we can identify the problem. Let God’s grace marinate the bones of your suffering. Let his word wash beyond the surface of your ailments. Though you cannot see it in the moment, remember his promises are yes and amen.

Additionally, there is grace amid your uncertainty. You serve a God who serves a four-course meal in his time. It will not be like a Kraft Mac & Cheese but more, so a table spread at Ruth’s Crisp Stake house or a fine dining restaurant. So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside, it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times; the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever. [ 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 MSG]

Sufferings are growth pains. God loves us enough to prune us. Willingly or unwillingly, the motive is for growth. We use our sufferings to grow the body of Christ by sharing with a brother or sister through their moments of suffering. Your circumstances are not unique to you; there is someone who has undergone something similar. As a result, learn from the growth pains and grow the kingdom. Run with endurance that grace may abound. Sun the microwave Christian mentality and patiently wait on the blessings as his promises are sure and there is no way around suffering. After you have suffered a little while, suffer well!