2 Samuel 16:7-8 As he cursed, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you murderer, you scoundrel! The Lord has repaid you for all the blood you shed in the household of Saul, in whose place you have reigned. The Lord has given the kingdom into the hands of your son Absalom. You have come to ruin because you are a murderer!”
“Pain writes the words, sorrow wields the pen, tears wet the paper, and the story mends the heart.” — Piper Payne.
Pain never comes alone; it brings his other siblings such as sorrow, slander and suffering along. Insults, betrayal, guilt, shame, stigma can sting us with emotional agony and despondency. Don’t ignore pain or numb it with drinks, smokes or drugs. To be strong does not mean to pretend that we don’t feel pain. The strongest people are those who recognize pain and learn pain management through the excruciating suffering. The strongest people are those whose pain threshold is very high – both physically and emotionally. If we get everything easy, we will never develop empathy or become emotionally pliable!
King David was assaulted from all directions at the same time. His own blood rebelled against him. David’s son Absalom mustered a mob and attacked Jerusalem. David fled for his life with bear feet and a broken heart into the wilderness. But David continued up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went; his head was covered and he was barefoot (2 Samuel 15:30). Covered head and bare feet were signs of mourning. When he approached ‘Bahurim’ which was on the way to Jordan Valley, Shimei, a relative from the clan of Saul, a slandering snake, confronted him and yelled abusive curses at King David. He called him a scoundrel and a murderer. The disheartened king refused to react or retaliate. He surrendered himself into the hands of the Lord for the suffering to cut and carve him into the man after God’s own heart.
We cannot dodge the bullet of suffering, yet when we go through affliction it is important to learn valuable lessons through the sorrow that will make us better, bolder and brighter in God’s kingdom.
Suffering bolsters Resolute Resilience:
1. Dejected: People whom we have loved and served will turn around and betray, judge and backstab; don’t be dejected and depressed. Unconditional love is developed in the pit of betrayal.
2. Dethroned: Envious people will try to dethrone, devalue and demote you; don’t give up. God has a superior and esteem crown waiting for you. Unassuming kindness is nurtured in malicious circumstances.
3. Demeaned: Arrogant people will slander, ridicule and demean you, don’t be disheartened. The manure that stinks makes a plant more fruitful and healthy and so does slander. Extend undeserving forgiveness and turn the reeking manure into rewarding nourishment to the soul.
Sorrow is inevitable and affliction is unavoidable but don’t waste the suffering; develop resolute resilience. Invite the Saviour to change the malign into a message and the dung into a nutritious diet to the soul.
Psalms 119:71 It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.
Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, teach me to wade through the suffering and teach me to love unconditionally, forgive limitlessly and extend unassuming kindness. Amen.
Leave a Reply