Page 60 - The Gate and the Way

There are times when it certainly feels like we are being tested beyond our ability to
bear. It is at such times that Yahweh stretches us, inducing us to force our roots deeper into
the life of Christ, to find a greater place of abiding in Him. We must be pressed to our limits
at times that we might grow stronger spiritually. Our Father will never permit us to face any
temptation, or experience of suffering, that is greater than our ability to patiently bear it if
we will avail ourselves of the grace made freely available to us. When Paul entreated
Yahweh to deliver him from the affliction he was suffering, the Father’s answer was “My
grace is sufficient for you.” Yahweh’s grace is always sufficient. Nothing can separate us
from His love.
There have been times recently when my soul was weary of dealing with bodily
affliction. At such times we are tempted to voice some complaint to God. We need to resist
the temptation to grumble, murmur, or find fault with what Yahweh chooses for us. Grace
is always present to enable us to rest in God and to trust Him in the time of suffering.
I have found it helpful to not allow my mind to dwell on the entirety of the experience
before me. It may be months before my body is healed from my present injury. The thought
of enduring week after week of bodily affliction can be overwhelming. At such times, the
words of Christ prove to be of great value.

Matthew 6:34
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own
things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

It is enough to live one day at a time. Yahweh’s grace is sufficient for each day, being
perfectly matched to those experiences of suffering He chooses for the perfecting of His
sons and daughters.
Before I end this chapter, a word needs to be shared concerning discerning the various
reasons for suffering. There are certainly times when Yahweh will remove an affliction if we
ask Him to. There are times when Yahweh would have us to stand against a demonic attack.
Additionally, some sickness comes in order to demonstrate the glory of God as He brings
supernatural healing. The people of God should always seek to know the Father’s mind
concerning those experiences they are passing through. It was well that Paul sought God
concerning his affliction. It was also good that Paul accepted the Father’s will when Yahweh
revealed the reason for the thorn in his flesh.
It is beyond the scope of this writing to discuss all the reasons afflictions come into the
life of a Christian, and to know when the suffering is to be resisted as an attack of the
adversary and when it is to be accepted as the will of God. Suffice it to say that the saint
should always seek to know the mind and will of the Father. Yahweh has given His Spirit
to indwell us that we might know His thoughts, and gain an understanding of His will.
A great deal of suffering comes into the life of the Christian due to their own
disobedience. I have suffered much in my life because of sin. I have been slow to subdue the
appetites of my flesh. In my body I have suffered ill health due to being overweight and
eating things that were not health promoting. The saint should always seek to discern
whether his/her experiences of suffering are due to some disobedience in their life. Only by
identifying the disobedience can repentance and healing come.
Some have gone too far down this path and have suggested that all sickness and injury
is the result of disobedience. Others respond to all sickness and injury as if it were an attack
of Satan and they immediately begin rebuking the devil. There are also those who are too