Hard-to-Hear Truth Charles Swindoll
Suffering is a delicate subject . It ’ s not easy to address because I realize that you may have dwelled in a depth of suffering I ’ ve never known . Yes , my family and I have had our bouts with both “ come and go ” and “ come and stay ” challenges . Chronic neck pain , migraines , eye problems — the typical things we deal with as we overripen in these frail bodies of flesh and bone .
But in no way do I want to give the impression that I ’ m a model of how to go through suffering . To be honest with you , I fail in my responses to adversity as much as anybody . It ’ s a lot easier to preach on it or write about it than to live it consistently . Along with the pity parties I throw for myself once in a while , my heart is occasionally broken , and my spirit sometimes takes a tumble .
Now , I ’ m admitting all this because I know you ’ ll probably say that ’ s your experience too . Few people would have stopped at Paul ’ s three desperate pleas to God for relief from his chronic condition . Let ’ s be honest . When it becomes clear God is not going to take our suffering away , we lower our gaze from Him and instead spill our guts to people around us .
So , let me put my pastor ’ s badge on again and preach a hard word we all need to hear — including me . It ’ s a difficult word to hear . In fact , it ’ s even tough to say . But it ’ s true . What is that word ?
We need to quit complaining about our pain .
We need to stop begging over and over for relief . God has heard your prayers . He knows your desires . If He wants to pluck that thorn from your flesh , He ’ ll do it .
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