Can suffering feel good?

There is suffering in this fallen world.  It is a given. Not only does mankind contribute to suffering, BUT where man's suffering might be put to an end, power and money seem to rule. We can't ask why God allows such suffering. But, as followers of Jesus, we can ask God how we need to respond.

God is always looking for ways to discipline us, to mold and shape us into Christlike children. He can use suffering as opportunity for us to learn from Him and to lean on Him. We can trust Him with the same confidence we have for the parent who properly disciplines their child. We should accept God’s discipline as a vital part of His love.  Think of what happens when a child is not disciplined, or better yet, imagine my dogs who take me on a walk instead of me leading them. I am to blame for my lack of training them.

Hebrews 12:4-11

Believe me, it’s no fun to be the one responsible for disciplining.  Witnessing a child suffer is painful. It's so unpleasant that we become "helicopter" or "bulldozer" parents protecting children from hardship to the point that our kids become fragile.

written by Nancy Gleeson

We need to see God's discipline as resulting in a harvest of righteousness and peace. When we are suffering, we must stop turning to false idols that can't bring us comfort and restoration. Knowing God's plan is to transform us through suffering, submit to Him, and endure suffering as His loving discipline.