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So, we're almost done with these promises and I hope they've been an encouragement to you, as sweet reminders of what God has graciously promised us. We sing a song at our church that kept ringing through my head when I read the chapters on suffering... at the moment, the title (and most the words) are escaping my memory. But the phrase that I don't think will ever leave my head (and especially because Ethan sings it all the time) is the ending phrase "And take heart, He will love you forever!"
Ryan, maybe if you read this and you know the title you can share. :)
My suffering will not last forever (2 Corinthians 4:17-18) "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
When it seems that we are constantly in the fire, repeatedly being "poured" from one jar to another, our emotions tell us this will go on forever. That is when we need to remind ourselves of the Truth: There will be an end to the process. It will not go on forever.
All suffering is purposeful and intentional. God has a specific objective in mind for our suffering. He knows exactly the intensity and the duration that are needed to fulfill His purposes. He will not allow our suffering to last any longer or to be any more severe than is necessary to accomplish His will. God has promised that one day "there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain..." (Revelation 21:4)
So, dear child of God, when your eyes are filled with tears and there seems to be no hope, take courage. Lift up your head, give thanks, endure, and know that it will not be long before your faith will be rewarded with the sigh of the One who has promised to be with you to the end.