The Pathway to Transformation
Unraveling Suffering in Process
You have done everything you know to do. You have believed that you will be healed. You have prayed and hoped but the answers delay. Some things cannot be rushed. If we knew what God was doing or going to do through us or for us, we might jump ahead and miss it altogether, because the end is the result of the between. Transformation is a process; it does not always feel good and does not happen overnight and it is often accompanied with suffering.
In our lack of understanding, we often tangle up suffering with shame and fear. Believing we are being punished for something we did bad and ultimately fear of it leading to death. Shame and fear cause us to try to stop or hide suffering or to numb the pain as quick as possible. When we do this, we often miss what is really going on; the root issue. Process and suffering are more than a battle to be expedited, conquered or avoided. It isn’t necessarily even bad. Precious beauties, attributes and great accomplishments come from pressure, heat, endurance and what we might refer to as pain and suffering.
In our lack of understanding, we often tangle up suffering with shame and fear. Believing we are being punished for something we did bad. Fear can be all consuming, afraid to speak our greatest fear as if speaking them out loud will make it so. Shame and fear cause us to try to stop or hide suffering or to numb the pain as quick as possible. When we do this, we often miss what is really going on; the root issue. Isolation and silence can exacerbate a problem. We are created to thrive within community. Sharing our fears and concerns can shift perspective disempowering a sense of defeat. Process and suffering are more than a battle to be expedited, conquered or avoided. It isn’t necessarily even bad. Precious beauties, attributes and great accomplishments come from pressure, heat, endurance and what we might refer to as pain and suffering.
In this world we do have tribulation, sorrow and pain. Let me be clear, although suffering is part of transformation in creation and in the human spirit, I do not believe that sickness, premature death and much of the suffering in this earth is the will of God. There is suffering that is pure evil, suffering that is from foolish behavior and there is other unexplained suffering. This is not original design or destiny. We are in a real battle over our destiny and identity. Is the earth in a perpetual purging, as well, as it moves towards it's prophesied state of no more sorrow and no more pain; no more darkness, only the light of day? Are we together in birth pangs pressing through towards total reconciliation and transformation until the day we will shine forth our glorious, eternal beingness? It is true, we shall reflect the One in whose image we were created and the earth will be filled with His glory.
The Bible doesn't shy away from suffering. Peter says, Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. This leads to the verse in the picture below: "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image, from glory to glory." The book of James says, "Let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting or lacking nothing." 2 Corinthians 4:17 says, for our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
Even Christ learned obedience through suffering. He is referred to as the suffering servant and one well acquainted with grief. He is near the brokenhearted because He experienced the pain of brokenness, betrayal and physical torment and He has overcome for us. Through Christ we are more than conquerors. What He accomplished through suffering made a way for humanity to enter into this metamorphosis process of becoming free from the entanglements and enter into abundant life, abiding love and union with God. Jesus took upon Himself all of our infirmities, that we might be healed. He took on our shame and the whole genealogy of human sin and iniquity to cleanse us and set us free. Our wholeness, divine purpose and supernatural overcoming power started right there at the cross, but we are still in process of working out what Christ began and He is faithful to complete that what He began. He is the author and the finisher of our faith. Suffering can be an invitation into intimacy with God and deeper understanding of mysteries. Let us press into know Him. He is near and He wants to walk with us, talk with us and be closer than a brother to us. He will instruct us and leads us to the resources and the people we need in every season.
If you are in a suffering season, I pray that you find strength today. I pray that the keys for your breakthrough show up soon. Healing comes in many ways and layers. We believe in natural medicine and that there are many powerful things put in the earth to help our bodies, minds and spirits heal We have been grateful for western medicine in dire situations. My greatest healing has come through emotional and spiritual healing. None of these carry the DNA of a miracle as a standalone. There is One who does and His name is Jesus. This is why our mission has always been to be the bridge between natural medicine and faith.
My family and I have been in the waiting for some big miracles; some for a couple years and one for over 16 years, but we believe that we will see them here in the land of the living. I have lived personal miracles and witnessed them; not the big physical miracles yet, but I believe the promises and I am sure contending for them, because I know they happen! Elizabeth, our RN coach, just returned from a trip to Brazil with Randy Clark’s healing ministry. She witnessed numerous miracles first hand. Their team saw 7 blind received sight, 10 lame people walk again, tumors disappear, huge numbers of emotional healing and salvations. Keep holding on to hope for your miracle.
I do not know the suffering you are enduring, I do not fully understand why, but I know this; you are loved beyond measure. You are not suffering because you are bad or being punished. You are in a real battle. You are in process. Lift up your eyes and behold the One who chose you. He has overcome. He has overcoming strength for you. He is near. You are not forgotten or forsaken. These battles feel long and hard, but you will breakthrough, you will overcome! Everyone’s break though is unique. Your big miracle or breakthrough may come after walking through a series of small break through and miracles, it may come as you receive instructions and follow them, it may come as you make a connection with the right protocol, person or clinic or it may come as just a pure surprise. Keep believing and pressing in and don’t try to do it alone. Hold on to hope and don't let go! You come forth shining in eternal glory and that, precious one, does not happen overnight!
I leave you with Psalms 63 TPT “I stand silently to listen for the one I love, waiting as long as it takes for the Lord to resue me. For God alone has become my Savior. He alone is my safe place; his wraparound presence always protects me. For he is my champion defender; there is no risk of failure with God. So why would I let worry paralyze me, even when troubles multiply around me? … God’s glory is all around me! His wraparound presence is all I need, for the Lord is my Savior, my hero, and my life-giving strength. Trust only in God in every moment! Tell him all your troubles and pour out your heart-longing to him. Believe me when I tell you-he will help you!”
Richelle