Worshiping in Suffering

The other day I was in a worship service and what should have been an awesome time with God turned into a miserable time of me complaining to God. We were packed in this room, our chairs were super close and my legs and hips were just killing me. Instead of enjoying my time with the Lord, I couldn't wait for it to be over. When it was over, I was feeling empty, feeling like I really missed out on something great.

The next day was another time of worship and I had situated myself to be more comfortable. I was really enjoying the moment and I heard God say "so you can worship me now that your comfortable, but you couldn't worship me when you were suffering?" ... OUCH. He was so right. In my minor suffering I was so consumed with me and what I was feeling, what I was going through that I didn't worship God.

Shortly after that 2 Corinthians 23-27 was read:

23 Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked

Now I don't mean to take Paul's words out of context or away from the point he was trying to make in the text. But what I saw in my head as I listened to this list of things that Paul suffered...was a picture of Paul praising and thanking God constantly through it all. Giving God glory no matter his circumstance.

I am so thankful for this lesson that the Lord so gracious shared with me. I'm thankful that He pointed out to me how no matter the circumstance I need to focus on Him. Brothers, we will face many trials, we will have to deal with suffering...some of us are going through a season of it now. I encourage you to be steadfast in the Lord, focus on Him and worship continually through it all. Don't waste your suffering, use it to come closer to the Lord.