These three means (having a sense of empathy with others who are suffering, witnessing about how your faith has matured through your suffering, and praying for others) have increased and matured my faith, making me a more complete follower of Christ when going through my own personal crucible. But I am sure many of you can add to this list. And, like me, you count it pure joy that we have reason to exclaim: “Great is thy faithfulness oh God our father!”
I know I join with everyone else in praying that Jesus will come soon to end all suffering forever. I know you all can say Amen to that.
My prayer is that you too will be able to see in your life what was said about God’s goodness by the psalmist (David or Jeremiah) in Psalm 31, and respond like the anonymous author of Psalm 116 and Isaiah:
"19 How abundant are the good things
that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all,
on those who take refuge in you. Psalm 31:19
"12 What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me?
13 I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.
14 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people." Psalm 116:12-14
"I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord,
the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for me -yes, the many good things he has done for His people according to his compassion and many kindnesses." Isaiah 63:7
