Sometimes, when we pray, it's in stages.While others only
see where we are on the outside and want to pray for the end result, we may
recognize more, or have a prayer other than coming out of the pain. We may be
praying, “God use this to reach another person, let how I handle this situation
be a witness to them of your power and truth," rather than "God, please let this trial end." Others will encourage us to pray
for the end result, but there is SO much more to be had if we don’t focus on
getting out of the “bad” and being comfortable again.
My own thoughts about this come from my chemotherapy
experience. Going through chemo, so many people were praying for me to be
healed, however, while it was deeply appreciated, that was not my prayer. God
already promises that healing will come in eternity when we are made perfect
and there is not pain or weakness or sickness (Revelation 23); so, for me, healing
was a done deal and not the focus of my prayers. The focus of my prayers during that time in my life was on wanting God
to use the situation to reach others for his glory and bring others into his
Truth.
As followers of Christ, our salvation is already secured and
we should not be concerned about getting out of suffering. We are called to
suffer for the cause of Christ- it is the evidence that we are saved and they (unbelievers) will be destroyed when we boldly suffer (Philippians 1:27). If our souls are secure, our prayers
should focus on bringing others to the same state of security. Trust in God’s
promises and rest in them, but at the same time, don’t be so focused on the preservation of self
that you miss the opportunity to let your pain be another’s salvation.
What is
greater than such an honor?
