On our unique individual spiritual journey, we may experience suffering, but we should not be discouraged by this, it is expected. Paul reminds us, “For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee” - 2 Cor. 5:1-5 (ESV). If we are faithful, we will prevail with help from the Spirit.
While difficult to understand, there appears to be a direct connection between the role of suffering and the workings of the Holy Spirit shaping and honing our character, Rom. 5:3-5. James and Peter agree with this concept, Jas. 1:2-4; 2 Pet. 1:5-8. These struggles and sufferings cause us to demonstrate our dependence on the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is available to help in our struggles, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words,” - Rom. 8 :26 (ESV). This reminds me of instances in which parents observe their child struggling to communicate a feeling and then look at each other with silent communication, remembering what the child is feeling because they have felt it, also. Jesus and the Holy Spirit have felt every feeling we have, and much more. Together, these two share these feelings directly with the Father. However we struggle or suffer, we must remember that we are children of God with an inheritance in another place; there is a great reception waiting for us when these earthly struggles are complete.
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