Gò0dNews for Everyone
Suffering Soldiers
I
by Cheryl King
n the Bible it says that Jesus returns with an army riding
Suffering can make us a victim who wallows in the
on white horses, but that doesn't mean He hasn't an army
"Woe is me" camp, or suffering can make us a soldier.
of soldiers here right now.
Victims who wallow cannot inspire or give hope to others
This army, I believe, is His suffering soldiers. He
recruits this army from those who have suffered in the past and from those who are suffering everyday and can still say,
who suffer. Before you can show others God's grace, mercy, and hope, you must embrace it yourself. We cannot become His soldiers until we release all
"God is good. He is faithful and loving. He gives me hope
bitterness over our sufferings. Freedom only comes through
and a future."
forgiving our transgressors, whoever or whatever that may be, and forgiving ourselves. Forgiveness and accepting what we cannot change is hard, but never impossible. The hard things we are called to do in life are the very things that mature us in our faith and make us better soldiers for Him. The enemy has stolen enough from us, has had too many victories. He has used others to hurt us, used illness to try and kill us, but we still have breath in these bodies. We can still rise up and fight. Our sword is the hope we offer another who suffers. It cuts through despair, guilt, anger, and pain. Hope defeats the enemy. Jesus, the greatest suffering soldier that ever lived, gave us His example to
Some of these recruited soldiers have been victims
live by. By His death and resurrection He bought us victory
of childhood abuses, often going on to make bad life
over all kinds of suffering and gave us an eternal hope.
choices that result in even more suffering and guilt. Many
Finding hope in suffering makes us one with Christ; it is
soldiers have suffered from neglect, been wounded,
taking up our own cross and following Him.
rejected, or have lost someone or something they have
It is impossible to love God fully and enjoy Him forever
loved. Some soldiers suffer from physical ailments daily.
without embracing hope. Once we are filled the desire to
They wake up in excruciating, never ending pain, and
share it with others should grow in us. When we give the
rarely leave their beds. The doctors tell them, "No cure,
gift of hope to someone else, we have helped in creating
no hope!" Unless the Lord heals them all they see ahead
another suffering soldier for God's army.
for their future is more suffering. suffered and you have scars, but there are no scars that the scars of Christ cannot heal.
50 // April 2020
About The Author
Suffice it to say, if you live in this fallen world you have Cheryl King is a homemaker, wife, mom, and grandmother. She has enjoyed writing since she was a child and especially loves to inspire others into a deeper walk with the Lord.
