The Weapon

suffering is a weapon
in the Kingdom of God
though darkness
boasts its terror to
crack our faith foundation
toppling trust's temple
into the quicksand of self-pity
ready to swallow-up
all who journey
Calvary's path...
impossible to avoid...
the evil one nevertheless
paints nightmares in
our imaginations
tempting us to live
surrounded with comfort cushions
to protect against hardship
avoid pain
be happy always
spitting out sorrow's
taste of bitterness
whatever the price
whatever the source
whatever the purpose
whether from the
selfish withholds of
committed love
sickness's surprise
financial ruin
nature's power
sin's rebellious destruction
self-infliction of addictions
ultimately death's
fierce inevitability
but the One who
bore our sin
carried our sorrows
healed our hearts
became our weakness
conquered death
offers His Life and

Ultimate Victory to us
for the asking...
suffering cannot be avoided
but it can be transformed
into a weapon to bring down
strongholds of darkness
change lives
heal wounds
calm fears
overcome barriers
bringing longsuffering

into transformations -

for ourselves... 

by molding us into an

'alter Christus' - one

like unto Christ - but only 

by Grace for it is

beyond our power alone

to be 'Holy' - Wholly 

Set Aside - to His Glory

for others...

by uniting our suffering with

Jesus on the Cross as an 

offering for those we love -

reformed by Grace into Grace -

a Weapon to Build the 

Kingdom of God and 

tear down the 

kingdom of the Enemy

Reflection / Discussion:

- Explain the Church's teaching on 'Redemptive Suffering'?

-Give an example in your own life.

-How does 'offering it up' help deal with suffering?

-Encourage others not to 'waste their suffering'  that is,

 simply 'getting through it' / 'putting up with it' or 

 complaining then, you will have the opportunity to 

 share with them this teaching which will transform 

 the way they look at suffering. It's transforming.