To the Ends of the Earth: Legacy – Week 1, Day 3 – God Directs All Things for Good
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So we do not lose heart. Though our outer man is wasting away, our inner man is being renewed every day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, because we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Suffering, though not part of God’s original plan for us, can be a part of his pruning process. If we are open to his work, even when it hurts, it allows us to become stronger and more resolute in our commitment to serve God. As we hold fast to our faith and journey through the pain toward peace, we become better versions of ourselves.
God did not cause or desire suffering to enter into the world. That is the result of Adam’s sin. But God in his omnipotence can bring great good out of our sufferings, if we allow him. God provided the remedy for our sin and suffering by sending his Son Jesus to be the propitiation for our iniquity. As Jesus offered his life to the Father for us, he opened the way of salvation for all. Though there is still suffering in our world, we can have courage in our afflictions because we know that Jesus has overcome the world (Jn 16:33) and gives purpose to any sufferings we unite with his.
Growing into men of character by accepting our sufferings gives us the hope we need to stand for Jesus before our families, our Church, and our world. As we yield to the pruning process of the Divine Gardener, we allow the love of Christ to flow through our lives, producing the fruit of perfection. Following our Lord’s command to take up our cross and follow him, bearing our sufferings in his name, we become better able to reflect his Gospel to the world.
Questions for Reflection
How might God be pruning you through the sufferings you’re currently experiencing? How has God used your sufferings in the past to prune and purify you?
What has suffering taught you and how has it made you a stronger man?
Are any of your brothers suffering right now? How can you use your experience of suffering to bring hope to another man today?
Praying with Scripture
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, and strengthen you. (1 Pet 5:10)
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Mark C. McCann is an author and Ministry Consultant with more than 30 years of writing and ministry experience. He has published articles for a number of Catholic magazines and websites including St. Anthony Messenger, Emmanuel Magazine, Liguorian Magazine, Catholic Stand, the Connecticut Catholic Men's Conference, and Homiletic and Pastoral Review. He recently published the 4-volume Catholic men's devotional, To the Ends of the Earth, as well as the 2021 Advent Daybreaks devotional and 2022 Lenten Daybreaks devotional with Liguori Publishing. He has also released his End Times novel series, Jacob's Dream: The Vision and Jacob's Dream: The Final Battle. He was a radio host and producer for 8 years at a Connecticut Christian radio station and has worked as a Catholic religion teacher/campus minister and a parish youth minister. He has also served the Norwich, CT Diocese as a Youth Ministry Director and Family Life Director. He currently lives in Connecticut with his Proverbs 31 wife, where together they have brought up three incredible children. He strives each day to live out his call to be a man of words. You can learn more about Mark and his writing at www.wordsnvisions.com.
