Sometimes you have to tell folk, if the hell I’ve been through couldn’t defeat me; what makes you think you can! If disease didn’t break me, what gives you the power to think you can? If depression didn’t steal my joy, what makes you think you can? If folk leaving me didn’t destroy me, what makes you think you can? Tell them, I don’t mind you speaking on me but at least let it be truthful. I don’t mind you not liking me but let it be on something you know and not what you heard. Because when you persecute me, I’m blessed. When you torment me, I’m blessed in the process. When you try to scandalize my name, I’m blessed. For the bible tells me in Matthew 5:10, “God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” This is why you ought to get to a point in your natural life that you tell folk, suffering didn’t shatter me; in fact, my suffering saved me. Yea! Tell them, that pain I endured; it pushed me. That heartbreak, it helped me. That sickness, it strengthened me. Those lies, they lifted me. That betrayal, it blessed me. This divorce, it delivered me. Losing my job, it loosened me. That repossession, it released me. That addiction, it amended me.
Baby, we have to get like Paul and say like 2 Corinthians 12:9, “So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me,” for God says, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” Suffering isn’t final because it has to end just like everything else. Don’t get mad when folks try to use your suffering against you. Let them talk because afterwards you can say, yea, I’ve suffered but it saved me. How else would you have become sober if it wasn’t for that DUI? How else would you have been delivered from being a whoremonger, if you hadn’t suffered through the many relationships? How else would you have been delivered from drugs if you hadn’t hit rock bottom? How else could you clear your name, if folk had never tried to bring you to shame? How else could you survive if you’ve never suffered? How else could you had become stronger if you’ve never been weak? How else could you enjoy the light if you’ve never been in darkness? How else could you enjoy taking care of your finances if you’ve never been broke? Baby, folk will talk but don’t allow them to use your suffering against you, when your suffering has now gotten you to the place of surviving. For the bible tells me, if I suffer, I shall gain eternal life! Suffering isn’t in vain so stop being victimized by it! 1 Peter 5:10, “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, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” Suffering has a place but take comfort in knowing it comes with God’s amazing grace.
Lakisha, the Author 