When something unfortunate happens to you — something you did not expect— the first thought occurring in your mind is, “Why?”
It doesn’t take long for this question to become, “Why ME?”
Stuck in the grip of suffering, it is human to develop thoughts that drain your energy. It becomes nearly impossible for you to steer clear of sadness when suffering lurks around every turn.
Beyond the veils of endless smiles and happiness, you innately know everyone is suffering — fighting unfathomable battles and wiping their own tears. This is why seeking help from Jesus is the ultimate way to overcome our sadness and anxieties.
Putting her thoughts together, Lynette Costner has published a book that speaks to all, called “Sanctified Suffering.”
The author, Lynette Costner, is not an ordinary person. She is spiritually driven in her approach, motivating several people through the words she speaks and now writes.
She firmly believes in the thought, ‘Suffering is Preparational.’
You must now be wondering,
What role does suffering play in my life?
How is suffering preparational?
What does suffering have to prepare me for?
Costner’s book, “Sanctified Suffering,” has all your answers. Here, she pens the intricacies of grief, suffering, and salvation — in light of what truly matters: The Word of God, the Holy Bible.
Let’s have a brief look at what she has to say – with lines extracted from our favorite excerpts from her book!
‘He allows us to suffer.’
From a logical perspective, you must wonder, if Jesus loves us the most, then why does He let us suffer?
That’s the thing about God’s love — He allows us to suffer.
He is Almighty, the most powerful. It is because of His Divine Will that the world is running its course and you are living your life.
He is All-Wise. No human surpasses His wisdom. He knows the past, present, and future.
So, for him, suffering is important for those He loves.
According to Costner, Lord Jesus intends to prepare us for the long run. This way, we reap more rewards after undergoing the tests He poses.
‘The closer we get to Him, the more He expects from us.’
The journey to deepen your connection with Jesus is not a one-way street.
The moment you make the intention to become closer to Jesus, the closer He draws Himself to you. But this doesn’t happen as easily as it sounds.
Jesus knows what’s in your heart, so He expects you to go through certain situations that demand your effort. It’s a test of your perseverance and how far you are willing to go for Him.
‘We can’t ignore the noise of the world.’
This world is a dangerous place. Evil surrounds us, making whispers to lure the righteous to a darker path. Many fall prey to such noises, ending up deep in the realms of self-hate and nihilism — thinking that there is no purpose to life.
But the reality is quite different.
You see, the love of Jesus is unconditional. This suffering is nothing but a way to be prepared for the greater purpose of your existence.
Always remember, God did not create you without any reason. You are special to Him, as is every other human.
Ending Note
You live in this world, so make sure that you maintain a balance between what your body wants and what your soul wants. The walk with God is the best company you’d ever wish for.
The excerpts mentioned above do not do justice to the beautiful work that Lynette Costner has created.
Become as Jesus wants you to — only with Lynette Costner’s “Sanctified Suffering.”
Available on Amazon. Grab your copy now.
