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Some misunderstanding of the truth of God’s word and the character of God has led many to romanticise pain & suffering by God’s people. Embracing pain as if, for every minute of endurance, they get a higher point of reward either here on earth or in the world to come. This is the deception of the devil to limit Christians from enjoying all the benefits of the Eternal Life they have received through Christ Jesus. ​ The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]. John 10:10 AMP ​ Jesus came to destroy sin and everything that came as a result of sin, which includes – Sin, Death, Lack, Pain, etc. So these things don’t have a legal place in the life of a Christian. I understand that working out what we have received in Christ can take a while, and it requires some learning. While we are on the journey, we shouldn’t accept the current condition as designed by God for us to endure so we get some rewards. ​ For instance, if a minister of the Gospel dedicated to God suffers from an ailment – that ailment was not inflicted on the minister by God so that by enduring the pain, the minister gains more reward – there is no reward for bearing such pain. The minister should rather figure out how to receive healing and effect what Christ has already purchased with His blood. On the contrary, the pain will hinder the rewards the minister will get indirectly because physical deficiency will prevent them from being as productive as they should be. It is not God’s will for anyone to be sick or be in pain – He said this clearly. Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3 John 2 ​ God wants you well and healthy. You gain nothing special for doing the work of God in sickness. ​ Now this is not all about ‘prosperity gospel’ as some say. I know the life we have is beyond health and wealth, but it’s a part of it. Jesus was never reported to be sick or deficient in any part of his body. He was never hungry because of lack – He did whatever he needed to do. ​ Lack & poverty are not a system designed by God to bless His children with rewards. In other words, you don’t get rewarded for being poor. I am not saying you shouldn’t serve God if you are working your way out of poverty or sickness, but recognise it is not God’s will for you to be poor or sick. Instead of settling in it like it is God-sent, fight it. The same intolerance we have towards sin is what we should have towards sickness, pain, lack, and death; they are all from the Devil. ​ In the same vein, don’t feel bad or condemned when you have a lack or are sick; rather, be strengthened because there is hope for you. God made a plan for us. He gave us the name of Jesus. He paid our debts, was bruised for our iniquities, and the chastisement for our peace was upon Him; by His stripes we are healed. (Isa. 53:5) ​ But don’t accept pain. Don’t accept lack; it is not a part of your life. No matter how long it has lasted, fight till you win – because God gave you the victory already. Hallelujah. God is with you! Michael Adegoke |