Victims of success or Victors in suffering

The sudden death of Whitney Houston shocked the music world. Her death brings to mind the recurring refrain in Ecclesiastes that the human pursuit of success and happiness is all meaningless - like chasing the wind. When we march to the drum beat of the world we will end up becoming the victims of our very successes.

The good news is that Jesus came to make us victors over suffering in this world. His betrayal, death on the cross, and his resurrection has conquered evil, suffering and death. Christ’s death on the cross redeems us from our sinful natures. And His life in us as we surrender our lives to His Lordship gives us hope and strength in the midst of the trials, tribulations and pain of our human lives. We become victors in suffering and suffering is transformed into a glorious testimony of the amazing grace of God.

When we live our lives as victims, we are full of complaints and excuses. Our lives are filled with problems and difficult people. On the other hand, we can choose to live our lives as victors by learning to give thanks in all circumstances. As we do so, we will see our problems and difficult people as opportunities to grow the fruit of the spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.

We do not have to prove our worth through success and wealth in this world. We are already successful and wealthy and even more important, we are the precious children of God when we accept the gospel truth that God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but will have eternal life (John3:16)

We can face and overcome suffering when the truth that life is not about us but the Christ who is in us takes root in our hearts. Only then can will the truth that everything works for good to those who love God be real in our lives.