Megan also served as the Director of Student Resources for David C Cook Publishers, where she led a team in creating TruIdentity, a spiritually forming, Christ-centered, and family empowered youth ministry curriculum. Several years ago, I had lunch with a man who had survived cancer. Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. As we come to this wonderful time in the Word of God together, I want to draw your attention back to the text of 2 Corinthians chapter 12. We should also expect to partake in suffering in order to show the world our teacher and our Savior. — Genesis 50:20 NKJV. He never suffered the death of His mother. And unlike Job’s friends that could not understand his pain, we need someone who has been where we are. Megan is currently teaching at Willow Creek Community Church and the Director of Women’s Ministries at Hume Lake Christian Camps. One of the most amazing aspects of Jesus is that He left heaven and came to Earth to be one of us, to share in our existence, including love and joy, pain and sorrow. The prophets had to learn and grow. “God uses suffering to strengthen our faith.” That was the quote of the day in Our Daily Bread, and isn’t it the truth? Megan Fate Marshman sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to discuss what the world gets wrong about “good” and how God’s definition can set us free from life’s heaviest burdens. Well today lets consider the Christian life, our expectations of it, and also trials, and how God uses them for good! Yes, the innocent suffer (see Job 1–2), but God can redeem that suffering. Every weekday, get RELEVANT's top five articles delivered to your inbox! She authored the books “Meant for Good” and “SelfLess,” and co-wrote the book, “7 Family Ministry Essentials,” with Dr. Michelle Anthony. Listen to the full episode of the podcast below! It is in that moment that we are at our lowest point that we need an anchor. But there were trials along the way. Start your weekdays with “RELEVANT Today”—a quick look at our five most trending articles. “Be still, and know that I am God. Sometimes the emotional or physical pain of suffering is prolonged. Romans 8:28. This is true not only for the Church as Paul states, but also for the unbeliever. Suffering is a result of the fall. No one could claim that Christ wasn’t afflicted. Joseph tied himself to the pillar of this promise and held on for dear life. Just like the difference between giving a child a new toy and making him work to earn it. But you probably learned by being burned. Colossians 1:24 says, “… I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the Church.” This was written by the Apostle Paul, and it is interesting that he states he is filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions. We need something to hold on to that will keep us from simply drifting away. In our times of pain and weakness, when we have exhausted ourselves through work and tears, when we have worried and screamed through our frustrations, when there is just nothing left of us, we turn to Him. Sometimes God uses pain to protect us from something worse happening to us - sometimes far worse. And bit by bit, He reveals Himself to us. We can try to ignore the pain and hope it all goes away or we can face it and let God … If God allowed His people to go through this life without suffering, then we could never be a source of hope to this world. God is in control. But in suffering God takes away the world so the heart will hold to him in full sincerity. 21. Suffering Prepares Us to Be the Bride of Christ. It’s someone who can look us in the eye and say, “It gets better,” and know that they know. 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