Tana Gabriel knows what it is to be strong. She's lived a fitness lifestyle for years. Tana has also been a former spokes model and fitness competitor.
But Tana also knows what it means to suffer. Suffering on a level as she describes it that was, "a slap in the face." Suffering is tough - real tough for everyone. And naturally suffering leads all of us to ask lots of questions. Perhaps the single biggest question we ask is, "Why? God, what are you doing?"
Physical pain can be tremendous. The tears can flow. When so much comes at you it can be hard to understand that SUFFERING is part of life AND that God defines and discusses suffering throughout the Bible.
A lot of times people are desperate for and obsessed with positivity. But God produces virtue through our trials. In fact a God perspective of suffering actually includes JOY.
SAY WHAT?
For years as a fitness model and fitness expert, Tana shared her knowledge of health and strength. She says a switch flipped when her sufferings came. It enabled her to be able to share on a new and authentic level - a level that helps draw people to the strength of God.
She's gained a greater understanding of suffering and she describes three ways that God gave her a better perspective on suffering. Watch the video of her discussing suffering with Faith & Fitness Magazine Publisher Brad Bloom as they walked at Red Rock Canyon, Nevada.
If God's such a good God then why do we suffer? In this video Tana Gabrielle shares insights about suffering. WATCH THIS VIDEO NOW:
Here is a recap of the three kinds of power that you can have in God in the midst of suffering:
To suffer purely means to be transparent and not white wash your emotions with others or Him. When we lament we show the deepest and rawest emotions. Tana's discovered that it's OK to be angry with God. She says, "He can handle it." Authenticity draws people to God.
Real relationship with God is built in prayer. The Bible invites you to come before God boldly through prayer. Here is the thing to understand: God's timing, as Tana says, is in the eternal now. Physical health isn't the only health God wants for you. He wants a deeper spiritual healing in your life. That involves being honest with yourself and with God. Suffering can strip away the things that keep us from being conformed to the image of God.
In God's economy, suffering always has a purpose. Everyone tries to find meaning in their suffering. In God you can embrace the promise that God works all things going on in your life for good. That purpose will reveal to you a greater understanding of His sovereignty.That's an extreme power and strength to do bring about divine and magnificent outcomes.
