-----SUFFERING COMES FROM THE FREEDOM TO CHOOSE
Gen. 2:15-17
-----SUFFERING REVEALS WHAT IS IN OUR HEARTS
Matt. 13:1-9
-----SUFFERING GIVES OPPORTUNITY TO TRUST GOD
JAMES 1:2-5
-----GOD SUFFERS ALONG WITH US
JESUS WEPT
-----IN TIMES OF CRISIS, WE FIND ONE ANOTHER
2COR. 1:3-4
-----PAIN LOOSENS OUR GRIP ON LIFE
ECCL. 12:12
-----GOD CAN TURN SUFFERING AROUND FOR GOOD.
GEN 50:20
This is a biblical look at the reasons for suffering. It is not an attempt to answer all the questions. It is just looking at the subject from a biblical and not an emotional perspective; if that’s possible. I use this as a small group or a Sunday night bible study.
Suffering mianly happens because we are people of responsiblity. God has honored us my giving us a free will. This will has ability for great good or great harm. Like it or not we cause most of our own problems. The suffer the consquences of a free will.
God has the opportunity to show the true character of our hearts by allowing us to go through suffering. It is at these time that our faith is tested and the true belivers surface.
God is looking for one thing from us over all else; a walk of faith and trust. What better way to show our complete dependence on Him than to trust in the midst of hardship.
God knows our pain more than we can imagine. He allowed His son to die for us. The Bible never shows God as an uncaring Father but one who weeps for us over our hurt.
What better way to comfort one another that with the same comfort you received when you went through your trying time.
Our homeland is in heaven is what Paul told the Philippian church. A uncomfortable existence down here makes us lose our grip on the temporal and keep our eyes on the eternal.
God can be glorifed thru our suffering as the Bible shows in so many places.
