“Though poor in this world’s goods, though grieving the loss of loved ones, though suffering pain of body, though harassed by sin and Satan, though hated and persecuted by worldlings, whatever be the case and lot of the Christian, it is both his privilege and duty to rejoice in the Lord”. – A. W. Pink
There is suffering in this world. It may come from our own wrong choices in life or from the hands of other people. It can be a direct assault by Satan and his demons. There are tyrannical governments that oppress people and economic situations that cause great suffering and hardship. Our hearts ache when we see others suffering from disease, financial hardship, emotional and relational difficulties. We live in a world full of sin and calamities of all kinds. In suffering, we must remember to stay on God’s side.
God is still good God and the Devil is bad!
Here is Apostle Paul’s testimony:2 Corinthians 11:23-28 (NKJV)-23 Are they ministers of Christ?–I speak as a fool–I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often.24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one.25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep;26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness–28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. I don’t think anybody has suffered more than him for the sake of the gospel. Maybe some have. I know I haven’t. I never read where Apostle Paul blamed God for all that he went through. He did at one point ask God to remove the thorn of persecution and God replied,” my grace is sufficient”.(2 Cor 12:7-9)
The grace of God is a powerful thing and it can help us overcome anything and keep us going forward in faith. Apostle Paul said this in Romans 8:18 (NKJV)-18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Not only is this a future glory but the manifestation of God’s glory is revealed in us in this life. One aspect of God’s glory is His nature and character. To imitate Christ is to reveal God’s character and nature in our lives. Even in suffering, there can be a sense of God’s presence, joy, and peace exhibiting the character of Christ. The Apostle James gives us some advice: James 5:13-16 (AMP)-13 Is anyone among you afflicted (ill-treated, suffering )? He should pray. Is anyone glad at heart? He should sing praise [to God]. 14 Is anyone among you sick? He should call in the church elders (the spiritual guides). And they should pray over him, anointing him with oil in the Lord’s name.15 And the prayer [that is] of faith will save him who is sick, and the Lord will restore him; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.16 Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].
What to do in times of suffering? Prayer, praise, anointing of oil, and the prayer of faith, confession of sin, and praying one for another. Have we forgotten how powerful prayer can be? Apostle Paul rejoiced in God’s deliverance: 2 Timothy 3:10-11 (NKJV)-10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance,11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra–what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Also in Psalm 34:18-19 (NKJV)
18 The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all. Even in the storms and the suffering of life, God wants to bring us to the other side( Mark 4;35). Even if we die and go to heaven it is a win for us! Philippians 1:21 (NKJV)-21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
A very important mindset in times of suffering is keeping things in perspective. Like this verse in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NKJV)-17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. I have to say that suffering alone does not perfect or mature us! It is the Word of God within us that perfects and matures us (2 Tim 3:16). It is Christ in us the hope of glory( Col 1:27). It is the life of Jesus manifested in us. Personal suffering alone does not give God glory. Cancer, sickness, disease, etc. do not give God glory. When Christ is manifested in our lives through salvation, healing, and deliverance that is what brings glory to God. Even dying for our faith because of persecution can bring God glory. We see this in the life of Stephen(Acts 7:54-60, 2 Tim. 1:8 ). God is all about life and godliness, grace, mercy, and peace (2 Peter 1:2-3). He is not about death, suffering, sin or poverty, sickness, and depression(James 1:17, ). Matthew 7:11 (NKJV)-11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! I think many times we blame God instead of recognizing the true cause of suffering.
Here is an interesting verse: Hebrews 5:8-9 (NKJV)-8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, We know that Jesus suffered great emotional agony in the garden on our behalf. He suffered on the cross great physical agony for us as well(Luke 22:44). The prophet Isaiah prophesied what Jesus would do for us and what he went through for our redemption (Isaiah 53:1-10).
Is there a redemptive purpose in our suffering?
Do we learn obedience through suffering? If God gets the glory it is redemptive. If God delivered us it is redemptive. If we praise Him it is redemptive! We don’t thank God for suffering we thank Him in it! We thank Him for His delivering promises. We thank Him for His love, His hope, and the strength He gives us! Do you know suffering can make you bitter, it can harden your heart towards God. It can rob you of God’s Word in your life. What makes you better in suffering is God’s Word, the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, and the hope He brings. Romans 15:13 (NKJV)-13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
“Jesus learned obedience through the things He suffered.” We know that Jesus was sinless, even though he was tempted at all points. We know He always pleased the Father. There was never a time that he was disobedient. In suffering, we have to make a choice. Jesus had to make a choice. He chose in the garden to drink the cup of suffering for us! “ Not my will be done but your will be done” (Luke 22:42). The cross was God’s destiny for Jesus. Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV)-2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. He suffered for us so we wouldn’t suffer an eternity apart from God. He suffered in our place so we could experience salvation, healing, and deliverance. 2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV)-9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.( 1 Peter 2:24). We need to make the choice that Apostle James encouraged us to make as I mentioned before. We can learn to obey the Word or disobey it. We can be bitter or better! It is up to us to make that choice. We can stay tender before God or have a hard heart towards Him. We can humble ourselves and receive His grace or walk away(James 4:6).
God is not the cause of suffering in this world. There are sinful men and people, sinful governments, sinful situations, and a Devil, who like a roaring lion is out to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10, 1 Peter 5:8). The only redemptive purpose in suffering is when Christ is manifested in our lives. Every rose has its thorns but we don’t focus on them. We focus on the fragrance and beauty of the rose. Which is Christ. He bore the crown of thorns for us! Psalm 107:1-2 (NKJV)-1 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy,
I can see how suffering at times can get us into the Word of God more, how it can get us into prayer more, and how it can enlist others to pray for us. Maybe it would get us serious about walking with God or how it can encourage us in our obedience to the faith. The question is, shouldn’t we have already been doing that if we are saved and walking with Him? Luke 6:47-49 (NKJV)-47 Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like:48 He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.49 But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.” Let us be a wise builder, an obedient listener, and a doer of God’s Word and not just a hearer both in times of blessings and in times of suffering. Psalm 40:2 (NKJV)-2 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps.
We should never blame God for suffering. We need to get off the road of “God why is this happening” or Why are you doing this?” We need to change our mindset that all suffering is not the will of God. That He has some purpose in suffering. In God’s original creation, there was no suffering in the garden until sin and Satan came. Everything God did was good! Yes, we will suffer at times but it is not at the hand of God. That was for Jesus only. ( Isaiah 53:10). We need to focus on God’s grace, focus on God’s promises, and always turn to Him. All things will work together for our good when we pray, listen to the Holy Spirit, and obey His Word and what He has called us to do. 1 Corinthians 1:9 (NKJV)-9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. That is our first calling. To be conformed to the image of Christ( Rom 8:29). In times of suffering we need to stay on God’s side and resist the enemy(James 4:7). Anything that speaks and smells of death, disease, depression, lies, or despair we need to resist steadfast in the faith(1 peter 5:8-9). I believe we are redeemed from spiritual death, sickness, disease, and poverty. We are not redeemed from persecution and hardship we may face in this world. John 16:33 (AMP)-33 I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] Thank God for Jesus, our Redeemer!
In closing: Are you mad at God today? Are you blaming Him for what has happened in your life? Has your heart become hardened towards Him? Maybe it is time to come before your Father in heaven and receive His forgiveness, mercy, and grace. Maybe you need to give your life over to Him and receive Christ into your life. Run to the Father and fall into grace today. Don’t wait or hesitate. He is a present help in times of trouble! Psalm 46:1-7 (NKJV)-1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.2 Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.6 The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted.7 The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. Let us not be moved by suffering! Let us be moved by His grace and faith toward a Father who loves us and who is always there for us! Nothing can separate us from His love!
As far as a redemptive purpose in suffering the answer is yes when it comes to what Christ has done for us!
Psalm 78:35 (NKJV)-35 Then they remembered that God was their rock, And the Most High God their Redeemer. Isaiah 48:17 (NKJV)-17 Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you by the way you should go. The Hebrew Word for profit is yāʿal(Strong’s Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary.) It means to ascend; figurative to be valuable (objective useful, subjective benefited) to set forward, can do good, (be, have) profit (-able). We can ascend through and over suffering, we can move forward, and we can do good and profit thereby through obedience to the Word of God. There is a right way to go in times of suffering. To walk by faith and not by sight, letting Jesus lead us through to the other side! ( 1 John 5:4-5).
Romans 8:37-39 (NKJV)-37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
In Christ Love;
Brent and Linda Bushen
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