“Life is difficult”. M. Scott Peck. First line from his book The Road Less Travelled
Job 5:7 but man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward.
John 16:33 In the world you will have tribulation
How do think through suffering theologically and handle it practically?
It’s important to think through this as we will all experience varying levels of suffering. And suffering can cause one of two reactions. Draw away from God or draw near.
So what’s the deal with suffering?
Read Luke 13:1-5
1) Suffering is part of the
Jerimiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Genesis 3:16-19 (Curses due to the Fall)
3 relationships broken: Man and God, Man and Man, Man and creation
The fallen world we live in does not operate the way it was originally planned
Two false thoughts about suffering: It is a punishment for our sins and It means that God is not all powerful
2) There can be
God uses it to refine, shape and grow us. Suffering can be redemptive.
“Suffering is never for nothing.” Elizabeth Elliot
“Suffering is not a sign that God has abandoned you, but a pathway through which His grace and strength are revealed.” - Joni Erickson Tada.
What could some purposes be?
To
Romans 8:28-29 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Philippians 3:8-10 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 1that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
To produce
James 1:2 (MSG) Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
Produces
2 Corinthians 1: 3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too
3) We can have
We have one who is familiar with suffering-
Isaiah 53:3-5 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.
God is near to us in our suffering
Psalm 34:18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
Suffering points us towards the cross (It tells us something isn’t right)
Luke 13: 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish
1 Peter 4:12-13 (ESV): “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.”
Romans 8:18 (NIV): “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
Conclusion
Hard times come for all in life, with no real explanation. When we walk through suffering, it has the potential to devastate and destroy, or to be the gateway to gratitude and joy.
Why doesn’t God do something about suffering? He has, He did, He is, and He will.