WHY SUFFERING…
There are many reasons why God allows suffering. The following webpages also discuss the issue of suffering and God:
§ Why Would a Good God Allow Suffering?http://www.rbc.org/ds/q0106/ ,
§ 10 Reasons To Believe in A God Who Allows Suffering http://www.rbc.org/rtb/4rsn/.
In my own personal experiences and study, I have seen many reasons why God’s children suffer. Here are some of the reasons why:
1. The testimony of Paul…
“7To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)
Apparently the Apostle Paul had, on top of the suffering he endured at the hands of persecutors within and without the church, he also had his own personal struggle - an affliction that is not clearly specified. Perhaps some form of sickness, but the point here is that in our weakness, we learn to depend on an all-powerful God. There are many times in my life when I convinced myself and others that all I needed to go on was a strong willpower, guts, determination and well, connections. I sought what I considered to be right before me, never mind the consequences. God has allowed me to suffer in order to effect a paradigm shift : to put me in a situation where all the things, resources and abilities I thought I could depend on failed me, so I would call on Him.
I’ve been studying the life of Paul, who begun his career as a Pharisee and an active persecutor of the church (Acts 9:1). He was present when Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was stoned (Acts 8). I’ve seen his life turn around. He would later go on to suffer much for the sake of Christ (Acts 9:16):
There are many reasons why God allows suffering. The following webpages also discuss the issue of suffering and God:
§ Why Would a Good God Allow Suffering?http://www.rbc.org/ds/q0106/ ,
§ 10 Reasons To Believe in A God Who Allows Suffering http://www.rbc.org/rtb/4rsn/.
In my own personal experiences and study, I have seen many reasons why God’s children suffer. Here are some of the reasons why:
1. The testimony of Paul…
“7To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)
Apparently the Apostle Paul had, on top of the suffering he endured at the hands of persecutors within and without the church, he also had his own personal struggle - an affliction that is not clearly specified. Perhaps some form of sickness, but the point here is that in our weakness, we learn to depend on an all-powerful God. There are many times in my life when I convinced myself and others that all I needed to go on was a strong willpower, guts, determination and well, connections. I sought what I considered to be right before me, never mind the consequences. God has allowed me to suffer in order to effect a paradigm shift : to put me in a situation where all the things, resources and abilities I thought I could depend on failed me, so I would call on Him.
I’ve been studying the life of Paul, who begun his career as a Pharisee and an active persecutor of the church (Acts 9:1). He was present when Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was stoned (Acts 8). I’ve seen his life turn around. He would later go on to suffer much for the sake of Christ (Acts 9:16):
“23Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. 27I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? 30If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness”. (2 Corinthians 11:23-30)
“7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body… 16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (1 Corinthians 4:7-12, 16:18)
Consider those passages. Light and momentary troubles? I don’t think so, but in contrast with 1.) what Christ has done, 2.) what Christ is doing in the life of Paul, and 3.) the reward that awaits him, Paul can confidently state it in such a manner. Elsewhere, he states:
“17Now if we are children, then we are heirs–heirs of God and coheirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. 18I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us”. (Romans 8:17-18)
Based on the above texts, I learned that:
§ Suffering teaches me to be God-reliant, not self-reliant
§ Suffering keeps me from being proud of myself
§ Suffering teaches me to trust in God’s power
§ Suffering makes me focus on what is unseen and eternal and not on
what is seen and temporary
§ Suffering allows me to share in Christ’s glory
2. The testimony of Peter…
“21To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”[e] 23When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:21-24)
“ 12Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
To follow Christ is to march to the beat of a different drum, to obey a different Master, and to earn the enmity of the world, the flesh or the sinful nature, and the devil. Christianity, while still in this world, is no rose garden. Suffering is not incidental: in fact, it is expected!
“6In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7These have come so that your faith–of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire–may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:6-7)
Based on the above texts, and also some study about Peter, I learned that:
§ Suffering refines my faith
§ Suffering is following Christ’s example
§ Suffering is participating in Christ’s suffering
§ Suffering keeps my focus on the future and to keep me from being
§ Suffering allows me to share in Christ’s glory
2. The testimony of Peter…
“21To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”[e] 23When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:21-24)
“ 12Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
To follow Christ is to march to the beat of a different drum, to obey a different Master, and to earn the enmity of the world, the flesh or the sinful nature, and the devil. Christianity, while still in this world, is no rose garden. Suffering is not incidental: in fact, it is expected!
“6In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7These have come so that your faith–of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire–may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:6-7)
Based on the above texts, and also some study about Peter, I learned that:
§ Suffering refines my faith
§ Suffering is following Christ’s example
§ Suffering is participating in Christ’s suffering
§ Suffering keeps my focus on the future and to keep me from being
enamored by the present
§ Suffering keeps me from complacency
3. The Book of Hebrews…
“7Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:7-11)
Suffering can be for disciplinary reasons. We can be chastised when we do wrong, and in the process, we learn. We become better persons if we allow ourselves to learn from discipline. It, in the end, makes us better, more useful, and more prudent persons.
Based on the above texts, I learned that:
§ Suffering can be a form of god’s discipline for sin in one’s life
§ Suffering molds character in a person, particularly holiness
§ Suffering is a sign of being a child of God
4. The testimony of James…
“2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4).
Based on the above texts, I learned that:
§ Suffering can be testing the quality of one’s faith
§ Suffering develops perseverance
§ Learning perseverance from suffering leads to spiritual maturity
5. The testimony of Job…
The Bible is replete with stories about suffering, and none is more painful than the story of Job. He was a “blameless and upright man” (Job 1:8) Under the testing of Satan, Job lost everything: wealth, children, status – he lost everything except his false friends, who accused him of unconfessed sin and disobedience, and a nagging wife, who encouraged him to “Curse God and die” (Job 2:9). Under severe testing, he praised God and remained faithful. Later, he was restored by God and even more richly blessed than before (Job 42:12).
Based on his story, I learned that:
§ We cannot be tested without God’s approval
§ We glorify God when we patiently endure suffering
§ Suffering has an END
§ We reveal our true character when stripped of everything material that
§ Suffering keeps me from complacency
3. The Book of Hebrews…
“7Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:7-11)
Suffering can be for disciplinary reasons. We can be chastised when we do wrong, and in the process, we learn. We become better persons if we allow ourselves to learn from discipline. It, in the end, makes us better, more useful, and more prudent persons.
Based on the above texts, I learned that:
§ Suffering can be a form of god’s discipline for sin in one’s life
§ Suffering molds character in a person, particularly holiness
§ Suffering is a sign of being a child of God
4. The testimony of James…
“2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4).
Based on the above texts, I learned that:
§ Suffering can be testing the quality of one’s faith
§ Suffering develops perseverance
§ Learning perseverance from suffering leads to spiritual maturity
5. The testimony of Job…
The Bible is replete with stories about suffering, and none is more painful than the story of Job. He was a “blameless and upright man” (Job 1:8) Under the testing of Satan, Job lost everything: wealth, children, status – he lost everything except his false friends, who accused him of unconfessed sin and disobedience, and a nagging wife, who encouraged him to “Curse God and die” (Job 2:9). Under severe testing, he praised God and remained faithful. Later, he was restored by God and even more richly blessed than before (Job 42:12).
Based on his story, I learned that:
§ We cannot be tested without God’s approval
§ We glorify God when we patiently endure suffering
§ Suffering has an END
§ We reveal our true character when stripped of everything material that
we hold dear - when we have no money, no friends, no home, no health,
when we are stripped of the superficial trappings that we think define
our existence or our selves, we come closest to seeing ourselves
objectively – THAT WE ARE NOTHING WITHOUT GOD!
CONCLUSION
Suffering can be brought about by different reasons, depending on the context or circumstances…it can be a consequence of sin, a process of undergoing discipline, to refine character, exercise faith in God, a test, a reminder not to put too much confidence in oneself or in material things…
For me, suffering has broken my much-vaunted pride, that bastion of self that I’ve held on to when everything else was crumbling…It has shown me how little, how insignificant, in fact, how pathetic I am…
It has led me to Jesus Christ…I would not cry out to Him until I reached rock-bottom, and so in His love, He let me sink so low. They say when you’re at the pits, there’s nowhere to look but up…
He humbled me, yes I would say that He broke me. God allowed me to suffer so I would call on Him, and run to Him. He brought me to the brink of despair so I would see the greatness of His redemption.
Until I realized my helplessness, and my need for Him, He let me wallow a bit, until I literally was brought down on my knees, crying out to Him.
I did think that perhaps god was simply being sadistic – a sort of monstrous ego trip or a kid playing with an ant farm. Or perhaps he was being vindictive for all the times I was deliberately disobedient. Only later did I appreciate why God allowed me to suffer: it was because HE LOVED ME.
I am not enjoying “the good life.” I don’t have a lot of so-called determinants of success. I’m still in the furnace, but I now understand why: I am still “under construction.”
No comments:
Post a Comment