GOD HELPS US WITH SUFFERING

GOD HELPS US WITH SUFFERING

Why do we suffer? What help does God offer us who suffer? God answers our questions in the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

BEGINNING OF SUFFERING AND GOD’S PROMISE OF HELP

God told Adam and Eve not to eat from one of many trees in the Garden of Eden lest they die. They disobeyed God and ate from the forbidden tree and received God’s curse of death (Genesis 3). Their sin of disobedience hindered their communication with the heavenly Father; immediately they died spiritually (Ephesians 2:1; 1 Timothy 5:6); and physically death followed.
Separation from God and the paradise of Eden that God created caused Adam and Eve to experience guilt and pain of conscience, and to suffer in different ways throughout their lives. Today, many people who are physically alive, do not recognize that they are spiritually dead, due to their sin having separated them from God, so that they have no fellowship with him (Isaiah 59:2).

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However, God had a plan to redeem mankind. God promised that the seed or descendant of the woman would defeat or bruise the head of the serpent (the devil—Revelation 20:2), who deceived Eve and Adam to disobey God (Genesis 3:13-15; 2 Corinthians 5:19; Colossians

INHERITANCE OF SIN AND SUFFERING

The tendency to disobey God, and the curse of sin passed on to the children of Adam and Eve. Cain, the eldest son of Adam and Eve, killed his brother Abel. God severely punished Cain. Adam and Eve suffered as parents, when one son was killed and the other son was punished as a murderer (Gen 4:1-8).
All people descending from Adam and Eve, the parents of mankind, inherited their sinful nature and curse (Romans 3:23; 1 Corinthians 15:22).
Many people who are now physically alive, may not recognize or acknowledge that they are spiritually dead–due to their sins having separated them from God–so that they have no fellowship with him (Isaiah 59:2).

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Nevertheless, the Word of God says, if a person seeks God with all their heart, recognizes their sins and asks for forgiveness, God will forgive them for all their sins (Jeremiah 29:13; 1 John 1:8-9).

GOD USES SUFFERING TO CAUSE SOME TO REPENT

God sent Israel into captivity in Babylon because of their continual sinning. But He freed them after they repented and turned to Him.
God told the people of Nineveh, who did not recognize him as God, that he was going to destroy them because of their iniquities. But when they repented, fasted and prayed God did not destroy them.

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God said, if my people would humble themselves and pray and turn from their wicked ways, then will I forgive their sins and heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).
And he said, let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them (Isaiah 55:7; I John 1:7-9).

GOD PERMITS SUFFERING TO STRENGTH OUR FAITH

God permitted Satan to use suffering to test Job’s faith in God . Satan was permitted to take away all of Job’s possessions and his children. His wife abandoned him and his friends failed to support him in his troubles. And the devil added to Job’s sorrows by causing his body to be covered with festering sores. However, Job said, “Though He[God] slay me, yet will I trust him” and “all of the days of my appointed time I will wait till my change come” (Job).
The Lord chose the apostle Paul, to be an example of much suffering for the church. He remained faithful to the Lord although he was imprisoned, beaten with rods, stoned, shipwrecked… (2 Corinthians 11:23-30; Philippians 3:17).

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The Bible says, all who will live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer; but God will never leave or forsake us (2 Timothy 3:12; Hebrews 13:5).
The Apostle Peter said, do not be surprised at the fiery trial which is to try you…in as much as you are partakers in Christ suffering, you may be glad with exceeding joy at his appearance ( 1Peter 4:12-13).
God’s Word instruct us to love one another, be kindly affectionate to one another, and bear one another’s burdens (John 13:34; Romans 12:10; Galatians 6:2).

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GOD ACCOMPLISHED OUR REDEMPTION BY CHRIST’S SUFFERING

God provided his sinless Son as the sacrificial atonement for our sins. He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities, and the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed (Isaiah 53:5; John 3:16).
Because Jesus suffered and was tempted in all ways just as we are, he understands our sufferings and our needs. With him as our empathetic high priest and mediator, we can come confidently before the throne of God in the time of need. (Hebrews 4:15-16; 1 Timothy 2:5).
When we have repented and accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, the Lord sends the Holy Spirit as our comforter to help us with our sufferings and all our needs (John 14:16; Philippians 4:10).

Thank the Lord he is preparing us to live in heavenly paradise where there is no suffering, forever with our loving God (Romans 8:29; John 14:2-3).