GOD HELPS US WITH SUFFERING
Some may ask: Why do we suffer? What help does the Lord God offer us who suffer? He answers our questions in the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
SUFFERING BECAUSE OF SIN; AND GOD’S PROMISE OF HELP
The Bible says “Sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned” (Romans 5:12). “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23)
- with painful labor you will give birth to children.” And the Lord curse the man, telling him, “by the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground.” (Genesis 3)
- appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).
SUFFERING TO CAUSE REPENTANCE
- 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.
- 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).
SUFFERING TO STRENGTHEN 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).
- The Bible says: 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).
- All who will live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer; but he will put no more on you than you are able to bear (2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Corinthians 10:13).
- Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
- The Lord’s apostle Paul said: “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:8).
SUFFERING TO REDEEM US TO GOD
- 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).
