There Is The…
1.- Gift of Suffering –
“For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for Him.“-{Phil1:29}
2.- Goal Of Suffering –
“I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised Him from the dead. I want to suffer with Him, sharing in His death, “- {Phil 3:10}
3.- Growth Through Suffering-
“After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” -{1Pet 5:10}:
“And not only this, but [a]we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;…”-{Rom 5:3-4}
4.-Grace To Suffer-
” Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”- {2 Cor 12:8-9}
5.- Glorifying God In Suffering –
“… but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this Name.“- {1 Peter 4:16;
“But when Jesus heard this, He said, “This sickness is not [a]meant for death, but is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.”- {John 11:4}
6. – Opportunity to Testify Because Of Suffering-
” but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and respect; “- {1 Peter 3:15}
7. – Learn Obedience Through Suffering-
” Even though Jesus was God’s Son, He learned obedience from the things he suffered.“- {Hebrews 5:8}
8. – Experience God’s Comfort-
” Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort…”- {2 Cor 1:3}
9.- Equipped to compassionately comfort others –
” …who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”-{2 Cor 1:4}
10.- Weaned Off Self Reliance To God Dependency-
“For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, of our affliction which occurred in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead,.”={2 Cor 1:8-9}
11.- Reward For Suffering-
“Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” –{James1:12;}
“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”-{Matt 5:11-12}
Take time and read the verses to familiarize yourself with some of God’s perspectives on suffering and renew your mind as you allow the Spirit of God to ground you in His Word.
These are some truths to know about Suffering for yourself but also to have the ability to SHARE with others for their spiritual benefit and growth in the knowledge of God’s Word on some of the subject of suffering.
YOUR study of the Word is not only for you but for OTHER’S SAKE, to help them…
God bless,
Aidan,