Why should I celebrate?

This Sunday I had the distinct honor and pleasure of preaching at Total Life Church. I love the sense of community there! After lunch a few of us went over to my friend's house (Rick and Melissa) and played ping pong, halo (the guys), and had a sewing party? (I NEVER thought I'd be caught in the midst of a sewing party but let me tell you!, it is a blast!)

Now I know facebook is used for connecting and keeping up-to-date with friends far away as well us keeping your friends up-to-date, but I think there's an epidemic of complaining and self-pity occurring on facebook status'. Before you set your status next time, check to see if it's a celebration, complaint, or pity-me status. In the midst of our lives, we can find reason to celebrate. Here is a short version of the sermon from this Sunday entitled, "Why Celebrate?"

Why Celebrate?

Why should we celebrate nowadays? Our National Deficit continues to grow, the housing market continues to drop, I think santa clause is even poor this year, and you're most likely not getting an awesome Christmas present. The sun's not going to be out much longer, it gets dark earlier, it's cold, it probably won't snow this Christmas, did I mention that I think even santa clause might be poor this year? The song title "bleak midwinter" never rang truer and it's hard to find reasons to celebrate this Christmas season. However, in the midst of the grimness in the material scene, there is reason to celebrate.

We can start to take some of our cues from a prophet named Isaiah. Approximately 700 years prior to Christ's birth, the prophet Isaiah began proclaiming the message of God's judgment and His redemption. During the ministry of Isaiah, there was a great moral and spiritual decline. Because of the idolatry in the land, God sent the Assyrians to destroy Israel and expand their own territory. In their oppressed state, Isaiah urged the Israelites to find their allegiance in God; instead, the Israelites took sides with who they thought may be most powerful - the Egyptians or the Syrians. I'm not sure if this all was happening in the "bleak midwinter" but I know for sure that in the midst of the grimness in the material scene, Isaiah found reason to celebrate by writing the following hymn in Isaiah 9:4-7. I'll start from verse 3:

³ You have multiplied the nation
And increased its joy;^[a]
They rejoice before You
According to the joy of harvest,
As men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
⁴ For You have broken the yoke of his burden
And the staff of his shoulder,
The rod of his oppressor,
As in the day of Midian.
⁵ For every warrior’s sandal from the noisy battle,
And garments rolled in blood,
Will be used for burning and fuel of fire.
⁶ For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
⁷ Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

1) He has made the Impossible Possible (2 parts)

a) Gideon fought the Midianites (vs. 4, "as in the day of Midian"

i) God dwindled his army down to 300 men fighting several hundred thousand men. (More than the grains of sand)

ii) Rejoice when God makes the impossible possible

b) Isaiah Remembered this feat

i) The fight of Gideon and the Midianites occurred 500 years prior to Isaiah writing this hymn

ii) When God does the impossible in your life, remember it and continue to rejoice. Rejoice over impossibilities being overcome even prior to your lifetime

2) He Has given hope for a day of peace

a) Vs. 5 shows imagery of the end of war

i) The boots or sandals used in battle would be burned

ii) The garments rolled in blood is not entirely clear but there are verses in scripture that speak of rivers as an analogy of the amount of people that were murdered in battle

iii) Isaiah writes this because of the Assyrian oppression over the Israelites.

iv) Regardless of what the garments being rolled in blood actually means, the idea is clear: Isaiah's hymn speaks of a day where war and oppression ceases completely.

b) We should rejoice because physical war and oppression will one day cease

i) Unless you have a family member in war, this may mean nothing to you

ii) Unless you're being persecuted for your faith, this may mean nothing to you

iii) If this means nothing because you're not oppressed and have no direct relationship with someone in war, we should rejoice that one day the oppression/war will cease and the people who are at war and who are oppressed will experience peace.

3) He has sent His Son

a) Isaiah's hymn now becomes prophetic - let's take it verse by verse now - This section is the FOCAL POINT of the hymn.

i) Vs. 6-7 most likely were originally directed toward a prince becoming king. However, Isaiah's hymn foretells the plan of God's redemption through Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

ii) The government will be upon his shoulder - when kings took the throne, their "proof of office" or ensign of office was worn on the shoulder of the king. This is the opposite of verse 4 if we look back where Isaiah speaks of the impossible being made possible. Notice: you have broken the yoke that was on his shoulder. God breaks the yoke on their shoulder and the government is placed on the shoulder of the Messiah.

iii) He shall be called: When a king was taking the throne, the people gave him 5 names according to their qualities and accomplishments. Often, their name could be read as a sentence. The Child is born and given, and his name will be called:

(1) Wonderful

(2) Counselor

(3) Mighty God - mighty warrior

(4) Everlasting Father - he is both a child/the son as well as the father which is interesting and points partially toward evidence of the Trinity. While earthly kings reign only for a while, this King will reign forever.

(5) Prince of Peace - he is and will be our peace.

iv) There will never be an end to his reign and his peace.

4) Why should we rejoice? (RECAP)

a) He makes the impossible possible and we should always remember those instances

b) He brings hope of a day of peace (in this lifetime and the next)

c) He has given His Son

May God bless all of us this Christmas season and may we forever remember to rejoice because of his miracles, promise of peace, and the birth and sending of His Son: Jesus Christ.

What to read in the Bible, when to read it...

During my devotional time this evening I came across a verse that struck me. I did a search on the phrase "Jesus said" on Bible Gateway to meditate on Jesus' heart (from the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks, right?).

Matthew 15:32 refreshed me, "Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way."

Jesus fasted for 40 days, He knew full well that they weren't starving. In fact, I'm pretty sure that when they got to their houses they would have their fair share of the ancient equivalent of the modern-day double cheeseburger and large fry meal. I'd say it's safe to say that they weren't in NEED yet Jesus had compassion on the fact that they were hungry. They were hungry because they'd been with Him for three days. They sacrificed eating to learn from the Messiah. I was encouraged because I realized that Jesus most likely has compassion for me too, especially when I sacrifice something to follow Him - even when it's not a need... wow.

What should I read in the Bible and when?! I was studying 1 Thess. with Paul but I happened to want to do this search instead and I feel relief and peace because of it. What do we do when we're reading through the Bible in a year and we're stuck in Leviticus or Numbers or Revelation...(I know I'm being ungodly by even thinking that - there are great sections in every book and I know that God has breathed it for a reason, I just don't happen to know all of the reasons..."and 36,000 were in the tribe of whosawhatsit and he was the father of ...").

Here is what I do which may or may not be helpful to somebody:

1. Read through the Bible in a year - You're bound to run into something that applies to you somewhere at some point in time.
2. Study a particular book at a time - This gives you the liberty to meditate on God's Word and choose what you feel you need to learn.
   
3. Get familiar - Find out what books and what chapters in the Bible talk about what (I know we're talking 66 books here, but it's worth it). I know off the top of my head that if I am concerned about spiritual gifts or communion I should go to I Cor. 11-14, or if I've lost my sense of authority as God's child I can turn to Ephesians 1 or colossians 2, I can turn to Romans 8 if I feel like I'm being separated from Jesus, if I can't express my anguish I know to go to every other page in the Psalms (haha). GET FAMILIAR with books and outlines. It will greatly affect the way God speaks to you through His Word.
   
4. Know your favorite verses - If you have a few key verses that always speak to you, go to the context and read the verses and chapters around that verse.

Out of the four, I've found that number three, getting familiar with Scripture, has been the most beneficial to me in my daily time with Jesus (without getting rid of the former ones or latter). I often either read through the Bible in a year or pick specific books to study AND also read from sections of Scripture that I know might have a great impact on me. It's especially great to study books/chapters/verses where you haven't visited in a while because, well...you don't know everything and there might be something there that God will speak to you that He didn't the last time you read it because you didn't care last time. Just like my Matthew 15:32 tonight.

• Read through the Bible/Study a specific book to find your Matthew 15:32.
• Get familiar with the Bible to be able to flood your heart with truth when you know you're being lied to.

Trials

A speaker who came to VFCC once looked at the entire student body and stated, "You are either going through a trial, about to go through one, or just coming out of one. The same applies to everyone around you." The same can be evidenced through the Psalmist, David, who wrote Psalms of ascent, descent, and reorientation.

Why do we go through trials?

1. The Fall

The number one reason why "bad things happen to..." people, is because of the fall of mankind (Gen. 3). In moments, humanity went from being guiltless and having a perfect, unhindered relationship with God, to being ashamed, condemned to work by the sweat of their brow, pain entering the process of childbirth, and death. This judgment, discipline, and condemnation for sin now infiltrates every aspect of our lives. Graciously, God provided a way for our sins to be forgiven through Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, the original sin has tainted this world that we live in.

2. Persecution

See Matthew 5:10-12, Hebrews 11, take note of Paul's sufferings in 2 Cor. 11 & 12 as well as Stephen's Martydom.

3. Discipline

See 1 Corinthians 11:27-32, Hebrews 12:7

4. For the Glory of God

John 9:1-5


If trials are bound to come our way, how should we respond?

• With Joy (James 1:2-4)
• With Perseverance (James 1:12)

What do we get out of it? What is the result of persevering through trials in our lives?

• We're blessed (Matthew 5:10-12)
• We're perfected (James 1:2-4)
• His power is made perfect (2 Corinthians 12:7)
• Hope is fostered in us (Romans 5:3-5)

Trials are hard to endure, let alone persevere through with joy, but if we can keep the ends in mind, the means might not be so painful. Hope that God's word encourages someone today.

:-D Be blessed!

The New Jerusalem

^{Revelation 21: 3}And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

How I long for this day. Reading verse 4 sets me into spirals of longing and hopefulness. I am so blessed, joyful, fulfilled...satisfied to be the servant, friend, and child of a God who's initial plan was and ultimate plan is to eliminate every pain from our lives. There will be a day.

Be encouraged today. This bit of truth will never change. We have something to hold on to and a God who has never, and will never, change.

Jeremy Camp's "There Will Be a Day"

Statistics of Pastors

Last week a friend of mine mentioned that she heard a statistic that on average, pastors spend about four minutes in prayer each day. The following is a list of statics along with my opinion regarding the statistic in italics.

According to Shiloh Place Ministries (shilohplace.org), which drew its information from Focus on the Family, Ministries Today, Charisma Magazine, TNT Ministries, and other respected groups: (HT: Historicity)

• 50% of pastors’ marriages end in divorce.

According to a few books that I've read about the sacred union of marriage, Christians have about the same rate of divorce, if not slightly higher, than people who don't claim to be Christians. I thought to myself, "Well, a lot of those people must be nominal Christians that don't really live for God but just claim Christianity as their religion." Unfortunately, I don't think pastors qualify for the "nominal Christian" category...

• 70% of pastors continually battle depression.

According to http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/the-numbers-count-mental-disorders-in-america/index.shtml, only 9.5% of the adult population has been diagnosed with clinical depression. 15% of clinically depressed people commit suicide.

• 80% of pastors and 85% of their spouses feel discouraged in their roles.
• 95% of pastors do not regularly pray with their spouses.

This is absurd in my opinion. If we truly hold value in prayer, there is no reason to disregard the necessity of prayer with our families, including one's spouse.

• 70% of pastors do not have a close friend, confidant, or mentor.

I think this greatly contributes to the discouragement in ministry and even depression. We are relational beings, in need of each other. Jesus' prayer for us was that we would be one with each other as He was one with His father. 70% of pastors aren't even one with one other person, let alone a community of Christians.

• 50% of pastors are so discouraged they would leave the ministry if they could, but have no other way to make a living.
• 80% of pastors spend under 15 minutes a day in prayer.

A lot of the problem-statistics that are in this list most likely stem from this problem-statistic. We need God. Period. It's not my place to say 15 minutes of prayer is an inadequate amount of time to spend in prayer each day, but...it's inadequate. Maybe for a new Christian, just converted, even five minutes in prayer will produce change. But for a seasoned pastor? Who (probably) spends over 40 hours a week in a church office counseling his people, meeting about the next outreach, preparing for this Sunday's message, etc. ... yikes.

• 70% of pastors only study God’s Word when preparing a message.
• Nearly 40% of pastors have had an extra-marital sexual affair since entering ministry.

Disgusting. Don't worry, I don't think pastors' wives are completely innocent either. If 40% of pastors have had this type of affair, what about Christian's in general? Don't get me wrong, I have an attitude of grace toward any sin, and I am certainly not above sin or temptation - this just shouldn't be happening. This could be contributed to by the fact that 70% of pastors don't have a friend! Who are we to be accountable to?

• 80% of seminary graduates who enter ministry will leave the ministry within the first five years.
• 80% of pastors’ wives feel their husbands are overworked.
• 80% of the adult children of pastors sought professional help for depression.

Our most important ministry should be ministering to our children and fulfilling their need to be loved. Certainly 80% of the depressed children of pastors aren't all the pastors' faults...but I'm sure a large percentage is.

• 90% of pastors said their training was inadequate for ministry.

Having been through ministry school, I know the areas of text books that I skimmed, I know what I flashed memorized just to get an 'A', and I know what content I knew like the back of my hand. In ministry school I know people who cheated on tests, lied about reading the text books they were supposed to read, lied about their attendance of classes and lectures and lied about volunteering their time in a specific ministry task to get a grade. I know a lot of people in ministry school who haven't read through the Bible, even though it was required, I have seen people with fairly ungodly life-styles...planning to be your pastor one day or your childrens' pastors. 90% of pastors feel inadequately trained, but I wonder what percentage of those pastors actually gave schooling their all.

• 85% of pastors report that their biggest problem is dealing with abstinent elders, deacons, worship leaders, worship teams, board members, and associate pastors.
• 90% of pastors said the hardest thing about ministry is uncooperative people.

Hahah I believe it.

• 70% of pastors are grossly underpaid.

Once again, I believe it. Lol

Once• 80% of pastors’ wives feel unappreciated by the congregation.
• 90% of pastors said ministry was completely different from what they thought it would be.
• Only 70% of pastors felt called of God into ministry when they began.
• Only 50% of pastors felt called of God into ministry three years later.
• 80% of pastors’ wives feel pressured to be someone they are not and do things they are not called to do in the church.

This should never be. No one should be pushed into a role they do not feel called to be in. People have gifts for a reason and they don't have gifts so that someone else would step up and be used.

• Over 50% of pastors’ wives feel that their husbands entering ministry was the most destructive thing to ever happen to their families.

Hope you enjoyed!!

Suffering in the West

I believe as a western civilization, American Christians have lost the Biblical perspective of suffering. We call it a recession or suffering because people can't afford to buy lavish homes with 4 bedrooms. America is so rich that I think that American Christians don't think that suffering can be part of being in the will of God or just part of the deal when we enter a relationship with Jesus. Most American Christian have this equation:

Joy + Riches = You're in God's will
Suffering + _______ (fill in the blank with poverty, sickness, persecution, etc.) = You must be outside of God's will.

The following is a series of excerpts from an author that I found online and I think that the author has a pretty good theology of suffering in Scripture. It's a little long, but it's definitely worth a read.

TOWARD A BIBLICAL
THEOLOGY OF
SUFFERING
Ken Williams, Ph.D.
2
TOWARD A BIBLICAL VIEW OF SUFFERING
Suffering is God’s plan for us. In western
cultures suffering is seen as very bad, to be avoided
at all costs, and sometimes even an indication
that something is very wrong. It is considered
abnormal. Unfortunately, most western Christian
cultures hold an inadequate theology of suffering
also. As cross cultural workers in Christian
ministry we must move beyond the myths we have
received from our culture, and develop a solid
biblical view. God’s view is absolutely essential to
be able to handle suffering well.
God’s word clearly shows that suffering is a
normal part of the Christian life, especially
suffering for Christ. “For it has been granted to
you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on
Him, but also to suffer for Him” (Phil. 1.29).
“To this [suffering] your were called.. .” (1 Pet.
2.21).
This study examines several different aspect
of suffering, and looks at many Scriptures on the
subject. I urge you to study these references in
their contexts, to develop a more comprehensive
biblical theology of suffering.
I. OUR VIEW OF SUFFERING VS. GOD’S VIEW
A. Cultural Myths about Suffering
1. As Christians, we should not suffer in this
life.
2. When we are living in His will, living godly
lives, we should experience few hardships.
3. Suffering means something is wrong. It is an
abnormal state.
4. Suffering has no redeeming or positive
results.
5. Suffering means we can have no joy. It robs
us of the choice to rejoice.
6. Spiritual people don’t hurt emotionally when
they suffer.
7. If God really loves us He won’t let us suffer
very much. His love means that He will put
a hedge around us to keep terrible trials from
entering our lives.
8. When we do suffer, God is punishing us out
of anger. He is vindictive and wants us to
suffer when He is angry with us.
B. How God Views Suffering
1. In fact, we are called to suffer for Jesus. Phil.
1.29, 1 Pet. 2.20-21
2. We must go through many hardships to enter
the kingdom of God; we were destined for
trials. Acts 14.22, 1 Thess. 3.3
3. Suffering is normal and inevitable in the
Christian life. 2 Tim. 3.12
4. God uses suffering for our good, to conform
us to the likeness of His Son. Rom. 8.28-29
5. We have a choice to rejoice in our suffering.
See Section D below.
6. Spiritual people feel many painful emotions
when they suffer. Mark 14.33-34, 2 Cor. 2.4
7. He didn’t prevent His own Son from
suffering. Rom. 8.32 And He didn’t prevent
Paul, Peter, John the Baptist, Job, and others
He loved from suffering greatly.
8. Suffering may be God’s loving discipline, for
our good. Heb.12.7-11.
Toward a Biblical View of Suffering
3
C. Jesus’ Teaching About Suffering
Here are some examples of Jesus’ teaching that
are in opposition to what we have come to
believe as Christians in our culture.
1. “Blessed are the poor in spirit...those who
mourn...those who are persecuted because
of righteousness... Blessed are you when
people insult you, persecute you and falsely
say all kinds of evil against you because of
me.” Mt. 5.3-11
2. “Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body
but cannot kill the soul.” Mt. 10.28
3. “If anyone would come to me, he must
deny himself and take up his cross and
follow me. For whoever wants to save his
life will lose it, but whoever loses his life
for me will find it.” Me. 16.24-25
4. “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich
man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again
I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go
through the eye of a needle than for a rich
man to enter the kingdom of God.” Mt.
19.23-24
5. “No one who has left home or brothers or
sisters or father or mother or children or
fields for me and the gospel will fail to
receive a hundred times as much in this
present age (home s, brothers, sisters,
mothers, children and fields—and with
them, persecutions) and in the age to come,
eternal life.” Mark 10.29-30
6. “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and
how I wish it were already kindled! But I
have a baptism to undergo, and how
distressed I am until it is completed! Do
you think I came to bring peace on earth?
No, I tell you, but division. From now on
there will be five in one family divided
against each other, three against two and
two against three. They will be divided,
father against son and son against father,
mother against daughter and daughter
against mother, mother-in-law against
daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against
mother-in-law.” Luke 12.49-53
7. “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his
father and mother, his wife and children, his
brothers and sisters--yes, even his own life--
he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who
does not carry his cross and follow me cannot
be my disciple... In the same way, any of you
who does not give up everything he has
cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14.26-17, 33
8. “But before all this, they will lay hands on
you and persecute you. They will deliver you
to synagogues and prisons, and you will be
brought before kings and governors, and all
on account of my name. This will result in
your being witnesses to them. But make up
your mind not to worry beforehand how you
will defend yourselves. For I will give you
words and wisdom that none of your
adversaries will be able to resist or
contradict. You will be betrayed even by
parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and
they will put some of you to death. All men
will hate you because of me. But not a hair of
your head will perish. By standing firm you
will gain life.” Luke 21.12-19
9. “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat
falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a
single seed. But if it dies, it produces many
seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it,
while the man who hates his life in this world
will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves
me must follow me; and where I am, my
servant also will be. My Father will honor the
one who serves me.” John 12.24-26
D. Joy in Suffering
Cultural myth number five says that we can have
no joy when we’re suffering. This is an issue
which God’s word speaks about often. Here are
some examples.
1. “Rejoice and be glad, because great is your
reward in heaven, for in the same way they
persecuted the prophets who were before
you.” Matthew 5.12
Toward a Biblical View of Suffering
4
2. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our
sufferings, because we know that suffering
produces perseverance... Romans 5.3
3. Out of the most severe trial, their
overflowing joy and their extreme poverty
welled up in rich generosity. 2 Corinthians
8.2
4. You became imitators of us and of the Lord;
in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed
the message with the joy given by the Holy
Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 1.6
5. Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever
you face trials of many kinds, because you
know that the testing of your faith develops
perseverance. Perseverance must finish its
work so that you may be mature and
complete, not lacking anything. James 1.2-4
6. These [trials] 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.
Thought you have not seen him, you love
him; and even though you do not see him
now, you believe in him and are filled with
an inexpressible and glorious joy... 1 Peter
1.7-8
II. PURPOSES AND RESULTS OF SUFFERING
God tell us the purposes He has for our
suffering, and the beneficial results, both to us
and for His glory. He makes it clear that we do
not suffer in vain, especially when we suffer for
His sake. These two categories are somewhat
arbitrary, because the distinction between
purposes and results is not always clear.
A. Purposes of Suffering
Here are some key purposes of suffering as God
has revealed them.
1. To share in Christ’s sufferings, becoming
like Him in His death. Phil. 3.10
2. To make us rely on God, not ourselves. 2 Cor.
1.9
3. So that Jesus’ life may be revealed in us. 2
Cor. 4.10-11.
4.So that our faith may be proved genuine and
result in praise. 1 Peter 1.7
5.To keep us from going astray, to obey His word.
Ps. 119.67
6.To discipline us for our good, that we may share
in his holiness. Heb. 12.10
7.We must go through many hardships to enter the
Kingdom of God. Acts 14.22
8.To be able to comfort others with the comfort
we have received from God. 2 Cor. 1.4
9.To prepare for us an eternal glory. 2 Cor. 4.17.
B. Results of Suffering
The word promises wonderful results of suffering.
We need to focus on these when we are going
through trials, to remind ourselves that we do not
suffer in vain. Here are some of the results of
suffering mentioned in the word. Some results are
unconditional, i.e., the benefits don’t depend on
the way we respond in the situation. O ther results
are conditional, i.e., the benefits depend on why
we suffer, or how we respond.
1. Unconditional Results.
a. It achieves for us an eternal glory that far
outweighs all suffering. 2 Cor. 4.17
b. We can comfort others with the comfort we
have received from God. 2 Cor. 1.4
c. Others will give thanks for answered
prayer. 2 Cor. 1.11
d. After we have suffered God will restore us,
make us strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Pet.
5.10
e. God uses it for our good. Rom. 8.28
f. It builds perseverance, character, hope and
maturity. Rom. 5.3,4, Jas. 1.3-4
Toward a Biblical View of Suffering
5
g. These sufferings are not worth comparing
with the glory He will reveal to us. Rom.
8.18
h. As God’s discipline, it will later produce
a harvest of righteousness and peace for
those who are trained by it. Heb. 12.11
i. We are blessed when we are insulted
because of the name of Christ, because
the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon
us. 1 Pet. 4.14
j. We are blessed when we are persecuted
for righteousness. Mt. 5.10-11
k. Our reward will be great in heaven. Mt.
5.12
2. Conditional Results, based on why we
suffer.
a. We are blessed—if we suffer for what is
right. I Pet. 3.14. See Lk. 6.22
b. We are blessed—if we are persecuted
because of righteousness. Mt. 5.10-11
c. Our reward will be great in heaven—if
we are persecuted for righteousness. Mt.
5.12
d. We are blessed, because the Spirit of
glory and of God rests upon us—if we are
insulted for the name of Christ. 1 Pet.
4.14
3. Conditional Results, based on our response
a. We will inherit a blessing—if we repay
evil with blessing. 1 Pet. 3.9
b. We will receive God’s approval—if we
bear up when suffering unjustly. 1 Pet.
2.19-20
c. We will be overjoyed when Christ’s glory
is revealed—if we rejoice that we
participate in His sufferings. 1 Pet. 4.13
d. We will receive the crown of life—if we
persevere under trial and stand the test.
James 1.12
e. We will reign with Him—if we endure. 2
Tim. 2.12
f. Those who slander us will be ashamed—if
we keep a clear conscience. 1 Pet. 3.16
g. Our reward will be great—if we respond
lovingly to our enemies. Lk. 6.35
h. When Jesus is revealed, results will be
prais e, glory and honor—if our faith has
been prov ed genuine. 1 Pet. 1.7
III. BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF SUFFERING
We can learn much from examples of suffering in
the word. Only a few are mentioned here. Nearly
every character described in the Bible experienced
great suffering! You are encouraged to study how
biblical characters handled suffering, and how God
ministered to them.
A. Jesus
Jesus is obviously our primary example. “...Christ
suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you
should follow in His steps” (1 Pet. 2.21). He
didn’t retaliate or threaten, but entrusted Himself
to the Father (1 Pet. 2.21-23). For the joy set
before Him, He endured (Heb. 12.2). See Isa.
53.3-11, 1 Pet. 4.1,13, 1.11, 3.18, 5.1 and many
other Scriptures on Christ’s suffering.
B. Paul
Paul is another helpful example of suffering in the
New Testament. Study his suffering in Acts and in
his letters. In 2 Corinthians, for example, you will
find at least 45 different kinds of suffering Paul
endured. You will also discover at least 15
different emotional reactions to suffering, and 13
ways he chose to respond in Christ’s power.
C. Job
Job comes to mind immediately when suffering is
considered. The book of Job provides a unique
study on the theology of suffering as well as other
important aspects.
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6
D. David
David is probably the most helpful example of
suffering the in Old Testament. His Psalms
provide abundant teaching on suffering through
His example. Psalm 31, for example,
demonstrates at least 14 specific ways he chose
to deal with his suffering.
E. The Prophets
The prophets also provide excellent examples.
“Brothers, as an example of patience in the face
of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the
name of the Lord” (James 5.10).
IV. GOD IS OUR PRIMARY RESOURCE IN
SUFFERING
As with every aspect of the Christian life, God
is certainly our most important resource. What
He does for us usually comes to mind first, and
this is important. But who He is—His essential
identity and attributes—is at least as critical to us
when suffering, according to the word. His word
provides many descriptions of how relevant His
identity, attributes and ministry are to us in
suffering.
A. God’s Identity as a Resource in Suffering
Many of these descriptions come from the
Psalms, as David went through suffering, and
found the Lord’s ministry to Him through who
He is. For example, He is our. . .
1. Deliverer. Ps. 18.2
2. Fortress. Ps. 18.2
3. Guide. Ps. 48.14
4. Helper. Ps. 54.4
5. Hiding place. Ps. 32.7
6. Hope. Ps. 71.5
7. Horn of Salvation. Ps. 18.2
8. Joy and delight. Ps. 43.4
9. Mighty Rock. Ps. 62.7
10. Refuge. Ps. 46.1, 61.3
11. Shade on our right hand. Ps. 121.5
12. Shelter from the storm. Isa. 25.4
13. Shepherd and Overseer. 1 Pet. 2.25
14. Shield. Ps. 18.2
15. Source of strength. Isa. 28.6, Ps. 18.1
16. Stronghold. Ps. 18.2, 9.9, 37.39
B. God’s Character as a Resource
As with His identity, what God is like becomes a
great resource for us during times of suffering,
both objectively (through His grace to us), and
subjectively (as we focus on Him). Here are a few
descriptions of His character which are particularly
important to us in suffering.
1. He abounds in unfailing love. Neh. 9.17, Ps.
86.5, 103.8
2. He is full of compassion and mercy. James
5.11
3. He is faithful to all His promises. Ps. 145.3
4. He is kind. Rom. 11.22, Eph. 2.7, Tit. 3.4
5. His faithfulness will be our shield and
rampart. Ps. 91.4
6. His love is better than life. Ps. 63.3
7. He grace is sufficient for us. 2 Cor. 12.9
8. His power is made perfect in our weakness.
2 Cor. 12.9
9. His power shields us until the coming of
salvation in the last time. 1 Pet. 1.5
C. God’s Personal Responses to us
The Lord responds to us very personally when we
are suffering, with deep emotions and with
attentive eyes and ears. Here are some of the many
ways He responds to us.
1. He answers when we cry in anguish. Ps.
118.5
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2. His ears are attentive to our cry. Ps. 34.15
3. He cares for us. 1 Pet. 5.7
4. He has compassion on us. Deut. 32.6, Ps.
103.13
5. He hears our weeping, our cry. Ps. 6.8,
10.17, 18.6, 40.1
6. He hears our desire. Ps. 10.17
7. He is for us. Ps. 56.9, Rom. 8.31
8. He knows the anguish of our soul. Ps. 31.7
9. He remembers us. Ps. 115.12
10. He sees our affliction. Ps. 31.7
11. He sympathizes with our weaknesses. Heb.
4.15
12. In all our distress He too is distressed. Isa.
63.9
D. God’s Presence With Us in Suffering
1. His constant presence with us in times of
suffering is one of our greatest sources of
help and comfort. Over and over God
promises never to leave us, especially when
we are hurting.
2. He is with us. Ps. 46.7,11, 91.15
3. He is with us like a mighty warrior. Jer.
20.11
4. He is at our right hand. Ps. 18.28
5. He will never forsake us. Ps. 37.28, Heb.
13.5
6. His Spirit rests on us. 1 Pet. 4.14
7. He stands at our right hand when we are
needy. Ps. 109.31
8. He surrounds us. Ps. 125.2
9. He surrounds us with His favor as with a
shield. Ps. 5.12
10. His unfailing love surrounds us. Ps. 32.10
11. He watches over us. Ps. 32.8, 121.3-4,8-9,
145.20
E. God’s Ministry to Our Personal Needs
The Lord ministers to all of our personal needs in
time of suffering, out of His great care for us.
1. He bears our burdens daily. Ps. 68.19
2. He binds us up when we are brokenhearted.
Ps. 147.3, Isa. 61.1
3. He comforts us. Ps. 23.4, 71.21, 86.17, Isa.
49.13, Acts 9.31
4. He comforts us when we mourn and are
downcast. Isa. 61.2, 2 Cor. 7.6
5. He covers us with His feathers. Ps. 91.4
6. He crowns us with love and compassion. Ps.
103.4
7. He delivers our eyes from tears. Ps. 116.8
8. He delivers us from all our fears. Ps. 34.4,17
9. He encourages us when we are afflicted. Ps.
10.17
10. He establishes our heart. Ps. 2.17
11. His Holy Spirit gives us joy. 1 Thess. 1.6
12. His consolation brings joy to our soul. Ps.
94.19
13. He gives us comfort and joy instead of
sorrow. Jer. 31.13
14. He gives us courage. 1 Thess. 2.2
15. He gives us mercy and grace to help. Heb.
4.15
16. He gives us peace. Ps. 29.11, John 14.27,
Phil. 4.7
17. He gives us power and strength. Ps. 68.35
18. He gives us refuge under His wings. Ps.
91.14
19. He gives rest for our soul. Ps. 62.1,5, Matt.
11.28-30
20. He gives us strength when we are weary. Isa
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40.29
21. He will give us victory over death through
Christ. 1 Cor. 15.57
22. He guides our feet into the path of peace.
Lk. 1.79
23. He heals us when we are brokenhearted.
Ps. 147.3
24. He hides us in the shelter of His presence.
Ps. 31.10
25. He holds us by our right hand. Isa. 41.13
26. He holds us fast with His right hand. Ps.
139.10
27. He increases our power when we are weak.
Isa. 40.29
28. He is close to us when we are
brokenhearted. Ps. 34.18
29. He keeps our lamp burning. Ps. 18.28
30. He lifts up our head. Ps. 3.3
31. He lifts us when we are bowed down. Ps.
145.14
32. He makes us more than conquerors in
trials. Rom. 8.37
33. He makes us stand firm in Christ. 2 Cor.
1.21
34. He makes us strong, firm and steadfast. 1
Pet. 5.10
35. He promises peace to us. Ps. 85.8
36. He puts a new song in our mouth. Ps. 40.3
37. He quiets us with His love. Zeph. 3.17
38. He renews our inner nature daily. 2 Cor.
2.16
39. He restores us. Ps. 23.3, 1 Pet. 5.10
40. He says, “Do not fear, I will help you.”
Isa. 41.13
41. He sends times of refreshing. Acts 3.19
42. He strengthens us. Phil. 4.13, Col. 1.11
43. He surrounds us with songs of deliverance.
Ps. 32.7
44. His love supports us. Ps. 94.18
45. He sustains us. Ps. 3.5, 18.35, 54.4, 55.22
46. He teaches us wisdom when we are hurting.
Ps 51.6
47. He turns our darkness into light. Ps. 18.28
48. He upholds us. Ps. 37.17,24, 145.14, Isa.
41.10
F. God’s Deliverance in the Situation
God often intervenes on our behalf in difficult
situations, either to deliver us or to protect us.
1. He brings us into a spacious place. Ps. 18.19
2. He delivers us. Ps. 37.40
3. He delivers our feet from stumbling. Ps.
116.8
4. He delivers us from the hand of the wicked.
Ps. 98.10
5. He delivers us from trouble. Ps. 34.19, 54.7
6. He guides us with His hand. Ps. 139.10
7. He guards our life. Ps. 73. 24
8. He helps us. Ps. 28.7, 37.40, 86.17, 118.13,
121.2, Heb. 13.6
9. He keeps us from all harm. Ps. 121.7
10. He knows how to rescue us from trials. 2
Pet. 2.9
11. He lifts us out of the depths. Ps. 30.1
12. He lifts us out of the slimy pit. Ps. 40.1
13. He preserves us. Ps. 31.23
14. He protects us from the evil one. 2 Thess.
3.3
15. He protects us from trouble. Ps. 32.7
16. He ransoms us unharmed from the battle.
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9
Ps. 65.18
17. He reaches down and draws us out of deep
waters. Ps. 18.16
18. He redeems our life from the pit. Ps.
103.4
19. He rescues our life from the hands of the
wicked. Jer. 20.13
20. He rescues the godly from trial. 2 Pet. 2.9
21. He rescues us because He delights in us.
Ps. 18.19
22. He saves us out of all our troubles. Ps.
34.6
23. He saves us when we are crushed in spirit.
Ps. 34.18
24. He sets our feet on a rock, a firm place to
stand. Ps. 40.2
25. He sets us free when we are in anguish.
Ps. 118.5
26. He shields us for salvation. 1 Pet. 1.5
G. God’s Word as a Resource in Suffering
God’s word is one of our most powerful
resources in times of suffering. This study itself
is testimony to the exhaustive manner in which
the word deals with this issue. In addition, the
word testifies to itself as a resource, as
illustrated in these passages.
1. It revives our soul. Ps. 19.7
2. It comforts us. Psa 119.50,52
3. It encourages us. Rom 15.4
4. It gives us hope. Rom 15.4
5. It gives joy to our heart. Psa 19.8
6. It gives great peace to those who love it.
Psa. 119.165
V. HOW WE ARE TO RESPOND IN SUFFERING
God gives us many commands and examples of
how we are to respond when we suffer, both for
our benefit and for His glory. He also shows us
that even as His children we will experience
distress when we suffer.
A. Our Normal Human Responses to Suffering
Scripture provides abundant teaching on the
importance of allowing ourselves to respond with
normal human emotions. These emotional
responses in no way indicate lack of spirituality. In
fact, to deny them can cause great damage to
ourselves. Perhaps this is why the Lord gives us so
many examples in His word. Only a very few
examples are mentioned here, from the lives of
Jesus, David and Paul. Study the word for other
examples. Notice that there no indication that these
emotional responses are wrong.
1. Jesus. As He anticipated being crucified He
felt:
a. deeply distressed and troubled. Mark 14.33
b. overwhelmed with sorrow. Mt. 26.38,
Mark 14.34
c. distressed. Luke 12.50
d. troubled in heart and in spirit. John 12.25,
13.21
2. Paul. Paul experienced many painful
emotions, including:
a. anguish of heart. 2 Cor. 2.4
b. anxiety. Phil. 2.28
c. great distress. 2 Cor. 2.4
d. fear. 2 Cor. 11.3, 7.5, 12.20
e. grief. 2 Cor. 12.21
3. David. A few of David’s emotional responses
to suffering were:
a. agony. Ps. 6.2
b. anguish. Ps. 6.3, 31.10
c. distress. Ps. 4.1, 18.6
d. fear. Ps. 34.4
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e. grief. Ps. 31.9
f. groaning. Ps. 22.1
g. sorrow. Ps. 6.7, 13.2, 31.9
h. weeping. Ps. 6.6
B. How to Respond to God During Suffering
God’s word says much by command and
example about how we are to respond to Him
when suffering. This is a critical issue, and one
about which we need to know God’s heart, in
order to please Him and handle suffering well.
Here are some ways to respond to Him:
1. Acknowledge His name. Ps. 91.14
2. Ask Him to strengthen us according to His
word. Ps. 119.28
3. Be still before the Lord. Ps. 37.7
4. Cast all our anxiety on Him. 1 Pet. 5.7
5. Cast our cares on Him. Ps. 55.22
6. Call on Him. Ps. 17.6, 91.15
7. Cling to Him (our soul). Ps. 63.8
8. Come to Jesus when we are weary and
burdened. Matt. 11.28
9. Commit ourselves to our Faithful Creator. 1
Pet. 4.19
10. Commit our spirit into His hands. Ps. 31.5
11. Commit our way to the Lord. Ps. 37.5
12. Consider all His mighty deeds. Ps. 77.12
13. Consider Christ who endured, so we won’t
grow weary or lose heart. Heb. 12.3
14. Cry aloud to Him. Ps. 3.4
15. Cry out in distress to Him. Ps. 55.17
16. Cry to Him for help. Ps. 18.6
17. Dwell in the shelter of the Most High. Ps.
91.1
18. Examine our ways and test them, and
return to the Lord. Lam. 3.40
19. Find rest for our soul in God alone. Ps.
62.1,5
20. Fix our eyes on the Sovereign Lord. Ps.
141.8
21. Fix our eyes on Jesus. Heb. 12.2
22. Glorify Him with thanksgiving. Ps. 69.30
23. Hide ourselves in Him. Ps. 143.9
24. Hope in Him. Ps. 37.9, 42.5
25. Keep His ways. Ps. 18.21
26. Keep our eyes on Him. Ps. 25.15
27. Lift up our soul to Him. Ps. 25.1, 143.8
28. Love Him. Ps. 91.14
29. Make Him our stronghold. Ps. 52.7
30. Make the Most High our dwelling. Ps. 91.9-
10
31. Meditate on all His works. Ps. 77.12, 143.5
32. Pour out our complaint before Him. Ps.
142.2
33. Pour out our hearts to Him. Ps. 62.8
34. Praise Him. Ps. 18.46,49, 71.14
35. Praise God that we bear the name Christian.
1 Pet. 4.16
36. Praise His name in song. Ps. 69.30
37. Pray. James 5.13, Ps. 69.13
38. Rejoice and leap for joy when we suffer for
Christ, for great is our reward in heaven.
Lk. 6.23
39. Rejoice in His salvation. Ps. 13.5
40. Remember Him when our soul is downcast.
Ps. 42.6
41. Remember His deeds and His miracles. Ps.
77.11
42. Remember His great love, unfailing
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11
compassion and great faithfulness. Lam.
3.21-23
43. Seek the Lord. Ps. 34.4, 63.1
44. Set apart Christ as Lord in our hearts. 1
Pet. 3.15
45. Set our hope on Him. 2 Cor. 1.10
46. Sing to the Lord. Ps. 13.6
47. Sing of His strength and love. Ps. 59.16
48. Speak of His righteousness and praises all
day long. Ps. 35.28
49. Speak of His faithfulness and salvation.
Ps. 40.10
50. Take refuge in Him. Ps. 5.11, 7.1, 11.1
51. Tell Him our trouble. Ps. 142.2
52. Trust in Him. Ps. 25.2, 31.14, John 14.1
53. Trust in His unfailing love. Ps. 13.5
54. Trust in His word. Ps. 119.42
55. Trust in the name of the Lord. Ps. 20.7,
33.21
56. Wait for the Lord. Ps. 27.14
57. Wait in hope for the Lord. Ps. 33.20
58. Wait patiently for Him. Ps. 37.7, 40.1
59. Wait quietly for His salvation. Lam. 3.26
60. Watch for God our Strength. Ps. 59.9
C. Ways to Talk to God When Suffering
In hard times our first response is usually to ask
God for help and to get us out of the situation.
And this is a healthy, biblical response. But we
often forget to talk to Him in other ways.
Scriptures give us many examples of how to talk
to Him when we’re suffering. Here a just a few
examples from the Psalms. I encourage you to
study these and others you will find in the word.
1. I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my
God. My times are in your hands...” Ps.
31.14-15
2. You are my hiding place. Ps. 32.7
3. I wait for you, O Lord; you will answer, O
Lord my God. Ps. 38.15
4. You are my help and my deliverer. Ps. 40.17
5. When I am afraid I will trust in you. Ps. 56.3
6. In you my soul takes refuge. Ps. 57.1
7. You are my fortress, my refuge in times of
trouble. O my Strength, I sing praise to
you... Ps. 57.16-17
8. O my Strength, I watch for you. You, O God
are my fortress, my loving God. Ps. 59.9-10
9. Show me the way to go, for to You I lift up
my soul. Ps. 143.8
D. Ways to Talk to Ourselves When Suffering
Most of us know that our self-talk greatly
determines our attitudes in any situation. What we
say to ourselves does make a difference in how we
handle suffering. Self-talk that takes our eyes off
the problems and focuses on God is very powerful.
Here are a few examples of healthy, God-honoring
self-talk during suffering. I encourage you to learn
some of these Scriptures to quote when under trial.
1. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my
heart trusts in Him and I am helped. My heart
leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in
song. Ps. 28.7
2. Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so
disturbed within me? Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my
God. Ps. 42.5
3. My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation
comes from Him. He alone is my rock and
my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never
be shaken. Ps. 62.1
4. Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope
comes from Him. Ps. 62.5
5. I will praise God’s name in song, and glorify
Him with thanksgiving. Ps. 69.30
6. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have
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12
hope: Because of the Lord’s great love
we are not consumed, for his
compassions never fail. They are new
every morning; great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for Him.” Lam.
3.21-24.
E. Other Ways to Respond During Suffering
This is a very fruitful area of teaching in God’s
word. We handle suffering better when we
respond in the ways He has taught us. Being
able to endure relates directly to how well we
learn what He has to say about this, and how
faithful and diligent we are to apply His
teaching.
1. Arm ourselves with Christ’s attitude to
suffering. 1 Pet. 4.1
2. Bear up under the pain of unjust suffering,
conscious of God. 1 Pet. 2.19
3. Be alert for Satan’s attacks. 1 Pet. 5.8
4. Be content. 2 Cor. 12.10, Phil. 4.11-12
5. Be faithful. Rev. 13.10, 14.12
6. Be glad and rejoice in His love. Ps. 31.7
7. Be glad as we take refuge in Him. Ps. 5.11
8. Be patient in affliction. Rom. 12.12
9. Be strong and take heart. Ps. 31.24
10. Be upright in heart. Ps. 97.11
11. Consider our sufferings not worth
comparing with the glory to be revealed to
us. Rom. 8.18
12. Delight in hardships, persecutions and
difficulties for the sake of Christ. 2 Cor.
12.10
13. Do good. Ps. 37.3, 1 Pet. 4.19
14. Endure hardship as discipline. Heb. 12.7
See Rev. 2.3
15. Endure hardship as good soldiers of Christ.
2 Tim. 2.3, 4.5
16. Endure when suffering for doing good. 1 Pet.
2.20
17. Entrust ourselves to Him who judges justly.
1 Pet. 2.23
18. Fix our eyes on what is unseen, for it is
eternal. 2 Cor. 4.18
19. Hold unswervingly to the hope we profess.
Heb. 10.23
20. Joyfully accept the loss of our possessions.
Heb. 10.34
21. Long for a better country, a heavenly one.
Heb. 11.16
22. Live by faith during suffering. Heb. Chapter
11
23. Patiently endure. Rev. 13.10
24. Persevere. Heb. 10.36, James 1.12, 5.10-11,
Rev. 2.3
25. Prepare our minds for action. 1 Pet. 1.13
26. Rejoice in our sufferings. Rom. 5.3, James
1.2
27. Resist the devil, standing firm in our faith. 1
Pet. 5.9
28. Rejoice that we participate in Christ’s
sufferings. 1 Pet. 4.13
29. Run with perseverance the race mark ed out
for us. Heb. 12.2
30. Set our hope fully on the grace to be given
when Christ is revealed. 1 Pet. 1.13
31. Sing for joy as we take refuge in Him. Ps.
5.11
32. Strengthen our feeble arms and weak knees.
Heb. 12.12
33. Throw off everything that hinders, and sin...
Heb. 12.1
34. Turn from evil. Ps. 37.27
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13
F. How Not to Respond During Suffering
The Lord not only teaches us how to respond,
but now not to respond when we are suffering.
Here are some ways He mentions.
1. Don’t be afraid, for He is with us. Isa.
41.10. See John 14.27, 1 Pet. 3.14
2. Don’t be ashamed to suffer as a Christian.
1 Pet. 4.16
3. Don’t be dismayed, for He is our God. Isa.
41.10
4. Don’t be fainthearted, because the Lord
goes with us. Deut. 20.3
5. Don’t be overcome by evil; overcome evil
with good. Rom. 12.21
6. Don’t be surprised at painful trials, as
though something strange were happening
to us. 1 Pet. 4.12
7. Don’t complain. Num. 11.1
8. Don’t disown God. 2 Tim. 2.12
9. Don’t do evil by turning away from God.
Ps. 18.21
10. Don’t fret, because it leads only to evil. Ps.
37.8
11. Don’t fret when the wicked succeed. Ps.
37.7
12. Don’t get angry. Ps. 37.8
13. Don’t grumble. Ps. 106.25
14. Don’t let our hearts be troubled. John 14.1
15. Don’t shrink back. Heb. 10.39
16. Don’t throw away our confidence. Heb.
10.35
G. How to Relate to God’s Word in Suffering
God’s word is a wonderful resource when we are
hurting. But we must consciously make use of it,
in ways the Lord shows us in it. Here are some
ways God teaches us to relate to His word.
1. Delight in it. Ps. 119.92,143
2. Don’t forget it. Ps. 119.61,83,109
3. Don’t forsake it. Ps. 119.87
4. Don’t stray from it. Ps. 119.110,157
5. Find comfort in it. Ps. 119.52
6. Keep His commands. Ps. 119.115
7. Hope in it. Ps. 119.81,114, 130.5
8. Let His promises comfort us in suffering. Ps.
119.50
9. Love it. Ps. 119.165
10. Meditate on it. Ps. 119.78
11. Ponder it. Ps. 119.95
12. Remember the word of encouragement. Heb.
12.5
13. See the promises and welcome them from a
distance. Heb. 11.1
14. Tremble at it. Ps. 119.161
H. How to Minister and be Ministered to
During Suffering
God never intended that we suffer alone. He
designed the body of Christ in such a way that w e
are to minister to each other’s needs. 1 Cor.
12.24-26 says in part, “But God has combined the
members of the body . . . so that its parts should
have equal concern for each other. If one part
suffers, every part suffers with it . . .” See Rom.
12.4 and 1 Cor. 12.12-27. We not only need to
consider how we receive help from others, but
how we can reach out to them when they are going
through difficult times. Here are a few examples
of ways we can give and receive care during
suffering. See the “one another” passages for
others.
1. We can cheer up the anxious with a kind
word. Prov. 12.25
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14
2. We can sustain the weary with a word. Isa.
50.4
3. Pleasant words are sweet to our soul and
healing to our bones. Prov. 16.24
4. We can carry others’s burdens and allow
them to carry ours. Gal. 6.2
5. We can comfort and be comforted by
others. 2 Cor. 1.3-4
6. We can encourage and be encouraged by
others. Heb. 3.13, 12.25, 1 Thess. 5.14
7. We can help in practical ways, and let them
help us. 2 Tim. 1.18
8. We can help the weak and receive help
when we are weak. 1 Thess. 5.14
9. We can mourn with others and allow them
to mourn with us. Rom. 12.15
10. We can pray and be prayed for by others. 2
Cor. 1.10-11
11. We can refresh and be refreshed by others.
2 Cor. 7.13, 2 Tim. 1.16
12. We can share in their troubles by meeting
needs. Phil. 4.14-15
13. We can sympathize with others, and let
them sympathize with us. Heb. 10.34
I. How to Avoid Bringing Suffering on Others
Unfortunately, a significant part of suffering
from believers comes from fellow Christians.
This can especially be true in cross-cultural
situations. Let’s be sure we aren’t the cause of
others’ suffering! Here are just a few things the
word tells us to avoid in order to not cause
others to hurt.
1. Don’t be “miserable comforters” by
preaching, condemning, etc. Job 15.2
2. Don’t bite and devour each other. Gal. 5.15
3. Don’t gossip about each other. Proverbs
11.13, 16.20, 16.28
4. Don’t grumble against each other. James 5.9
5. Don’t hate each other. Tit. 3.3
6. Don’t judge each other. Rom. 2.1-3, 14.4,
14.13
7. Don’t lie to each other. Col. 3.9
8. Don’t provoke and envy each other. Gal.
5.26
9. Don’t show favoritism. James 2.1
10. Don’t slander or speak against each other.
Titus 3.1-2, James 4.11, 1 Pet. 2.1
J. How to Relate to Those Who Cause Our
Suffering
1. Be on our guard. 2 Tim. 4.15
2. Bless them. Lk. 6.28, Rom. 12.14, 1 Pet. 3.9
3. Do good to them. Lk. 6.27,35
4. Don’t be afraid of them. Mt. 10.26,28
5. Don’t curse them. Rom. 12.14
6. Don’t fear their threats. 1 Pet. 3.14
7. Don’t repay evil for evil. Rom. 12.17, 1
Thess. 5.15
8. Don’t repay insult with insult. 1 Pet. 3.9
9. Don’t resist them. Mt. 5.39
10. Don’t take revenge. Rom. 12.19
11. Forgive them. Lk 23.34, Acts 7.60
12. Love them. Mt. 5.44, Lk. 6.27-28
13. Turn the other cheek. Lk. 6.29
K. SUMMARY
Serving God in cross-cultural situations increases
the probability that we will suffer. This means we
need to be “experts” in understanding God’s view
of suffering, and in knowing how to suffer
according to biblical principles. Many Scriptures
have been presented to give you a better biblical
view of sufferings. To make greatest use of them,
Toward a Biblical View of Suffering
15
I encourage you to consider following these
steps.
1. Use this study as a checklist, to discover
areas of suffering you may need to grow in
understanding, or in applying God’s word.
Go through the study and prayerfully look
for these areas. For example, you may
discover that you need to grow in
responding better when you are suffering.
2. Look up the Scriptures noted in a specific
area. Study and meditate on them in context.
Prayerfully consider ways you can apply the
principles, or grow in your understanding of
them.
3. Engage in additional study in that area.
Begin by discovering other Scriptures to
study and meditate on. Then you might want
to look for books which speak to the issue.
4. Begin to keep a journal related to suffering.
For example, If you are looking at relating
to God during suffering, write down how
you relate to Him when you are hurting, and
in what specific ways you might relate to
Him more effectively. Keep a record of how
your heart responds as you relate to Him in
different ways.
Suggested Reading
Many books have been written on suffering.
Some of these may be helpful to those who are
suffering. But remember that God’s word should
be our first recourse, and primary source of
wisdom on the subject.
Baker, Don, Pain’s Hidden Purpose. Multnomah
Press, 1984.
Bridges, J., Trusting God. Nav Press, 1988.
Carlson, Dwight and Wood, Susan, When Life
Isn’t Fair. Harvest House, 1989.
Carson, D. A., How Long, O Lord, Reflections
on Suffering & Evil. Baker, 1990.
Davis, Ron, Courage to Begin Again. Harvest
House, 1988.
Dobson, J., When God Doesn't Make Sens e.
Tyndale, 1993.
Dunn, Ronald, When Heaven is Silent. Nelson,
1994.
Hicks, Robert, Failure to Scream. Thomas Nelson,
1993.
Lewis, C.S., The Problem of Pain. McMillan,
1969.
Parker, The Gift of Doubt. Harper & Row, 1990.
Phillips, J.B., Your God is Too Small. MacMillan,
1987.
Ryan, Juanita, Standing By. Tyndale, 1985.
Schaeffer, Edith, Affliction. Revell, 1978.
Sproul, R.C., Surprised by Suffering. Tyndale
House, 1989.
Swartz, David, Dancing With Broken Bones.
NavPress, 1987.
Yancey, Phillip, Disappointment with God.
Zondervan, 1988.
Yancy, Philip, Where is God When it Hurts.
Campus Life Books, 1981.
This paper may be copied and used without permission of the author.
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