§
God
as a loving, caring, and omnipotent Father will never allow His children to
suffer for no reasons. Yet, He sometimes permits His children to suffer (Ac
14:22) because of benefits.
A. Suffering is an avoidable part of
life. (1) Suffering is a natural
consequence of being human, including Christians. (2) Suffering is also a natural consequence of being a Christian
(1Pe 2:21). Christians may be persecuted because of their faith (Mt 5:11-12; Lk
3:16; 2Ti 3:12).
B. Suffering can have positive
effects for the Christian who suffers. It has educational value for spiritual
and psychological growth. It is a refining process for deeper faith (1Pe
1:6-7).
► C.S. Lewis says, “God whispers to us
in our pleasure, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His
megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”
(1) Training
(rebuke) and purification: [1] Force us to leave sin, repent and be holy; [2] Prove
that God still loves (Heb 12:5-6,11; Rev 3:19).
(2) Humility
and reliance: [1] Keep us from pride; keep us humble (2Co 12:10); keep us out
of illusory contentment; [2] Force us to break down self-reliance and rely on
God; [3] Force us to obey and receive subsequent blessings (Rom 8:17).
(3) Strength
and steadfastness: [1] Strengthen moral character, such as courage and higher
tolerance; [2] Produce steadfastness and patience (Jas 1:3-4); [3] Remind us of
Christ’s suffering for us.
(4) Compassion
and empathy: Help one to learn compassion, sympathy for suffering people, and
self-sacrifice in providing help.
(5) Hope:
[1] Cause us to look beyond this brief life; remind us that the world is not
our permanent home and we should not love the world (Heb 11:13-16; 13:14);
[2] Help us to reconsider the true
meaning and value of life, the changeability of the world and the
non-changeability of God
C. Suffering may be beneficial for
others.
(1) Evangelism:
[1] Suffering leads to conversion; persecution leads to evangelization. For example,
martyrs in early church demonstrated their courage in facing death for their
faith attracted many non-believers to seek the gospel. [2] A non-believing
person is forced by suffering (such as terminal illness) to think about meaning
of life and may subsequently come to Christ.
(2) Witness:
Our courage in encountering suffering with peace (even joy) can demonstrate our
faith to non-believers and attract them to the gospel. It can also encourage
other Christians.
(3) Ability
to help: One’s suffering will enable one to later comfort others who have
similar sufferings (2Co 1:3-5). Those who suffer are more willing to listen to
someone who suffered in the past.
(4) Fellowship:
[1] The fellowship will be stronger after passing through the same suffering together,
including praying, spiritual encouragement, emotional support, practical help.
[2] Tragedy is often what binds hearts together, forces people to overcome
differences and causes individuals to truly appreciate each other.
D. Sufferings sometimes give God the
opportunity to demonstrate His power (Jn 9:1-3; 11:4), thus bringing glory to
God and affirming the sovereignty of God.
e. Because of the above four reasons, God permits us to suffer. Yet, even during our suffering, God’s love is always with us (Rom 8:38-39); God’s grace is sufficient (2Co 12:9); all things work together for the good (Rom 8:28).
F. It is important that we should
not simply emphasize the benefits of suffering. Suffering can also break the
spirit, destroy the character, and sap the energy for spiritual growth.
§
Suffering
could be a temptation from Satan, or it could turn into a temptation.
A. Three sources of temptation (see
temptation of Jesus in Mt 4:1-10): [1] Satan the tempter (through subconscious
suggestions, 1Th 3:5); [2] ourselves (from our own desires, Jas 1:14; 1Ti 6:9);
[3] the world (visible suggestions from our surroundings, 1Jn 2:15-16)
B. God is never the source of
temptation (Jas 1:13). He will only permit those temptations that we can bear
and He promised to provide a way out (1Co 10:13).
C. Sometimes, suffering can turn
into a stumbling block to our spiritual journey (for example, blaming God) and
in effect becomes a temptation.
§
Most
important attitude: Do not blame God or man but rely on God.
A. General attitude: [1] Avoid the
suffering that can be avoided rightly. [2] Remedy the suffering that can be
remedied rightly. [3] Accept and make use of the suffering that, without doing
evil, can neither be avoided nor remedied.
B. Passive actions: [1] Must avoid
improper reaction: blame men (or self), blame God, feel helpless; [2] Stop
wrong attitudes, such as attitude of “hang on to” something; [3] Dispel feeling
of unfairness; forgive those who hurt us; [4] Clear up own sins
C. Active actions: [1] Remember how
Christ also suffered (Isa 53:4-5; Heb 2:18; 1Pe 2:21); [2] Think of suffering
as following Christ’s suffering (Mt 16:24; Php 3:10); [3] Find values in
suffering and be joyful (Php 4:4; Rom 12:12)
D. Rely on God: [1] Remember that
God’s love is always with us in sufferings (Ro 8:38-39; Mt 5:4); [2] Hold onto
God’s promise: He is our refuge (Ps 46:1), our strength (Ps 28:7), our shepherd
(Ps 23:1; Isa 40:11); [3] Be assured that God’s grace is sufficient (2Co 12:9);
[4] Abandon self (Gal 2:19-20) to the will of God (letting-go, not hanging-on,
Job 1:21); [5] Think about the glorious future that God prepared for us (2Co
4:16-5:3; Ro 8:18; Rev 21:4).
§ Ask for God’s guidance and use your wisdom to select the appropriate actions.
A. Be available: visit the suffering person, only if it is agreeable as some suffering persons prefer not to see visitors. If so, do not insist.
B. Share the suffering: remain with the person and stay quiet. (Job 2:12-13)
C. Be sensitive: do not ask questions about causes and details of suffering. If the person shares about the suffering, listen patiently and attentively but do not ask questions. (Job 16:1-4)
D. Offer support: where appropriate, offer verbal support (encouragement) and offer practical help (share the required work such as chores and transportation).
E. Read the Bible: when appropriate, ask for permission to read the Bible together.
F. Offer to pray together: ask God for strength (to overcome the suffering) and for deliverance.