Thoughts about suffering....

[Abiding in His Word]

I was thinking this might be an interesting and hopefully beneficial discussion. Does God orchestrate suffering in our lives? In other words, do you think suffering and dire circumstances we encounter originate from Him? Or are they the result of living in a sinful, loathesome, difficult environment (world)?

Does God use those situations and if so, what is the desired result?

Have you experienced suffering (physical or emotional) and/or dire, hopeless situations and looking back seen some spiritual fruit or a deeper trust in Him as a result?

I'd love to your thoughts....no debates or disagreements if you don't mind....just personal experiences of this nature resulting in spiritual growth.

[lamb7]

Just wanted you to know, Abiding, that I did read this. My answer would take an essay. lol. But, I do intend to post. I know there may be a few who might want to know something a bit more personal about me. (who is that person who keeps posting here???)

I could "kill two birds with one stone". Although my intention would be to hopefully bless any who may be going though the same thing I did and who could still be living in the despair of such a life. I am living proof that such a life can bring forth the joy of the Lord...poking a finger in the eye of any who would have wished me to fall. Take that

Studying and research takes a lot out of me. I sometimes think that the demand to throw off everything from this life, in order to pick up our crosses and follow Jesus was meant for our benefit. For to be able to convey our lives and the Word takes a lot of work and dedication and to have anything else to carry might hinder that task, although we all seem to trudge through nevertheless. Also to stay single. Again, another word of wisdom to help us in our walk, although many take it out of context.

Our lives are so full of "stuff" that it is hard to step away and give of ourselves the way we would like to. It is that way for me right now and I hate it.

So, I promise to try and give to the board the way so many of you have (and blessed me and others I'm sure) with my story of exactly what you ask.


Until that day, which I hope is soon,


In Christ,
lamb

[SwordofGideon]

I don't believe God orchestrates suffering, tho he may bring about uncomfortable circumstances to bring forth positive changes in us. It's usually during those difficult times that we turn to God and earnestly seek him the most. We all experience suffering as we live in a fallen world. It rains on the just and unjust. However living in an imperfect world does give us a unique perspective. How else could we develop characteristics like faith and perseverance or understand the depth of God's grace and mercy.

[Sunny]

Abiding, I definitely believe that God orchestrates suffering to build faith and character in us... and sometimes for the benefit of other people.

I am suffering with a pretty horrible condition right now, but I KNOW it is a test. Will I continue to trust Him when it looks like He isn't keeping His promises to me?

The answer is a definite yes... because I can look back on other impossible situations that He allowed me to get into and then brought me out of with increased faith, patience, perseverance and trust.

And then there is suffering that God uses to benefit other people. My Dad was a man after God's own heart, and walked with the Lord and served Him faithfully for years. The one thing Dad asked of God was that when it came time for him to die, that he would not suffer.

He suffered horribly... from prostate cancer turned to bone cancer. But during his suffering and hospitalization, THREE of my family members were saved. That would not have happened if he had passed peacefully and easily, as he had requested.

I'm sure now that Dad feels that his suffering was well worth what it cost him.

[extravagantchristian]

I think sometimes God puts us in circumstances where He knows we are going to fail, in order to punish us, so that we can eventualy learn and grow.

Like with Peter, Jesus warned him ahead of time, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

I think God arranged that to happen for a purpose, so that Peter would grow and be able to strengthen his brethren with his message of God's faithfulness. You never really understand the depth of God's faithfulness until you experience it for yourself.

[Mrs. B]

Re: Thoughts about suffering.....



I Peter 2:19....For this is Thankworthy...if a man for conscience toward God endure Grief, SUFFERING WRONGFULLY.

20....For What Glory is it, When Ye be Buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently?
But if, when ye do well.....and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, This is Acceptable with God.

21....For even Hereunto were ye called:
Because Christ also suffered for us......leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps;

22.....Who did No Sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

23....Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again;
when he Suffered, he threated not; but committed Himself to Him that Judgeth Righteously:


3:14....But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye;
and be not aftaid of their terror, neither be troubled;

18...For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, The Just for the Unjust, that He might bring us to God,
being put to death in the flesh....But Quickened (or made a live) by the Spirit:


4:1....Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, Arm Yourselves Likewise with the Same Mind:
for he that hath suffered, in the flesh...hath ceased from sin;

2....That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh...to the lusts of men, But to the Will of God....

19....Wherefore let them that suffer according to the Will of God....Commit the Keeping of their Souls to Him in Well Doing, as unto a Faithful Creator......


5:10....But the God of All Grace....Who hath Called Us unto His Eternal Glory by Christ Jesus, After that ye have suffered a While, Make You Perfect...Stablish, strengthen, Settle you...

11....To Him Be Glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Jesus said.....He that endureth unto the end shall be saved.....suffering is a part of our overcoming and growing up spiritually.....



Mrs. B

[plalgum]

I would just like to say that i am not qualified to wax lyrically about suffering,mainly because during suffering one does not feel that heroic about ones trials and ordeals.I am a coward to suffering.and any brave faces is only 1% of my demeanure,the other 99% is hiding away and feeling sorry for one self.However if you are suffering for Jesus i beleive that there is a joy,call it what you will "badge of honour" or a feeling of martyrdom,sharing with our Lords cause in this world,but the suffering that to me is the worst is suffering for nothing.At least we as Christians can turn our sufferings,whether cancer,bereavment,injury........Into something that we can gloryfy the Lord with,just as the previous poster stated about their father with bone cancer was able to do.
I feel that because death and desease came into this world through sin,that we are able to claim any suffering that are caused by this, in the name and cause of Christ, and gloryfy him through this.You dont have to be a missonary in a far of land to claim that you suffered for christ.