A. QUESTIONS ABOUT SUFFERING
1. Isn’t suffering the work of satan?
2. Since God is completely good, how could He use suffering?
3. Since God wants to bless His children, why does He allow them to suffer?
4. Why pain and sorrow since God never glorifies them?
5. Has Christ asked us to buy with tears what He has paid for?
6. Couldn’t God eliminate suffering in our life? So why doesn’t He?
7. Since suffering comes from satan, why doesn’t God deliver us?
B. BIBLICAL TEACHING ON SUFFERING
“Don’t hide from tests and hardships, as painful as they may be. You will ultimately find happiness in what they teach you. Learn from them and your faith will blossom under suffering. You will learn patience and endurance to run the race God has for you. You will cross heaven’s finish line more mature, stronger and wiser” (James 1:2-3, ELT).
Rejoice in the salvation God has given you, even though you now suffer various trials. These tests are more valuable than gold (remember the best gold is purified by the fires of purification) because your faith will be genuine and you will receive praise, and honor when Jesus comes for you” (1 Peter 1:6-7, ELT).
Don’t be surprised at your sufferings, thinking they are strange or unusual. Remember, Jesus had to suffer and when He comes, you’ll be happy because you followed His example. If anyone persecutes you for following Jesus, consider yourself blessed because the Spirit of God is resting on you . . . it is no disgrace to suffer as a believer, knowing you didn’t do wrong. Praise God that you can identify with Jesus (1 Peter 4:12-14, ELT).
C. WHY SUFFERING?
1. Pain and suffering come from the curse. “Because you disobeyed Me and ate the fruit . . . you will have children in pain . . . I have placed a curse on the whole earth, and growing things . . . you will struggle to make a living . . . you will sweat until your dying days” (Gen. 3:14-19, Amplified).
2. We can’t avoid dying, probably in pain.
3. God does not enjoy the suffering of people. “I do not enjoy seeing you die,” the Lord God says. “Turn, turn and live!” (Ezekiel 18:32, LB).
4. The Christian life is not Disneyland, but a struggle against sin and satan.
5. God will allow us to live in a sinful world as a test, and He will allow us to feel the sting of sin to motivate us to learn from it.
6. God wants us to hate sin and love Him.
7. God wants us to be holy and separate from sin while putting Him first in everything.
8. God wants to be number one in our life.
9. Our pain and suffering are not God’s primary focus for us.
10. Our comfort and pleasure is also not God’s primary focus.
11. God doesn’t originate suffering, He permits it.
12. Satan is stealthful in bringing pain.
13. You must carry this heavy burden six blocks. You rebel until you find it’s your sick child.
14. Little boy asked, “When do I get a wheelchair?” He doesn’t understand the pain to earn the right to ride in it.
D. WHAT CAN WE LEARN?
1. God has a specific plan for each believer. “That you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Rom. 12:2, NKJV).
a. God doesn’t have a hands off policy.
b. God doesn’t just send trouble in general.
c. God doesn’t evenly distribute trials to every believer.
d. Nothing happens by accident, even suffering.
2. How can a loving God allow pain?
a. God would not hurt us to cause us pain, but He will allow suffering to make us better.
b. God gives us good things to enjoy and to glorify Himself.
c. God’s wisdom understands our pain, while God’s love helps us through it.
d. God will never allow satan to unrestrictedly punish a believer.
3. God screens or allows suffering for each.
a. Suffering is allowed to accomplish His plan.
b. God looks at the end destination, not just the journey. Suffering prepares us for a heavenly home.
c. We don’t know why God does what He does.
d. We don’t know why we have difficulties and suffering but we will understand in heaven.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
All PBC lessons are available online at trbc.org/pbc. Go to www.Hopenow.tv for the current program schedule.
www.itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/dr-elmer-towns
Dr. Towns' email is ELTowns@liberty.edu
Dr. Towns’ web address is www.elmertowns.com
