6 Reasons Why Suffering In the Life of Believers
Perhaps one of the greatest mysteries or questions that we as believers face is why is there still so much suffering? Didn’t Christ say “come unto me and I will give you rest”? (Matthew 11: 28) Didn’t God promise that “3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds” Psalm 147? Yet, Paul wrote concerning the Christian that “8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4). So, what is Paul talking about? When I am cut do I not bleed? Troubled on every side, but no distress? If I am distressed does that mean I have failed in my faith? Are all these trials a punishment for my sin? Or can there be other reasons?
Artwork used by permission of the artist Ronald Barba for information go to http://www.barba-art.com
[bctt tweet=”If anguish forces me to turn & look at the cross Could it be storms in my life are God’s Grace?”]
A STUDENT OF SUFFERING
My life has not been exempt to sorrow. Indeed, trials have always been present in one sense or another as a part of this my journey, my pilgrimage. I have not been a stranger to emotional and physical abuse, cancer, chronic illness, financial disaster, multiple surgeries, false accusations, tragedies, death of those I loved most, and periods of desperate loneliness. Beyond the sufferings from outside, there have been those torments from within. I mean by that the sufferings deep within the heart. Those moments of feeling unworthy, guilt laden and that fear of failing. I tell you all this very honestly to allow you to know that I have been a student of suffering and as such have learned that there are 6 reasons that God allows suffering in the life of the Believer. All six reasons that God allows suffering in the life of the believer are acts of Grace born out of God’s perfect Love. Through suffering He leads and guides us to a place of Glory, Peace, Hope, and Exceeding Joy.
The six reasons why God allows and even ordains suffering in the life of the Believer are as follows.
1. We live in a fallen world. Jesus prayed to the Father in John 17: “14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.” We are journeying through as pilgrims in a world of evil, the sorrow of which will touch our hearts. But Christ has prayed for us and continues to intercede for us that even though we may be touched by the sorrow around us we will not be overtaken by Satan as God’s hedge of protection is around our souls. For that reason, Christ admonished us to “fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul:” (Matthew 10:28) Our eternal security is held firm because of Christ so that even if this body suffer or perish we have eternal life in the presence of Christ.
2. As a direct consequence of our own actions (not a punishment merely a direct reaction for our action) Examples of this are: Lung Cancer because we chose to smoke, Cirrhosis of the Liver because we chose to drink, HIV because of promiscuity or IV drug use, imprisonment because we chose to steal, loss of job due to laziness, and the list goes on. . Let me help you understand the direct consequence factor. Look at David when he had sinned and Nathan came before him to help David face and repent of His sin. The scripture records: “13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said unto David, The Lord also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.” Though as a Christian our sins are covered by the cross, we still must face the consequences of those sins. Certainly there are those who have never done any of those things and still suffer these very consequences; but again that would fall under #1: We do live in a fallen world.
3. To turn us around from a dangerous path which would lead to our destruction were we to continue on. Sometimes this may be a path we started down out of rebellion, sometimes out of ignorance of His will, and sometimes it may be the path that He desires; but we have run ahead of God before He has prepared the way. In any case, He would not be a loving Father were He to not step in our way and turn us around. God said in Jeremiah 31, “9 They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father”
4. To grow us up. Romans 5:”3 we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. “We are often too content with remaining infants in Christ were it not for trials that push us to grow in our faith.
5. For the good of the kingdom. Let us look once more at what Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4: If we look at the verses before and following those listed above we would see. “3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us…10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.” There is no greater picture of Christ to the world than a sweet, gentle Christian who in the midst of horrendous trials walks on with joy, peace, hope and faith. Paul knew this, remember he had witnessed the death of Stephen which was forever imprinted in his mind and heart.
6. To develop intimacy with Christ. How content are we to live our lives clinging to counterfeit joys when the greatest treasure and joy we could ever know is God. Would I ever let go of the counterfeit joys and seek His marvelous face if He did not rip the counterfeit things from my hand. We are so much like small Children content with our sandbox when the beach is just beyond our immediate site. Philippians 3: “7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;”
Suffering comes in many forms and varies with each individual. For some the sheer worry that they might be late to an appointment becomes so intense as to cause great emotional distress. For another, they may be living with chronic pain and physical suffering. Another may have been born with an emotional illness so intense as to interfere with their ability to ever experience joy. Some have been subjected to intense abuse both physical and mental. In another instance, one may be facing severe ridicule due to their economic or physical differences.[bctt tweet=”One common thread on this earth, sometime & to some degree everyone will suffer loss or pain.”] The Good News is God loves you and will not allow one instant of suffering in your life but what it is there for a Divine purpose of love, glory, and Grace. [bctt tweet=”It is God’s everlasting Love that draws us through the darkest valleys into Glory & Joy”] Jeremiah 31: “3 The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.”
What trial are you facing today? Feel free to comment, I would love to here from you. Click here to leave your comments or share your stories.
The song I chose to lift your hearts today is: Everyone Hurts by Kirk Franklin
The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header Please go to his website ( http://www.barba-art.com) for information regarding obtaining copies or to commission him to create a masterpiece for you. In fact, if you email him today with the words GIVE, he will give you a 50% discount. Our secret, shhh. Feel free to email him at Ron@Barba-Art.com to discuss any art projects.
©2015 Effie Darlene Barba
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.