Understanding Suffering

A. The Origin of Suffering is the Fall

1. From Satan - directly or indirectly through demons.

2. From the world’s system - incoming lusts, temptations

3. From the flesh - our own or the flesh of others.

   a. Personal sins we commit

   b. Bad decisions

4. From God - Divine discipline

   NEVER with evil intentions such as sickness, destruction, or stealing from us.

   ONLY with the Word.

5. There wasn’t any suffering in the Garden - in innocence.

6. There will be no suffering in heaven.

B. Suffering Comes When:

1. We are in the will of God.

   a. “Many are the afflictions of the righteous.” (Psalms 34:19)

   b. In this world you will have tribulations, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:32-33)

   1. From Satan

   2. From men

   3. From the flesh

2. We are out of the will of God

   1. From Satan

   2. The Holy Spirit’s conviction

   3. God - His conviction and discipline

C. Suffering is Part of the Christian Life

1. Just as there are problems in this fallen world, so there are natural and spiritual problems for the child of God.

2. We teach our natural children how to avoid or minimize problems. God, also, teaches us how to avoid and minimize our afflictions the Christian life.

3. Even if our children are faultless, they can still face troubles. It is the same with the Christian life.

D. God is NEVER the Author of Believer’s Suffering

“Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.” James 1:13

1. We cannot blame God for our problems any more than we can blame our parents for things such as car wrecks, tornadoes, or sickness.

2. God loves us more than our natural parents - He is not a child abuser.

E. Suffering IS Part of God’s Plan

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:10-12

“…shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions.” Mark 10:30

“But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony (Romans 8:28). Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer.” Luke 21:12-14

“Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.” John 15:20

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written:

“For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Romans 8:35-37

“We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:12

1. Underserved suffering is an opportunity to advance.

   a. Suffering brings a challenge.

   b. When we accept the challenge we can advance.

2. To glorify God.

   a. Faith glorifies God.

   b. Faith is at its best when used in suffering.

3. Every type of suffering can be turned into a blessing - including those that are your fault.

   a. Joseph - faultless

   b. Esther - faultless

   c. David - his fault

F. Suffering is an Important Part of a Christian Life

1. Without suffering we would have little opportunity to use faith.

2. Therefore, Satan can be a part of our Christian growth.

   a. Without Satan’s attacks, we would never know our weapons are superior.

   b. Without his attacks, we would never have victories.

   “Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted (πειρασ - tested, not δελεάζω - bait or entice) by the devil.

   c. God does not send tests our way to entice us to sin but to win.

3. Our military is trained and we then send them to war with a superior plan and superior weapons to win.

4. You are either advancing or retreating in suffering.

5. God will not allow more testing than you can handle above your maturity level. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

G. Our Attitude in Suffering

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials (πειρασμός - temptations, for you to fail), knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect (complete) work, that you may be perfect (mature) and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1: 2-4

1. Suffering develops character - the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

2. The love walk is perfected in tribulation and suffering.

3. Count, knowing, and let are all choices.

   a. Before joy is a feeling, it is a choice to act on what you know.

   b. You can learn through good times and bad.

4. The love walk is perfected in tribulation and suffering.

H. The Result of Suffering

“But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.” 1 Peter 5:10

1. We are called to suffering in the Christian life.

2. We can only be perfected, stabilized, strengthened, and settled through suffering - applying, in faith, the word of God against the problems of life.

“In this (the last days) you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” 1 Peter 1:6-7

1. We need to rejoice greatly though we are going through heavy temptations.

2. Rejoicing needs to be perpetual, although suffering is only temporary.

3. Rejoicing should be in all seasons. In times of God’s blessing as well as Satan’s cursing.

4. God mainly allows trials to show us our growth.

   a. Satan sends them to destroy us. God uses them to bring us to maturity.

   b. God gives answers to attacks to frustrate Satan.

   c. What Satan means for evil, God turns to our good.

5. We have to choose to learn from our temptations.

6. Each victory should result in testimony for our journal.

“I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise will continually be in my mouth.” Psalms 34:1
I. Redemption and Suffering

1. We are not redeemed from suffering but from sin, sickness, and poverty

2. You cannot pray suffering away. Rebuke it or cast it out.

3. It is not that God cannot stop suffering or calm the sea.

4. God promised to be with us in storms. Sleep through it.

   a. Psalms 23:4, 5

   b. Psalms 34:19

   c. Isaiah 54:17

J. We Can Be the Reason for Our Suffering

1. Bad companions bring suffering

   a. Proverbs 13:20

   b. 1 Corinthians 15:33 - “evil communications” (companions), “corrupt good manners” (morals).

2. Arrogance brings suffering.

   a. Proverbs 13:20 - “pride” (arrogance), “a haughty spirit” (attitude).

3. Sins of the heart and tongue bring suffering.

   a. Proverbs 17:20

   b. Proverbs 19:5

4. Keep your temper under control.

   a. Proverbs 22:8

   b. Proverbs 19:19

K. How Suffering Can Be Minimised

1. Maintain a thankful life - This is the highest form of faith. Praise can confound the enemy

   a. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 - “Rejoice always.”

   b. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 - “In everything give thanks” (context - don’t return evil for evil).

   c. Philippians 4:4 - “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again…”

2. Maintain a study life - Knowledge of scriptures gives us strength.

   a. Psalms 119:11

   b. 2 Peter 1:4

3. Maintain a prayer life - Develop sensitivity to the Holy Spirit and God’s voice.

   a. Luke 18:1

   b. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

   c. Romans 12:2

4. Clean up your thought life - The mind is the arena of temptation.

   a. 2 Corinthians 10:5

   b. Philippians 4:8

5. Live your life above reproach - Let your actions reflect your spiritual dedication.

   a. 1 Thessalonians 5:22

   b. Romans 12:17

   c. 2 Corinthians 6:3

L. Fall Back on What you Know in Suffering

1. We are called to face suffering but be victorious in it -Philippians 1:28, 29.

2. Suffering cannot separate us from God’s keeping power - 1 Peter 1:3-6.

   We are in a partial way to keep ourselves but ultimately kept by God’s power.

3. Coming through suffering makes us useable for God’s plan - Proverbs 25:4.

4. Suffering allows us to find out the use and power of our superior weapons.