Results 1 - 2 of 2
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Suffering...how do you endure it? | Job | justme | 241162 | ||
I am hoping this question-post will bring out some deeply honest answers. How do you endure suffering? What Bible verses, or hymns, or whatever do you fine brings the real closeness of the Lord to you. I am asking this not only for myself, but for those who just might want this sometime down the road of their lives. I pray a lot, especially during a medical procedure. I recall Romans 8:29 and believe my suffering is a way of more understanding in a very small way of what Christ must have experienced. I say to myself, I still have no idea what pain sin must have felt for my Lord Jesus Christ. If you have anything you would like to share please do so. Blessings... justme |
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2 | Suffering...how do you endure it? | Job | DocTrinsograce | 241232 | ||
Dear justme, As you pointed out, it is obvious that pain and suffering will drive the believer to God in prayer. Certainly that is a good thing and a true thing. Nonetheless, there are many other things that it accomplishes in us. Contemplating on those things has proved extremely beneficial to me as I have lain in the hospital in severe and difficult suffering. Let me share some of them with you. We are assured that any affliction actually teaches us the Word (Psalm 119:67). As we suffer, our thoughts turn more and more to the Scriptures. We are people who tend to learn much more through pain than we do through pleasure. The Scriptures also tell us that there is a special kind of joy that the believer experiences, but one that only has its source in pain and affliction (Psalm 90:15). It helps us to recognize that our real treasures are in Him, and not in the things of this world. It helps us to identify with His suffering on Calvary, making the gift of redemption all the more precious. It helps us to identify with the suffering of other believers, granting us a growing compassion for those who are hurting. Suffering is part of God's eternal purpose. We are told that through it salvation is perfected (Hebrews 2:9-11) unto sanctification. It is encouraging to recognize with every throb of pain that it is simply a temporary part of what God is doing. As we suffer in patience, without reacting like those of the world, we give evidence of the wonderful work of salvation wrought by God. We are able, therefore, to express these things to those witnessing our behavior. Thus, we have opportunities to speak of Him to the lost unto salvation, and to believers unto encouragement and instruction. Pain also drives us to depend on Him alone, seeking His comfort (2 Corinthians 1:4). As our suffering abounds, so our consolation abounds. This has the additional benefit of preparing us to extend consolation to our brothers in their own tribulations. Affliction reminds us that we are living in a fallen world. It reminds us of the awful penalty of sin. Nonetheless, we are assured that our pain and suffering is evidence that God loves us (Hebrews 12:6-10). What could be more precious than that? But it doesn't end there, for we are further promised that it will yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness (v11). The bride of Christ has yet much to suffer before we sit at the marriage supper of the Lamb. It is good to know that that suffering is but a finite amount before glory. Thus, with every passing moment in pain, it is encouraging to know that a tiny bit more of that suffering is being discharged. Our own suffering will one day be over, just as there is an inevitable end of our own suffering. These are but a few ideas. There is so much more that we could talk about. There is a wonderful richness that we have as believers in being able to draw such precious truth from even our most difficult circumstances. Let us purpose to use our trials, tribulations, hardships, and suffering to bring out the riches of all that God has given us, to His glory. In Him, Doc |
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