Subject: Suffering and God's providence |
Bible Note: Hi Atdcross, Discipline is their perserverance? I would suggest that discipline is an adverse circumstance administered to produce a desired change. As a parent, I have wanted my children to suffer. I wanted them to suffer just enough to never try a particular behavior again. Did I prefer that they always did what was right? Of course! And I am certain that God prefers we simply obey. The the fact of the matter is that we don't obey, and in those times, God would be proving that He didn't love us if He didn't bring discipline, chastisement, scourging - yes, suffering - into our lives. When the Holy Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness for a 40 day fast, do you suppose Jesus suffered from He food deprivation? Whose idea was that? We call it suffering. The Bible calls it chastening, sancfitying, proving, and a host of others things. Just because it seems bad to us does not mean that it always is bad. It can hurt to heal. What kind of doctor would say "I'm not going to set your broken bone! Don't you know how much that would hurt? Better to let you be crippled!" Please do not misunderstand me. I do not believe that God inflicts suffering for the sake of watching us squirm! But I think the Bible is clear that suffering has a place in our development, and God would be remiss if He did not include it as needed. I will look forward to sharing discussion on other topics with you, and may God teach both of us if we are in error! God bless you my brother! Love in Christ, Mark |