God and Suffering (2) Dealing with Suffering Problems Christians Face

Something related to all of us in 1 form or another God and Suffering Real challenges to our faith A subject that stands in the way of many accepting God or submitting to Him Something related to all of us in 1 form or another While not perfect (from a human standpoint), Christians have answers and considerations

God allows suffering (cf. Job 1 & 2), but with reasons Some Considerations This question, neither proves, nor disproves God. But it DOES address WHO God is – His character. God allows suffering (cf. Job 1 & 2), but with reasons Much of our suffering is the product of the fall of man Genesis 3:14-19

Free will – and make choices When we do wrong there are consequences Some Considerations Free will – and make choices When we do wrong there are consequences The righteousness of God demands consequences The laws of nature have consequences But we have tools to help us deal with suffering

Do NOT dismiss it – either in yourself or in others Dealing with suffering Do NOT dismiss it – either in yourself or in others The pains people endure are real, and often times not their own fault (though often product of sin or bad choices) One suffering needs compassion, encouragement and comfort 1 Peter 3:8, Romans 12:15

God has given us tools to help us Dealing with suffering God has given us tools to help us We have brethren Galatians 6:2, 1 Corinthians 12:26 Hebrews 12:12 We have His promises 1 Corinthians 10:13 Hebrews 13:5

God has given us tools to help us Dealing with suffering God has given us tools to help us We have His word Acts 20:32, James 5:10-11 We have attitudes His word calls for as Christians that can help us through our struggles

Know that God understands We cannot say He does not understand Dealing with suffering Know that God understands We cannot say He does not understand He sent Jesus to suffer on the cross, John 3:16, Hebrews 4:14-16, 2:9, 12:2 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – God of all comfort

Be careful before questioning the character – Romans 9:19-24 Dealing with suffering Let God be God! Be careful before questioning the character – Romans 9:19-24 Isaiah 55:8-9 Ecclesiastes 6:12 Ephesians 3:20, our God is able to do exceedingly Job and his friends were wrong! It was NOT God!

Dealing with suffering Let God be God! There are questions I cannot answer. But there are also answers I cannot question As to the character of God (good, powerful), do not pit His qualities against each other. They work together. Not “either/or”, but “and/but”

Do we know where suffering will lead? Romans 8:28, Hebrews 12:5-11 Dealing with suffering Let God be God! Who gets to determine how much suffering is too much? Do we really know what is best? Do we really know His mind, not just for mankind overall, but in any given situation? Do we know where suffering will lead? Romans 8:28, Hebrews 12:5-11

Don’t demand more of God than He has promised Dealing with suffering Let God be God! Don’t demand more of God than He has promised God is no respecter of persons – we live in times with no miracles. While God can still work, He does not micromanage our lives (part of our free will), plus we must consider how what happens to us affects others

So many ask, “Why me?” But in humility would I ask, “Why NOT me?” Dealing with suffering Let God be God! So many ask, “Why me?” But in humility would I ask, “Why NOT me?” The only thing accomplished by blaming God is misery!

Put the blame where it belongs! This is the product of Satan Dealing with suffering Put the blame where it belongs! This is the product of Satan This is the domain of his world – 1 John 5:19 – the whole world lies under his sway 2 Corinthians 4:4 – the god of this age Will we declare war on the devil?

It can lead us to trust God as we should – 1 Peter 5:7, 4:19 Can good come from his suffering It can cause us to not put our hope in this world – 2 Corinthians 4:17, Revelation 21:1, 4 It can lead us to trust God as we should – 1 Peter 5:7, 4:19 It can humble us – life is frail It can teach us to pray – James 5:13, 16

It can cause us to repent – Luke 15:15-18, 2 Peter 3:9 Can good come from his suffering It can cause us to repent – Luke 15:15-18, 2 Peter 3:9 It can make us better as we deal with it – James 1:2-4, Romans 5:3-5, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 It can make the world better – sometimes disasters and tragedy bring us together, often for good.

BUT understand, trials do NOT have to defeat us! God and Suffering There are answers Thought they may not be perfect or complete, they give us enough understanding to keep from accusing God BUT understand, trials do NOT have to defeat us!

God and Suffering Finally, understand that whatever suffering you endure on this side of eternity has no bearing on whether or not you will be saved. Only you can control that by submitting to Him Will you?