*Definitions and Key Thoughts* * Suffering comes for many reasons: - Suffering may come as a result of personal sin and failure. For example, some people may suffer financially by being wasteful or not carefully budgeting their money. Some people may suffer the loss of friendship through their hurtful words or gossip. - Suffering may also arise due to other people’s sin and failure, such as the drunk driver who causes an accident and creates suffering for others. - Suffering can also arise from forces outside of our control. For example, a tornado or hurricane can create great suffering for many people. - Suffering can come as a result of a person’s faith—standing for Jesus in some parts of the world is an invitation to persecution
* The Bible is replete with passages that describe why suffering is a part of life: - Deserved suffering occurs when we sin or act foolishly—1 Peter 4:15 - Undeserved suffering is part of following in Jesus’ footsteps—1 Peter 2:21 - Suffering can be for growth—2 Corinthians 12:9-10 - Suffering can be for testing and God’s glory—John 9:1-3 - Suffering can help us be able to help others—2 Corinthians 1:3-5
* Helping others in pain requires a “theology” of suffering. How do you see God using suffering in the lives of those with whom you work? How do you see God using suffering in your own life?
* Suffering is common to all people and is not removed by the presence of the Holy Spirit. Being a Christian is not a “get out of suffering free” card. Christians experience suffering like everyone else.
* Sometimes God sends suffering into our lives and we do not know why. His promise to us is not to make our suffering understandable but to be present with us in it.
* Needless suffering, such as refusing to take medication, is not taught in Scripture. There is no merit to simply enduring pain for suffering’s sake.
* Suffering is easier to deal with when it is purposeful (2 Timothy 4:6) and when there is an end in sight. Romans 8:22-23 says, “For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.”
* Suffering produces character in us. Our culture by contrast views suffering as evidence that we are failing in some way or that we are doing something wrong.
* Guard against wanting to “fix things” or give answers too quickly. It is much more important to listen.