Suffering Has a Divine Purpose – Part 1

Life is full of surprises some of which can bring great sorrow.

As children of GOD, new believers especially, we can be lulled into thinking that we are immune from experiencing hardships and painful circumstances. But as the old folks who know better would say, “Just keep on living!”

On the other hand you might right now be experiencing a sorrow or know another believer who is suffering deeply. Unfortunately, we are many who have experiences to share.

• We raise a child to honor godly principles who, as a young adult, chooses a lifestyle that contradicts everything they learned and want “nothing to do with your God.”
• A believing spouse suddenly walks away from a 25-year marriage that we thought was rock solid because the “found someone that really meets their needs.”
• A loved one dies too young and too soon after being diagnosed with an aggressive illnesses, or by suicide.
• We suffer another heartbreaking miscarriage and the doctor tells us, there may never be another chance.

Our trials may vary in nature and intensity but all are painful. 

If somewhere along the way we learn that children of GOD ought always to be blissfully happy and trouble-free then when are faced with hardship and sorrow we will feel bewildered and betrayed.

After all, we love JESUS, we serve faithfully and give generously to our ministries; we pray for others and read our Bibles daily. We are not perfect by any means but we are trying to please GOD and live the way CHRIST followers ought to. So why has this suffering come to us?

“Where is God?”

With GOD, we have only good news and good news – God is with us in our trials and GOD approves our trials.

The Bible clearly teaches that GOD loves His children. The Bible also teaches us that GOD works all things together for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28.) The trials and sorrows He allows in our lives are part of the working together of all things for good.

We may not see or understand that "good" now and may never see it in our lifetime but we have to believe, even while we are in pain, that our suffering has a divine purpose.

GOD understands our pain and provides hope, encouragement, comfort and love.

Always GOD’s WORD is the place where we find everything that we need for our time of need. The Scriptures are alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Hebrews 4:12

GOD’s WORD reaches the deepest parts of our beings. When a spouse, close relative, or most trusted friend is unable to reach us GOD’s WORD can, and for times of sorrow and struggle, none does it better than the Book of Psalms.

King David wrote most of the hymns of petition and praise that make up the Psalms. Few characters in the Bible suffered as much as he did – betrayal, persecution, loss, death threats, David experienced it all.

Many verses and whole chapters from the Psalms give us courage to face painful situations and comfort in our sorrows. These are a few favorites:

• The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:9-10
• Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” Psalm 16:1-2
• Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me…Psalm 23
• …The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27
• You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted…Psalm 46
• Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him…Psalm 62
• …Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me! Psalm 66
• ..For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone… Psalm 91
• Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Psalm 112:6-7
• I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and my defense….Psalm 118:13-14
• He will not let your foot slip-- he who watches over you will not slumber. Psalm 121
• How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Psalm 139

In all of life’s trials GOD gives us a pathway to joy and victory.

But will GOD use even the afflictions we experience by our own disobedience for His divine purpose?

To be continued…

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Abba Father, YOU are the LORD, KING, Creator and the GOD who made us for YOUR purpose and YOUR glory. Father, forgive us for desiring only good from YOU and despising our afflictions that molds and shapes us to be more like CHRIST. Thank YOU for JESUS who promised that He has overcome the world so we can have peace in our afflictions. Open our eyes to the truth that our lives are buried in CHRIST so we will have the same experiences He did including victory and YOUR glory. Remind us Father that when we are truly “home” worldly suffering will end, that YOU will wipe away every tear from our eyes and there will be neither mourning nor crying nor pain anymore. Thank YOU that our worldly experiences are not worth comparing with the glory that awaits us in eternity with YOU and YOUR SON. We give all glory, all honor, and all praise to YOUR NAME as we ask all things in His NAME.  Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile