Suffering

It is unfortunate that a lot of people teach unbiblical (and totally unfounded) doctrines regarding suffering as Christians. My goal for this post is to share with you what I have learned about what God's Word says about it.

First things first, let's get this straight: it will happen. We all will experience some sort of suffering at some point in our lives. If you haven't yet, just keep living. Nowhere in the Bible does it ever say that because we are children of God we will never suffer. In fact, Paul says in Acts 20:23,

Except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.

Paul's literally saying the opposite, that suffering will always happen [to him in this case]!

I'm sure we can all think of other biblical figures who went through different hardships:

• Abraham and Sarah were childless for a long time

• Esau was cheated by his brother, Jacob

• Jacob was also cheated by his uncle/father-in-law, Laban

• Rachel was childless for a long time

• Joseph was sold as a slave, then thrown in prison

• The entire people of Israel were in slavery for 400 years

• Job lost literally everything he had and was severely ill

• David spent years on the run from Saul who threatened his life

The list could go on forever.

Although God doesn't promise that we won't be exempt from difficulties, He does promise that He'll be with us and will always guide us through them.

Last week, my memory verse was Isaiah 43:2, which says,

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

David testifies as well in Psalm 23:4-5 saying,

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

God is true to His Word, so cling to His promise, the right promise. Read the stories of these people in the Bible that suffered, and you'll see that they experienced God's presence and favor even more in those times. God will always restore, either physically on earth, or by granting strength and grace to endure with the hope of eternal life where all things will be made new.

Some other bible verses on suffering:

https://dailyverses.net/suffering/esv

Peace and love of Christ be with you all!