“As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy” James 5:11.
Why do bad things happen to good people? There are two extreme views on suffering. On one hand, there are Christians who have misperceived that when you have accepted Christ, there will be no more suffering. On the other, suffering becomes a goal because they have misunderstood suffering as something that brings people closer to God. Suffering is part of life. It is a reality of life and our faith plays an important part in our victory over our suffering.
3 REASONS WHY PEOPLE SUFFER:
1.Because of Sin and wrongdoing (Self-inflicted).
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A mean reaps what he sows” Galatians 6:7.
Every sin has its consequences and every wrong decision we have in the past also result in suffering. A man who carelessly spends his money can find himself going through lack. Young women who got themselves pregnant early in life may find themselves working out difficult family lives. Men who have gotten into illegal means may have a hard time gaining trust from people and even find work. A person who does not take care of his body can get sick.
2. We live in a fallen world (Mysterious).
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows” Galatians 6:7.
“By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return” Genesis 3:10.
“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned” Romans 5:12.
We experience suffering as part of the consequence of an even greater sin – the sin committed by Adam. Examples of these are illnesses rooting from genes.
3. Because of Righteousness (Undeserved).
“It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil” 1 Peter 3:17.
“He has made everything beautiful in its time” Ecclesiastes 3:11.
Suffering produces patience and perseverance (Romans 5:3).
Patience is the ability to wait on God’s timing. Perseverance is standing firm on the faithfulness of God in the midst of trials and difficulties.
3 PICTURES OF SUFFERING:
1.The Farmer.
“Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the
land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains” James 5:7.
The Farmers are confident, based on their past experiences, that what they had planted, they will reap in season. Our circumstances do not change God. He is not made powerless by our suffering. He has provided for us in the past and will continue to provide for us. We have the tendency to “help God” by taking control, making wrong decisions and end up suffering more.
2. The Prophet.
“Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord” James 5:10.
The prophets suffered because of righteousness. They suffered because they preached the Word of the Lord and they eagerly awaited the fulfillment of the words spoken by God through them.
3. Job.
Job suffered greatly, but despite his suffering, he did not sin. He guarded his heart and when rebuked by God, he humbled himself and accepted God’s correction.
It is impossible for the devil to touch us because of the hedge of protection around us. In the beginning of the book, God proudly spoke of Job’s faithfulness that the enemy questioned because of the protection God has surrounded his servant with. It’s easy to praise God when everything is going well with us. Would you still praise God if you go through suffering?
“My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you” Job 42:5. Faith proven strong when tested will remain.
GENUINE FAITH SEES GOD IN THE MIDST OF SUFFERING.
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