Finding Hope and Understanding in Times of Suffering

Part 2, Sunday, April 26, 2020 pm lesson

Previously we addressed: The character of God: He is all- powerful, all-seeing, all-knowing, a God of love, mercy and grace, and sovereign (His rules are right)

Previously we addressed: Concerning God and suffering: God does not cause ALL suffering, We have free-will We must put the blame where it belongs (on Satan, and at times ourselves) We must be careful before questioning God. God DOES allow suffering but can good come from such? Why about today?

Can good come from suffering? What about today? Part 2, Sunday, April 26, 2020 pm lesson

First, I do NOT have all the answers. Nor does anyone else! God no longer communicates directly through prophets, but through His word Within its pages I believe we can find some understanding and guidance to help us deal with these questions. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:3)

Can good come from suffering? It can lead to good results Trials can make you a better person James 1:2-4, Romans 5:3-5 We see this in life doctors operating, athletes training (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27) Discipline (punishment) of children (Hebrews 12:5-11)

Can good come from suffering? It can lead to good results Consider Joseph Genesis 50:19- 21 Paul s thorn in the flesh 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 We may not know what the outcome of a given circumstance will be, but we usually have some control over where we land in the end

Can good come from suffering? It can lead to repentance Suffering may cause us reevaluate where we are and change (cf. 2 Corinthians 13:5) God often used suffering to lead His people Israel and Judah to repentance Luke 15:15-20, the prodigal son 2 Peter 3:9, God is longsuffering with us so that we will repent. He chastens us to repentance (cf. Hebrews 5:5-11)

Can good come from suffering? It can cause the Christian to trust God How we deal with suffering can help us increase our faith. If we resolve to trust God, we will be better when trials are over 1 Peter 4:19, commit you soul to Him 2 Timothy 1:12, For this reason I suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed

Can good come from suffering? It can humble us Sufferings help us realize there are things bigger than we are. Sometimes failures, rebukes, sufferings bring us down a notch Matthew 26:33-35, consider Peter s confidence and fall (Matthew 26:75, John 21:15ff). James 4:13-15, we must always say, If the Lord wills

Can good come from suffering? It can make this world less appealing We are pilgrims, foreigners on this earth 1 Peter 2:11, Philippians 3:20 Troubles and sufferings make us long for heaven (Matthew 6:19-21) Consider how the things of heaven are described Revelation 21:3-4, 22:3

Can good come from suffering? It can bring out the good in people Suffering often causes people to be compassionate and willing to sacrifice to help others. We hear of many acts of kindness Sadly, some act selfishly and exploit tragedy, but that is part of the evil devising of men they are NOT godly! Don t blame Him for what the wicked do!

Can good come from suffering? It can bring out the good in people Suffering is a test of our character. It reveals who we really are inside. When we are dealing with suffering who are we thinking about?

Can good come from suffering? It can even lead some to turn to God Suffering can cause one to search his soul and surrender to God. Christians can help with this by being the best examples we can be 1 Peter 4:12-16, 2:11-12

Can good come from suffering? Consider this: What if there were no suffering? What if God intervened every time (or for His followers) and stopped calamity? Would we really appreciate God? Would we appreciate sacrifice and love? Would we repent? Would we be humble? Would we look to heaven?

God has given us tools We have our brethren Christians have a network ready to help us and stand with us as we deal with sufferings Hebrews 12:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:14, Galatians 6:2

God has given us tools We have the avenue of prayer We can turn to God and our Lord James 5:13, 16, 1 Peter 5:7 He does care! 1 John 5:14-15 He hears us

God has given us tools We have hope in something better Our previous lessons addressed this hope. That hope keeps us going.

God has given us tools We have His promises There are many passages of comfort from God as we deal with struggles 1 Corinthians 10:13 no temptation has overtaken you Hebrews 13:5-6 I will never leave you nor forsake you

God has given us tools We have the comfort knowing that God does understand Matthew 11:28-30 Come to Me all who labor and are heavy laden God sent Jesus to this earth to live simply, be rejected and die a cruel death FOR US! Philippians 2:5- 8

God has given us tools We have His word Acts 20:32 it is given to build us up. In times of trouble can you think of a better place to turn than to heed the Creator who made us and controls all things?

God has given us tools We have godly ATTITUDES 1 Corinthians 13:13, love, hope, optimism, patience, self-control, peace, etc. Such will help us get through whatever we face in this life.

God has given us tools BUT, Many in the world do some of these things too in times of suffering Some might say that even unbelieves are compassionate, willing to sacrifice, have upbeat attitudes, etc. Yes they do! But where did they learn it? WHY is this the right thing to do? Is this not how God created us?

What about this pandemic? IS God the cause of this pandemic? I do not know! I believe He is able should He choose to Romans 8:31 if God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:28 all things work together for good according to HIS purpose

What about this pandemic? IS God the cause of this pandemic? BUT, it could simply be nature taking its course (rather than God directly intervening) This world is not what it was when it was first created Romans 8:19-22 speaks of the creation being subjected to futility, it is in the bondage of corruption, and the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs until now When Adam and Eve first sinned, God cursed the ground, etc. (Genesis 3:14-19)

What about this pandemic? IS God the cause of this pandemic? Remember, much suffering is the result of bad behavior and poor choices. How did this virus begin? Could it have been prevented with proper sanitary choices? Did greed factor in letting it spread? Has selfishness made matters worse? I DO NOT KNOW! But it is possible!

What about this pandemic? IS God the cause of this pandemic? Naturalism does NOT offer a good solution because it teaches man is his own god and has no one greater than himself to answer to. And then he wonders why so many act selfishly and carelessly Christians act different and with reason!

What about this pandemic? Could God be sending us a message? Is this a warning that the end is near? I do not know! BUT, whether God is sending a message or not, we OUGHT to act as if He is! Examine yourself (2 Corinthians 13:5). Prepare to meet your God (2 Corinthians 5:9-10, Hebrews 9:27)

How are you dealing with the troubles and trials of this life? Is your attitude what it ought to be?

Will you choose to trust God and obey Him? Joshua 24:15

Let us pray