Romans chapter 8
1. God has suffered too. He sent his beloved Son to suffer and die for us, taking the burden of our sin. When we suffer, we step into the heart of God. – Rom. 8:3 / 1 Peter 2:21
2. God has given human beings freedom of choice. Sometimes we make bad choices that hurt others. If God prevented those bad choices, we wouldn’t be free to make good ones. – Rom. 8:5-6;8 / Deut. 30:19-20
3. Our struggles can show God’s glory. That’s what Jesus said about the blind man in John 9. Our problems often show God’s power or God’s care. – Rom. 8:9-11;17-18 / John 9:3
4. Our physical well-being – even our life and death – is a tiny thing in the light of eternity. A disease may seem huge to us, but after we find healing in heaven, it will seem rather trival. – Rom. 8:12-14 / Isa. 40:6-8
5. God is bigger than we are. His ways are beyond our ways. We won’t always understand why He does what He does. – Rom. 8:15-17 / Isa. 55:9
6. Suffering and doubt can lead us to stronger faith. It takes away all the easy answers and forces us to trust a God we can’t figure out. – Rom. 8:18 / Psa. 73:13-17
7. God will set things right eventually. It’s just a matter of timing. We need to wait for the world’s full redemption. – Rom. 8:18-21
8. God works everything together for his good purposes. He does have a purpose, and he calls us to be part of it, even if we have to go through some unpleasant times. – Rom. 8:28
9. God wants us to trust in His grace. As he told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you. My power is made perfect in weakness.” – Rom. 8:37-39 / 2 Cor. 12:9
Indeed. It’s easy to tell people: “I got saved and now everything’s great.” Anyone with a basic amount of intelligence can see right through that.
Ultimately it’s all about God.
So God has suffered and he thinks we should as well? Strange thought. Alternatively Tim Kellor says -I dont know but it isnt because he doesnt love us! http://tinyurl.com/muf9o5
It is because of love that God sent Jesus to suffer and die for us, and because of His sovereignty that He has the authority to allow bad things to happen to us. It is not a matter of God suffered so now we are going to have to. If Jesus was subject to suffering, then we have to understand that we aswell are destined for hardships.
Don’t misunderstand this post. I don’t know what you might be suffering in, but not all of these answers equally applly to each situation. (Example: If you made a poor choice, and you are suffering because of it then answer number 2 applies most to you. The great thing about it though is that God is merciful, and will forgive and forget what you have done. He is freely and openly welcoming you back into His fellowship.)
No one wants to face hardships, but God is a mighty, holy, gracious, and just.
“God’s grace can mend your brokeness.” – Adrian Rogers
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