Gods Purpose for Suffering

1
Gods Purpose for Suffering

• Allowing the pain and suffering of this life to
  bring about a greater desire for the next.

2
Introduction

• Life is so much easier when all is... easy!
• There is no pain or heartache to deal with.
• There are no worries because there are no
  problems to overcome.

3
Introduction

• In our effort to avoid pain and suffering we
  strive to make this world as comfortable a place
  to live.
• We do this by replacing our pain and suffering
  with something fun or keeping ourselves busy.
• Or, we simply live life doing things that are
  fun so we do not need to deal with the sobering
  aspects of life.
• In doing so there is a fond attachment to this
  world.
• So, the natural question is what is Gods
  purpose for suffering in our lives?

4
Introduction

• In this lesson we shall look at the following
• Note mans natural desire to steer clear from
  pain and suffering.
• Note Gods purpose for pain and suffering.

5
Our Natural Desire Avoid Pain and Suffering

• In our modern western culture life is centered on
  comfort
• Our meals and refreshments instant, and lots of
  it.
• Our homes and cars are bigger, more decorated,
  etc.
• Our vacations and other leisure activities more
  extravagant.
• Other conveniences that make this life easier.

6
Our Natural Desire Avoid Pain and Suffering

• God has a purpose for suffering, but man strives
  to avoid it altogether.
• In todays childrens sports everyone gets a
  trophy so that no one suffers the pain and agony
  of defeat.
• In todays health conscious society there is a
  pill (or shot) that provides the cure for every
  ache.
• In other words, we strive to find a way so as not
  having to deal with pain and suffering in every
  aspect of our lives.

7
Our Natural Desire Avoid Pain and Suffering

• None these things are wrong to have or do, but
  underscores a general mindset that affects how we
  view pain and suffering.
• Our things and activities reflect the comfortable
  lives we have in this country.
• They also reflect how far we have gone to avoid
  pain and suffering.

8
Our Natural Desire Avoid Pain and Suffering

• In the end if we are successful at having the
  comforts of life
• Our attitude becomes one of self-sufficiency in
  need of nothing or anyoneincluding God.
• We become attached to the comforts of this life
  and have much difficulty coping with the
  realities of pain and suffering.

9
Gods Purpose in Pain and Suffering

• It causes us to look upward.
• When we are faced with pain and suffering we
  naturally look to our God for comfort.
• Note the comfort God provides is quite different
  from the comforts of life.
• He encourages (gives us courage) to make it
  through the trials.
• And our God is faithful in that he provides us
  comfort through all our trials. 2 Cor. 13-4a

10
Gods Purpose in Pain and Suffering

• It causes us to look inward.
• When we live in constant comfort it is quite
  difficult to see beyond ourselves.
• Through pain and suffering we see just how frail
  our lives are. Jas. 414
• We also realize just how selfish (self-centered)
  we tend to be.
• When looking inward, we can give God thanks for
  helping us see our frailties.

11
Gods Purpose in Pain and Suffering

• It causes us to look outward. cp. 2 Cor. 13-7
• There is something almost paradoxically beautiful
  about facing pain and suffering we learn there
  are others facing their own pain and suffering.
• We are able to comfort others as we have been
  comforted by Him. cp. 2 Cor. 14

12
The Good that Suffering Brings

• It tests and builds our character. Jas. 12-4
• It makes or keeps us humbled. cp. Job Matt. 55
• It gives us the opportunity to trust in our Lord
  to care for us in our afflictions.
• It gives us the opportunity to look past
  ourselves and to others who may benefit from our
  consolation.
• It builds within us a great desire for eternal
  comfort. Matt. 54

13
Conclusion

• The reality is that we currently continue to live
  in a comfortable society where pain and
  suffering is avoided like the plague.
• Remember, however, the purpose God has for the
  pain and suffering we endure during this
  lifetime... as it helps us to be comforted for
  eternity.