HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 327
page A325
message of the Bible is that he promises to bring renewal, healing, and spiritual maturity
through it so that you can become stronger and be better equipped to help others and to
live with purpose and meaning. Suffering can bring great renewal and healing if it drives
you to God.
How do I stay close to God in times of suffering?
• PSA L M 1 2 6 :5 -6 | Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep
as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest. (See note on
page 548.)
Recognize that suffering is not forever. In the dark hours of the night of suffering, it is hard
to think of a morning of joy and gladness.
• L A ME NTAT I O NS 3 :3 2 -3 3 | Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion because of
the greatness of his unfailing love. For he does not enjoy hurting people or causing them
sorrow.
Recognize that God does not want you to suffer and that his compassionate love and care
will see you through it. A loving God does not enjoy the adversity and pain of life which
must come your way.
Recognize that Jesus himself suffered for you. He suffered the agonies of the cross, which
embraced not only the incredible physical suffering but also the unthinkable suffering of
bearing the sins of the entire world.
• R O MA NS 8 :1 7 -1 8 | And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with
Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his
suffering. Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.
• H E B R E W S 2 :1 8 | Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help
us when we are being tested.
Recognize that suffering is not forever and will end when those who believe in Jesus are
welcomed into heaven.
How can I respond to the suffering of others?
• 1 C O R I NT H I A NS 1 2 :2 6 | If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is
honored, all the parts are glad.
When one Christian suffers, it should hurt us all, for we are all members of Christ’s body—
unified. If one part of our body hurts, sympathetic pain is sent throughout our entire body.
So it should be in the body of Christ. If you know someone who is hurting, suffering along
with that person can bring them comfort and hope.
• G A L AT I A NS 6 :2 | Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.
Seek to provide whatever practical support you can for a person who is suffering.
• 2 C O R I NT H I A NS 1 :3 -4 | God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He
comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled,
we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
Suffering enables you to comfort others. Wounded healers are more effective than healers
who have never been wounded. Why? Because they have wrestled and agonized over
the same questions, and they know they don’t have all the answers. Woundedness may
appear to weaken you, but it actually makes you stronger.
Why would I ever want to suffer? Is there ever a time I would welcome it?
• 2 C O R I NT H I A NS 1 2 :1 0 | That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults,
hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then
I am strong.
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• J O H N 3 :1 6 | “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that
everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
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• MAT T H E W 1 7 :1 2 | “And in the same way they will also make the Son of Man suffer.”
• L U K E 2 4 :2 6 | “Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these
things before entering his glory?”