God and Personal Suffering
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (Audio Only)
We began looking at suffering in our last message “God and Global Suffering.” Our focus was on worldwide suffering and “natural disasters” such as we’re seeing in Japan (and so much in the past six years). But today, we shift the focus from global suffering to personal suffering. We’ll look at three possible sources of personal suffering and three possible purposes for personal suffering.
Alright, I said we’d look at three possible sources and three possible purposes. So let’s start with
3 Possible Sources of Personal Suffering
1). The Curse of Sin on the earth (the general category)
2). The Spiritual Forces of Evil
3). Sinful choices (either ours or others)
The curse of sin on the earth we dealt with last week. At the fall of man, the curse of sin brought death and decay for both Mankind and earth, and it will be that way until we are delivered into the glorious liberty of our adoption as sons and daughters of God (Romans 8). That was our focus last week, and that is the overriding all-inclusive reason for suffering in the world.
The second possible source of suffering that starts to get a little more “personal” is
2). The Spiritual Forces of Evil
If you are a Christian today, you have an enemy on this earth – and I don’t mean some pastor you’re mad at – a real enemy.
Ephesians 6:12 (NLT)
12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
The spiritual battle is real, and even if you’re not a Christian today, this enemy still wants to destroy you. The spiritual forces of evil hate both God and God’s creation, and they are actively working for our destruction.
John 8:44 describes their leader …the devil…was a murderer from the beginning,
John 10:10 says The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy…
Your spiritual enemy was a “taker of life” from the beginning and he comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. But the good news is every person who belongs to Christ has been ultimately delivered from the power of this enemy. Reading all of John 10:10, we see both the purpose of the enemy and the victory in Christ.
Jesus speaking,
John 10:10 (ESV)
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
The enemy desires to destroy your life. Jesus Christ came to give you life and that more abundantly. If you belong to Christ today, he has rescued you from the Kingdom of Darkness and he has disarmed your spiritual enemy (even shaming them).
Colossians 1:13 (NLT)
13 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son,
Colossians 2:15 (NLT)
15 . . . he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.
In Christ we have guaranteed victory… but as long as we are on this earth, we’ll still be in a spiritual battle that can easily cause suffering. That’s why in Ephesians Chapter 6 we are warned to put on the full armor.
Ephesians 6:10–11 (NLT)
10 . . . Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.
The “strategies of the devil” are designed to bring suffering into our lives, and so we’ve got to learn to stand strong against them and we’ve got to stay faithful to God through them. The subject of this message is not spiritual warfare, so I can’t go too far down that road. (Some of our women recently finished the Kay Arthur study “Lord, is it Warfare. Teach Me to Stand” which I highly recommend for both women and men.)
But my point here is that we are in a battle and our enemy’s desire is to bring suffering into our lives. And so, if we don’t have our armor on or if we get duped by his schemes, he can definitely bring some temporary suffering into our lives! Even though “in Christ” we have ultimate victory. So, be careful – keep your armor on!
So, the first possible source of suffering is the curse of sin in the world.
The second possible source of suffering is the spiritual forces of evil.
And then, the third possible source of suffering gets real personal.
3). The Result of Sinful Choices (ours or someone else’s)
Often, what we call suffering in our lives, is really a direct result of our own sinful actions. Often, after making sinful choices for years and years, a person will turn and shake their fist at God and say, “Why are you doing this to me?” And I can easily imagine God saying, “Why are you doing this to me – after all I’ve done for you?”
Sometimes it’s simply personal sin that is bringing personal suffering. If an alcoholic loses everything in his life and then says, “Oh God, why am I suffering?” I think God says, “Duh!” That alcoholic’s “suffering” is a direct result of his sinful choices.
The much harder truth to accept is if that alcoholic runs head-on into a family on their way to church, the sad thing is that innocent family’s suffering is the result of that alcoholic’s sinful choice.
Sometimes we suffer, and sometimes suffer dearly, for another person’s sinful choices. But that does not mean God has forsaken us (he never will). It does not mean that God doesn’t care (he cares). But sinful choices always bring suffering. It’s the natural consequence of sin. But God has made a way to work in the midst of all things for the good of those that love him. Even in suffering brought on by our sin (or someone else’s), God is still at work for the good of those who love him.
Romans 8:28 (NIV)
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
And guys, we’ve all seen some pretty rough “in all things” and sometimes it is very hard to say God is at work in that for my good. Really, God? You’re at work in that for my good? How can you be? And God says, very lovingly,
Isaiah 55:8–9 (NLT)
8 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
That does not mean God is okay with the suffering that results from sin. It means God is at work for our good in ways that are far beyond what we can even grasp. But we can trust that God knows and that God is at work for our ultimate good, and if we will trust him and allow him to work, one day we will know what we can’t fully know today. And until that day – we trust him, and we cling to him through all types of suffering.
So, there are
3 Possible SOURCES of Personal Suffering
1). The curse of sin on the earth
2). The spiritual forces of evil
3). Sinful choices (either ours or others)
And although we can’t really know all that God is “at work” doing in each type of suffering, his Word does give us some answers as to what some of his purposes might be. We can only look at three possible purposes God may have in our suffering. But there are an unlimited number of ways that God can bring good out of our suffering.
3 Possible PURPOSES God May Have In Personal Suffering
1). To Correct us
2). To Mature us
3). To Bring God Glory
Number 1 possible Purpose – Suffering Can Be Used To Correct Us
Sometimes, suffering can be God’s red flag to get our attention. This is why some of the greatest opportunities to minister come during times of suffering in another person’s life. Because, often, a person’s suffering has caused them to rethink (or refocus) on the things of God.
The Prodigal Son (Luke Chapter 15) is the perfect picture of this. The prodigal had made a series of sinful choices that ended with him literally living (and eating) with the pigs. (Here’s your sign.)
Luke 15:17–18 (NLT) - When his Suffering was his SIGN
17 “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger!
18 I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you,
That is the blessing of suffering that is correction. And this suffering of correction brought complete blessing when the prodigal returned to his unconditionally loving father. Sometimes suffering is the tool God uses to bring blessing into our lives through his correction. Unfortunately, sometimes our sin blinds us to God’s purposes because we don’t want to be corrected. And so, we deny, rationalize, justify, and usually end up throwing a fit and blaming God. And so, to all the prodigals (and the rest of us) it is better to be restored to God through suffering than to continue on sin’s path to destruction. This suffering is often referred to as “chastisement.”
Hebrews 12:5 & 11 (NLT)
5 And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you.
. . .
11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.
If our suffering is being used by God to correct us, we should be very grateful to God.
So, one purpose for our suffering is correction.
Number Two Possible Purpose is Suffering Can Be Used To Mature Us
Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
But what if I told you that God’s plan was to work within our suffering? Would you think this verse was no longer true? The great plan God has for us is at work within the suffering we are experiencing. God is not caught off guard by our suffering. He’s already at work for good in and through the suffering we experience, and part of his plan is to mature us to make us more like Christ and to use us to bring hope to people around us. And one of God’s “maturing methods” that works every time is spelled out in,
2 Corinthians 1:3–4 (NLT)
3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.
4 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.
What makes some Christians so confident that God is able to comfort those who are suffering? The fact that God has comforted them when they were suffering! The Christian who has learned to rely on God in their suffering always becomes a mature Christian whom God can use to comfort others who are suffering.
Is it okay that God matures us through suffering so that he can use us in the lives of people around us? God alone knows what he’s fashioning us for… and as the potter fashions the clay, God alone knows the best process to prepare and mature us.
And God alone knows how to display his power through our “weakened” vessels.
2 Corinthians 4:7–10 (NLT)
7 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.
8 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair.
9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.
10 Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.
God’s overriding purpose in this life for us is for us to “reflect” (display) the image of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 3:18) And often, it is in suffering that we better learn to reflect (display) the image and the power of Jesus Christ living fully in us.
When Paul asked God three times to take his thorn in the flesh away, God said to him in 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT) …“My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.”
Then Paul says in that same verse …So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
God uses our suffering for our good!
Romans 5:3-5 (ESV)
. . . suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame . . .
James 1:2-4 (NLT)
2 . . . when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.
4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete (Mature), needing nothing.
We’ve got to allow God to mold, and shape, and mature us as he sees fit, and very often that is done in the midst of suffering.
And so, we’ve seen how God can use suffering to 1). Correct us and 2). Mature us. And finally, we see the greatest good of all To Bring Him Glory.
Number Three Purpose Suffering Can Be Used To Bring God Glory
John 9:1–3 (NLT)
1 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth.
2 “Rabbi,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?”
3 “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.
Hey, Jesus, that’s not fair that this man would be born blind just so that the power of God could be seen in him! Really, are you sure? Because our greatest reason for existing is to bring God glory, to allow the power of God to be seen in our lives. There is no higher purpose in this life! Guys, the greatest good possible to come out of our suffering is to bring God glory. That is always our highest purpose in this life.
One of the great examples of this we have in the Bible is the life of Joseph. Joseph suffered tremendously for many years at the hands of almost every person around him. But throughout his life, Joseph was able to bring God glory over and over again, in the midst of his suffering. And, at the end of his life, with his brothers still expecting retaliation from him, we read,
Genesis 50:20–21 (NLT)
20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.
21 No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.
Through his entire life, Joseph brought glory to God in the midst of his suffering (We have a series on Joseph in WordByMail). All through Acts and the Epistles we see Paul the Apostle bringing glory to God through (in the midst of) his suffering. But the perfect example of bringing glory to God through suffering is Jesus Christ himself, who suffered for the glory of God and brought salvation of all who would put their faith in him. Jesus Christ is our ultimate example in all suffering.
We’ve seen Three Possible SOURCES of Suffering
1). The Curse of Sin in the fallen world
2). Spiritual Warfare
3). Sinful Choices (ours or someone else’s)
And Three Possible PURPOSES For Our Personal Suffering
1). To Correct Us
2). To Mature Us
3). To Bring God Glory
And so, the suffering that may be in your life right now might be because of the curse of sin, spiritual warfare, or sinful choices. And maybe God wants to use it for correction, for maturity, or for his glory. But one thing we know for sure, God is at work in the midst of our suffering for our good, if we love God, if we have surrendered our lives to him.
And so, the only question is, will you allow God to use that suffering to bring good into your life? Will you allow Jesus Christ to meet you in your suffering to be your strength, your peace, and your healing? Will you allow him to use that suffering for your good and for his glory?
Just prior to his death on the cross, Jesus made a promise to his Disciples and to us…
John 16:33 (NLT)
33 . . . Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Jesus Christ has overcome the suffering of this world, and if he is your Savior and your Lord, then your victory is already won – in him! And ultimately, the suffering of this world will be replaced with a glory that this suffering is not even worthy to be compared to.
Romans 8:18 (ESV)
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Remember that, please.
And finally, our key verse (from our message title) is my final encouragement to you this morning.
2 Corinthians 4:17–18 (NLT)
17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!
18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
Alright, I said we’d look at three possible sources and three possible purposes. So let’s start with
3 Possible Sources of Personal Suffering
1). The Curse of Sin on the earth (the general category)
2). The Spiritual Forces of Evil
3). Sinful choices (either ours or others)
The curse of sin on the earth we dealt with last week. At the fall of man, the curse of sin brought death and decay for both Mankind and earth, and it will be that way until we are delivered into the glorious liberty of our adoption as sons and daughters of God (Romans 8). That was our focus last week, and that is the overriding all-inclusive reason for suffering in the world.
The second possible source of suffering that starts to get a little more “personal” is
2). The Spiritual Forces of Evil
If you are a Christian today, you have an enemy on this earth – and I don’t mean some pastor you’re mad at – a real enemy.
Ephesians 6:12 (NLT)
12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
The spiritual battle is real, and even if you’re not a Christian today, this enemy still wants to destroy you. The spiritual forces of evil hate both God and God’s creation, and they are actively working for our destruction.
John 8:44 describes their leader …the devil…was a murderer from the beginning,
John 10:10 says The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy…
Your spiritual enemy was a “taker of life” from the beginning and he comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. But the good news is every person who belongs to Christ has been ultimately delivered from the power of this enemy. Reading all of John 10:10, we see both the purpose of the enemy and the victory in Christ.
Jesus speaking,
John 10:10 (ESV)
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
The enemy desires to destroy your life. Jesus Christ came to give you life and that more abundantly. If you belong to Christ today, he has rescued you from the Kingdom of Darkness and he has disarmed your spiritual enemy (even shaming them).
Colossians 1:13 (NLT)
13 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son,
Colossians 2:15 (NLT)
15 . . . he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.
In Christ we have guaranteed victory… but as long as we are on this earth, we’ll still be in a spiritual battle that can easily cause suffering. That’s why in Ephesians Chapter 6 we are warned to put on the full armor.
Ephesians 6:10–11 (NLT)
10 . . . Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.
The “strategies of the devil” are designed to bring suffering into our lives, and so we’ve got to learn to stand strong against them and we’ve got to stay faithful to God through them. The subject of this message is not spiritual warfare, so I can’t go too far down that road. (Some of our women recently finished the Kay Arthur study “Lord, is it Warfare. Teach Me to Stand” which I highly recommend for both women and men.)
But my point here is that we are in a battle and our enemy’s desire is to bring suffering into our lives. And so, if we don’t have our armor on or if we get duped by his schemes, he can definitely bring some temporary suffering into our lives! Even though “in Christ” we have ultimate victory. So, be careful – keep your armor on!
So, the first possible source of suffering is the curse of sin in the world.
The second possible source of suffering is the spiritual forces of evil.
And then, the third possible source of suffering gets real personal.
3). The Result of Sinful Choices (ours or someone else’s)
Often, what we call suffering in our lives, is really a direct result of our own sinful actions. Often, after making sinful choices for years and years, a person will turn and shake their fist at God and say, “Why are you doing this to me?” And I can easily imagine God saying, “Why are you doing this to me – after all I’ve done for you?”
Sometimes it’s simply personal sin that is bringing personal suffering. If an alcoholic loses everything in his life and then says, “Oh God, why am I suffering?” I think God says, “Duh!” That alcoholic’s “suffering” is a direct result of his sinful choices.
The much harder truth to accept is if that alcoholic runs head-on into a family on their way to church, the sad thing is that innocent family’s suffering is the result of that alcoholic’s sinful choice.
Sometimes we suffer, and sometimes suffer dearly, for another person’s sinful choices. But that does not mean God has forsaken us (he never will). It does not mean that God doesn’t care (he cares). But sinful choices always bring suffering. It’s the natural consequence of sin. But God has made a way to work in the midst of all things for the good of those that love him. Even in suffering brought on by our sin (or someone else’s), God is still at work for the good of those who love him.
Romans 8:28 (NIV)
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
And guys, we’ve all seen some pretty rough “in all things” and sometimes it is very hard to say God is at work in that for my good. Really, God? You’re at work in that for my good? How can you be? And God says, very lovingly,
Isaiah 55:8–9 (NLT)
8 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
That does not mean God is okay with the suffering that results from sin. It means God is at work for our good in ways that are far beyond what we can even grasp. But we can trust that God knows and that God is at work for our ultimate good, and if we will trust him and allow him to work, one day we will know what we can’t fully know today. And until that day – we trust him, and we cling to him through all types of suffering.
So, there are
3 Possible SOURCES of Personal Suffering
1). The curse of sin on the earth
2). The spiritual forces of evil
3). Sinful choices (either ours or others)
And although we can’t really know all that God is “at work” doing in each type of suffering, his Word does give us some answers as to what some of his purposes might be. We can only look at three possible purposes God may have in our suffering. But there are an unlimited number of ways that God can bring good out of our suffering.
3 Possible PURPOSES God May Have In Personal Suffering
1). To Correct us
2). To Mature us
3). To Bring God Glory
Number 1 possible Purpose – Suffering Can Be Used To Correct Us
Sometimes, suffering can be God’s red flag to get our attention. This is why some of the greatest opportunities to minister come during times of suffering in another person’s life. Because, often, a person’s suffering has caused them to rethink (or refocus) on the things of God.
The Prodigal Son (Luke Chapter 15) is the perfect picture of this. The prodigal had made a series of sinful choices that ended with him literally living (and eating) with the pigs. (Here’s your sign.)
Luke 15:17–18 (NLT) - When his Suffering was his SIGN
17 “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger!
18 I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you,
That is the blessing of suffering that is correction. And this suffering of correction brought complete blessing when the prodigal returned to his unconditionally loving father. Sometimes suffering is the tool God uses to bring blessing into our lives through his correction. Unfortunately, sometimes our sin blinds us to God’s purposes because we don’t want to be corrected. And so, we deny, rationalize, justify, and usually end up throwing a fit and blaming God. And so, to all the prodigals (and the rest of us) it is better to be restored to God through suffering than to continue on sin’s path to destruction. This suffering is often referred to as “chastisement.”
Hebrews 12:5 & 11 (NLT)
5 And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you.
. . .
11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.
If our suffering is being used by God to correct us, we should be very grateful to God.
So, one purpose for our suffering is correction.
Number Two Possible Purpose is Suffering Can Be Used To Mature Us
Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
But what if I told you that God’s plan was to work within our suffering? Would you think this verse was no longer true? The great plan God has for us is at work within the suffering we are experiencing. God is not caught off guard by our suffering. He’s already at work for good in and through the suffering we experience, and part of his plan is to mature us to make us more like Christ and to use us to bring hope to people around us. And one of God’s “maturing methods” that works every time is spelled out in,
2 Corinthians 1:3–4 (NLT)
3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.
4 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.
What makes some Christians so confident that God is able to comfort those who are suffering? The fact that God has comforted them when they were suffering! The Christian who has learned to rely on God in their suffering always becomes a mature Christian whom God can use to comfort others who are suffering.
Is it okay that God matures us through suffering so that he can use us in the lives of people around us? God alone knows what he’s fashioning us for… and as the potter fashions the clay, God alone knows the best process to prepare and mature us.
And God alone knows how to display his power through our “weakened” vessels.
2 Corinthians 4:7–10 (NLT)
7 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.
8 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair.
9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.
10 Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.
God’s overriding purpose in this life for us is for us to “reflect” (display) the image of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 3:18) And often, it is in suffering that we better learn to reflect (display) the image and the power of Jesus Christ living fully in us.
When Paul asked God three times to take his thorn in the flesh away, God said to him in 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT) …“My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.”
Then Paul says in that same verse …So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
God uses our suffering for our good!
Romans 5:3-5 (ESV)
. . . suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame . . .
James 1:2-4 (NLT)
2 . . . when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.
4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete (Mature), needing nothing.
We’ve got to allow God to mold, and shape, and mature us as he sees fit, and very often that is done in the midst of suffering.
And so, we’ve seen how God can use suffering to 1). Correct us and 2). Mature us. And finally, we see the greatest good of all To Bring Him Glory.
Number Three Purpose Suffering Can Be Used To Bring God Glory
John 9:1–3 (NLT)
1 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth.
2 “Rabbi,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?”
3 “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.
Hey, Jesus, that’s not fair that this man would be born blind just so that the power of God could be seen in him! Really, are you sure? Because our greatest reason for existing is to bring God glory, to allow the power of God to be seen in our lives. There is no higher purpose in this life! Guys, the greatest good possible to come out of our suffering is to bring God glory. That is always our highest purpose in this life.
One of the great examples of this we have in the Bible is the life of Joseph. Joseph suffered tremendously for many years at the hands of almost every person around him. But throughout his life, Joseph was able to bring God glory over and over again, in the midst of his suffering. And, at the end of his life, with his brothers still expecting retaliation from him, we read,
Genesis 50:20–21 (NLT)
20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.
21 No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.
Through his entire life, Joseph brought glory to God in the midst of his suffering (We have a series on Joseph in WordByMail). All through Acts and the Epistles we see Paul the Apostle bringing glory to God through (in the midst of) his suffering. But the perfect example of bringing glory to God through suffering is Jesus Christ himself, who suffered for the glory of God and brought salvation of all who would put their faith in him. Jesus Christ is our ultimate example in all suffering.
We’ve seen Three Possible SOURCES of Suffering
1). The Curse of Sin in the fallen world
2). Spiritual Warfare
3). Sinful Choices (ours or someone else’s)
And Three Possible PURPOSES For Our Personal Suffering
1). To Correct Us
2). To Mature Us
3). To Bring God Glory
And so, the suffering that may be in your life right now might be because of the curse of sin, spiritual warfare, or sinful choices. And maybe God wants to use it for correction, for maturity, or for his glory. But one thing we know for sure, God is at work in the midst of our suffering for our good, if we love God, if we have surrendered our lives to him.
And so, the only question is, will you allow God to use that suffering to bring good into your life? Will you allow Jesus Christ to meet you in your suffering to be your strength, your peace, and your healing? Will you allow him to use that suffering for your good and for his glory?
Just prior to his death on the cross, Jesus made a promise to his Disciples and to us…
John 16:33 (NLT)
33 . . . Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Jesus Christ has overcome the suffering of this world, and if he is your Savior and your Lord, then your victory is already won – in him! And ultimately, the suffering of this world will be replaced with a glory that this suffering is not even worthy to be compared to.
Romans 8:18 (ESV)
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Remember that, please.
And finally, our key verse (from our message title) is my final encouragement to you this morning.
2 Corinthians 4:17–18 (NLT)
17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!
18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.