Trials/Suffering

God is love (1 John 4:8), and because He is perfect love, He does not dictate to us how to live our lives or what choices we should make, and he doesn’t want us to fear. (1 John 4:18 “ There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”) He is there to guide and assist us, if we let Him, but otherwise, His love is so perfect that He honours our decisions, even if they cause us hurt for a season. But, He will ultimately work everything for the good of those who love Him, according to His purposes for them (Romans 8:28 paraphrased).

This world is an imperfect place due to sin. Sin is not following God’s Word, or breaking God’s law. Sin is lawlessness (1 John 3:4). Per the dictionary, sin is an immoral act committed against divine law, an act of wickedness, crime, offence, error, misdemeanor, misdeed.

Per James 4:17 “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” We face trials and suffering because of sin (Isaiah 59). Romans 2:9 “There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil” Romans 3:23 “ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”

Suffering does not come from God. 1 John 1:5-10 “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all[a] sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.” There was no suffering until after Adam and Eve sinned, and there will be no suffering and sin in the new heaven and earth per Revelation 21.

Challenging times are not to be seen as purely negative experiences or seasons. James 1: 2-5 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

James 1:12 NIV “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

Per Romans 5:3-4 “…we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

We will experience difficult times in life, but so too has Jesus, and He is thus able to provide the support you need during those times. And, God is not mean, so He won’t place you in seemingly impossible situations. 1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” James 1:13 NLT “And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else.” John 16:33 NIV “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Google searches revealed the following list I believe to be helpful in this context, that I amalgamated from several sources.

1) Your trust in God will be for your good. Proverbs 3:5-6 ‘Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding, In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your path straight.’

2) God will never leave you. Deuteronomy 31:8 “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed “

3) God will strengthen, uphold and sustain you. Isaiah 41:10 “…fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” Psalm 55:22 “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”

4) God hears your cry. Psalm 40:1-3 “I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God” Psalm 34:17 “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.”

5) God is near to the brokenhearted. Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”

6) The Lord will renew your strength. Isaiah 40:31 “…but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint”

7) If you feel you are heavily laden, Jesus will give you rest. Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

8) Nothing can separate you from God (except your sin). Romans 8:38-39 “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

9) We are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” Psalm 23:4 “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

10) God will give you peace. Philippians 4:6-7 “6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”