By: Dave Cruz

 

An undeniable truth is, life has episodes of suffering. The usual comforting words uttered by some people to those who are severely suffering is "take courage, these are only the challenges of life!" But with the passing of many "challenges" you get to the point of not being able to cope.

 

Why is life full of sufferings? When will all of these end? What is the meaning of all of these? Why?

 

The main reason why we have sufferings in this life was the fall of man into sin. Death and varieties of sufferings came into life due to sin. Even animals, plants and the environment are suffering because of man's fall (Romans 8:20-22 -For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now. Genesis 3:17-19 -And to the man he said, "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten of the tree about which I commanded you, 'You shall not eat of it,' cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; you are dust, and to dust you shall return.")

 

The world resisting God's will brought about other causes of sufferings:

 

1. Problems caused by nature. Things like earthquakes, storms, volcanic eruptions, droughts, floods, disease-causing microorganisms and many more (Genesis 3:17 and Romans 8:20-22).

 

2. Wrong personal decisions whether intentional or not (Proverbs 22:3 -The clever see danger and hide; but the simple go on, and suffer for it. Galatians 6:7 -Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow.)

 

3. Wrong decision on the part of other people. Similarly, your own wrong decisions may cause someone else to suffer(Deuteronomy 26:6 -When the Egyptians treated us harshly and afflicted us, by imposing hard labor on us.).

 

4. The inherited sinful nature is extremely self-centered and does not care about other people. It is also against godly, just and right living. (Romans 7:21-23 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God in my inmost self, but I see in my members another law at war with the law of sin that dwells in my members. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 -You must understand this, that in the last days distressing times will come. For the people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, inhuman, implacable, slanderers, profligates, brutes, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to the outward form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid them! 1 Peter 2:11 - Beloved, I urge you as aliens and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh that wage war against the soul.).

 

5. Satan the devil is always looking for opportunities to cause you to suffer and to destroy you. He wants you to turn your back on God and perish (John 10:10 -The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. 1Peter 5:8 -Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Job 1:9-11 - Then Satan answered the Lord, "Does Job fear God for nothing? Have you not put a fence around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.But stretch out your hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face." ).

 

6. God's purpose like disciplining (Proverbs 3:11,12 -My child, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves the one he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.) teaching ( Psalms 119:67,71 -Before I was humbled I went astray, but now I keep your word.71-It is good for me that I was humbled, so that I might learn your statutes.) molding ( Romans 5:3-5 -And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. James 1:2-4 -My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.) proving of faith ( 1 Peter 1:6-7 -In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith - being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire - may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.) preventing conceit( 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 -Even considering the exceptional character of the revelations. Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.) punishment (Numbers 14:34 -"According to the number of the days in which you spied out the land, forty days, for every day a year, you shall bear your iniquity, forty years, and you shall know my displeasure." Psalms 38:1-5 -O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger, or discipline me in your wrath. For your arrows have sunk into me, and your hand has come down on me. There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation; there is no health in my bones because of my sin. For my iniquities have gone over my head; they weigh like a burden too heavy for me. My wounds grow foul and fester because of my foolishness.) refining of character ( Jeremiah 9:7 - Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts: I will now refine and test them, for what else can I do with my sinful people?) or calling your attention about sin ( Psalms 32:3-5 -While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you, I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord," and you forgave the guilt of my sin.).

 

7. To display the work of God and to glorify Him (John 19:1-2 -Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they dressed him in a purple robe. John 11:1-4 Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair; her brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent a message to Jesus, "Lord, he whom you love is ill." But when Jesus heard it, he said, "This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God's glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it." 2Corinthians 12:7-9 - Even considering the exceptional character of the revelations. Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.). There are some sufferings that God allows in order to manifest His love, care, wisdom, and power. Times of sufferings reveal the truth that we need the Lord.

 

 

Perhaps there are sufferings that seemingly have no clear reason. It will only be revealed when you come face to face with Christ. Those who trust in Christ can be certain that at the appointed time He Himself will wipe every tear in their eyes and they will forget the pain of it all (Revelation 21:1-5 - Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them as their God; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away." And the one who was seated on the throne said, "See, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.") As long as sin dominates the world we can expect suffering to continue (John 16:33 -I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!" Romans 8:20-22 - For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now.) Only Christ's return will end suffering (Revelation 19:11-21:4 Please read this on your Bible.)

 

Christ has many promises to all His believers who are waiting for His return. Two of them are:

 

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. -John 16:33

 

COME TO ME, ALL YOU WHO ARE WEARY AND BURDENED, AND I WILL GIVE YOUR REST. - Matthew 11:28 

 

Jesus knows how heavy a debt sin is because He suffered and paid for it with His own life (Romans 6:23 -For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1Peter 3:18 For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit. Isaiah 53:4-6 -Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have all turned to our own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.) It is God's will that you be saved from your sins (2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish,but all to come to repentance. Ephesians 2:8,9 For the grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God - not the result of works, so that no one may boast.) The Lord also wants you to give Him your burdens ( 1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.) So, by faith commit your life to Him by saying this prayer:

 

 

Dear God in Heaven, I come to You as sinner. I repent of my sins. Please forgive me of my sins. Lord Jesus, I receive You as my personal Savior and Lord. I commit my life to You. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit, please guide me and give me the strength to live a life that will give glory to God. Lord Jesus, thank You for giving Your life for me. Father, thank You for sending Jesus to die for me. All this I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

 

 

 

Sharing of faith from: ICI Ministries, Inc. 

visit them here http://www.iciphilippines.org/site/ici.php