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Reasons for Suffering

One cannot always know the specific whys for suffering. However, as a student of life, one can see that there are at least five sources for suffering. The first source for suffering is others. My wife and I have been robbed twice. The second source for suffering would be self. Something wrong was said or done and there were consquences to pay. A third source for suffering is Satan. Look at what Satan did to the life of Job in the Old Testament. A fourth source is the fall of Adam. When Adam sinned, God cursed this earth. The final source for suffering is God. In the Scriptures there are at least 13 reasons why God allows suffering in the life of his children.

13 REASONS FOR TRIBULATIONS – These reasons are focusing only on God, not self, others, Adam, or Satan.

1. Tribulations are God’s way of getting our attention.
Psalm 119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word.

2. Tribulations are God’s way of assuring us of his love for us.
Proverbs 3:11-12 My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD,Nor detest His correction; 12 For whom
the LORD loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.
Hebrews 12:6 For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom
He receives.

3. Tribulations are God’s was of conquering our pride.
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
James 4:6 6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble."

4. Tribulations are God’s way of reminding us of our weaknesses.
2 Corinthians 12:8-10 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it
might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My
strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my
infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in
infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For
when I am weak, then I am strong.

5. Tribulations are God’s way of purifying our faith.
1 Peter 1:6-7 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you
have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much
more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to
praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try
you, as though some strange thing happened to you;

6. Tribulations are God’s way of preparing us to minister to others.
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, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that
we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which
we ourselves are comforted by God.

7. Tribulations are God’s way to motivate us to be totally dependent on Him.
James 4:13-15 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and
such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit"; 14 whereas you do
not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that
appears for a little time and then vanishes away. 15 Instead you ought to say,"If the
Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that."

8. Tribulations are God’s way of getting us to cry out to him.
Psalm 107 vs. 5-6 states, Hungry and thirsty,Their soul fainted in them. 6 Then they
cried out to the LORD in their trouble,

9. Tribulations are God’s way of pointing out sin.
James 5:15-17 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has
committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another,
that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

10. Tribulations are God's way of glorifying himself.
John 9:1-3 Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. 2 And His disciples asked Him,
saying, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "Neither this
man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.

One must not miss the opportunity for personal growth and for God to be glorified. Instead of asking "why me God?" ask "what in me needs changing?" or "How can I glorify you God?"

11. Tribulations keep us from getting too comfortable here on earth.
2 Cor 4:17-18 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and
eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen:
for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

12. Tribulations are at test to see the composition of our faith
Judges 2:19-22, 3:4 And they were left, that He might test Israel by them, to know whether they would obey
the commandments of the LORD, which He had commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses.

13. Tribulations can be the result of disobedience Deut. 28 A Reason for mental illness, (madness, blindness,
confusion, drive you mad) Robin know of a person who is making herself mentally ill.

Therefore tribulations:
1. Makes one aware of his own sinfulness.
2. Makes one aware of their need for a closer relationship with God.
3. Motivates one to search the Scriptures.
4. Motivates one to biblically prioritize life.
5. Provides opportunity for ministry to others.
6. Maintains an eternal focus.

Posted by Pastor Dan at 11:16 AM | Link to this post | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)