I've recently been reading a great trilogy called the Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers. It tells a story of a girl named Hadassah taking place right after the time Jesus died. Hadassah is a strong Christian in a time period where Christians were hated and persecuted. The series talks about her faith and how she shares the gospel with people in the Roman Empire. Anyway, it's a great read.
One of the reoccurring themes throughout the series is "Why?" Why, God, do you let terrible things happen. Do you really love us? How can you love us and allow such sin and brokenness into our lives. So it's really been on my heart lately and when I went to church with Keith this weekend, the sermon was about God's use of pain in suffering in our lives. Pastor Pat gave a list of reasons backed by scripture and I really wanted to share it
God uses pain in suffering in our lives to:
1. Promote spiritual maturity and Christ-like character
Count it joy, my brothers whenever you face trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have it's full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:2-4
2. Promote endurance--ability to turn adversity to spiritual prosperity
Count it joy, my brothers whenever you face trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have it's full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:2-4
3. Promote wisdom--ability to relate truth to experience
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is double-minded and unstable in all his ways.
James 1:5-8
4. Produce humility
Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat withers in the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
James 1:9-11
5. Provide opportunity for rewards
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12
6. Prove genuineness to our faith
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by carious trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith--more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire--may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory.
1 Peter 1:6-8
7. Manifest fruit of the spirit
For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
2 Corinthians 4:11
8. Learn contentment
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
Philippians 4:11
9. Help others who suffer
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 others who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
2 Corinthians 1: 3-4
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