Part 2 - SPECIAL: More on Suffering

OUTLINE:

Is 55:8-9
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.


When will you ever STOP your complaining and ask God WHY He’s ordained this type of suffering in your life?

Jas 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

1Co 15:22
For as in Adam all die…so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

Is This "Fair"???
But he was wounded for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his stripes we are healed.
- Isa 53:5

Perspective Is Everything!
Thank God He DIDN'T treat us fairly, as we deserved.
But instead, His tremendous love received our unfair treatment of Him, and He came down to suffer for us so that He could save us anyway!

Perspective on Suffering
People often cry “undeserved suffering” when, from God’s perspective, there’s no such thing. God uses “all things” to work out “good” in us (Ro 8:28). Instead of trying to classify suffering as “deserved” or “undeserved”, consider it a critical, necessary tool God uses to sanctify His children.

Learn to See Past the Pain
God uses “localized” suffering to deliver us from “distant” maladies. Although the “localized” pain captures our attention, it’s the “distant” issue God is working on.

Lk 23:33-34a
And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

The Harm from False Doctrines
Do we call it "undeserved suffering" so we can walk away feeling justified and ignore the call to love those who caused it??!

Jn 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

Learn to See Past the Pain
God uses “localized” suffering to deliver us from “distant” maladies. Although the “localized” pain captures our attention, it’s the “distant” issue God is working on.

2 Co 4:17
For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison

Suffering from God’s Perspective
Until your heart is perfected (like Christ’s) you will always have areas in you, whether local or distant, that need adjustment. Those adjustments are painful and cause real suffering. If the distant issue didn’t need adjusting, the local wouldn’t ever be required; hence, all suffering is “deserved”.