8 TRUTHS ABOUT SUFFERING

1) Christ's suffering / death on the cross completely paid for all sin for all time for all people. (Hebrews 2:9, 10:10-14; 1 Peter 3:18)

2) Human suffering may be due to Adam's sin (the curse), individual sin (the consequences), Satanic attack (1 Peter 5:8-9), the hatred of the world toward Christ (John 15:18-16:6), and due to God's known or unexplained purposes. (Romans 8:28-29; Book of Job)

3) Human affliction can cause believers to learn God's Word (Ps. 119:67), to learn to trust and obey the Lord (Ps. 119:71), to learn patience (Romans 5:3-4), to prevent spiritual pride (2 Cor. 12:7-11), and to give us a true scale of values. (James 1:2-12; 1 Peter 1:6-9)

4) Suffering for Christ can be expected in a godly life. (Phil. 1:29; 2 Tim. 3:12; Heb. 10:32; 1 Peter 4:1-16)

5) Enduring suffering for Christ can bring believers future reward in heaven. (2 Cor. 4:17; James 1:12)

6) Going through suffering by trusting the Lord prepares you to help others find the comfort of God in their own suffering. (2 Cor. 1:3-10)

7) Suffering for Christ is worth it now due to the glory of God (1 Peter 4:16), the salvation of others (2 Tim. 2:8-10), the ministry to believers (Col. 1:24), and your own spiritual growth (Phil. 3:10), and it will also be worth it later (Mt. 5:11-12; Rev. 2:10).

8) All human suffering on planet earth will be abolished when God creates a new heaven and a new earth with the New Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven and resting on planet earth. (Rev. 21:1-4)