| Why Christians and Others Suffer? |
Creation date: 18-Dec-2016 |
| Are there any benefits? | Last date: 25-Aug-2024 |
| A A A help |
This author would state that if we, as Christians, are not experiencing undeserved suffering then we are not a threat to the Satanic World.
The Satanic World also targets the non-Christian ultimately with suffering by:
For the Christian, God absolutely and uses 100% of suffering for His Purposes that we may not understand fully until after the Judgment Seat of Christ and Great White Thrown of Judgment.
| Romans 8:28-30 | 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. |
The entire world recognizes that despite the ability for people to do good, that there are people that: start wars, commit murder, steel from others including their employer, commit adultery, abuse others, harm defenseless people, children and even animals, do not live up to commitments and endless list of specific evils.
The scriptures,
such as Mark 10:18, lets all of us know that there is no person good even though
we may do good things for our own selfish gratification motives and even be nice
to those we love.
| Mark 10:18 | So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. |
Our life's purpose is to develop a relationship with God. For the Christian, then there must be a purpose of suffering, which the scriptures informs us that when it is not because of sinful actions, it is to increase our love for God and have a greater relationship with God as explained in throughout this topic. Knowing there is a purpose with benefits and rewards that God will use is reassuring knowledge.
There are multiple scriptures, such as 1 Peter 5:8-10, that informs us that until the fulfillment of all magnificent scriptural prophecies, every iota and smallest of scripture words, will be fulfilled for the Glory and Proof Of God doing everything to perfections, and the Satanic Forces are proving their goal of the rebellion from Lucifer long ago.
| 1 Peter 5:8-10 | 8 Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 whom withstand steadfast in your faith, knowing that the same sufferings are accomplished in your brethren who are in the world. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you unto his eternal glory in Christ, after that ye have suffered a little while, shall himself perfect, establish, strengthen you. |
| Matthew 5:18 | For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota and a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. |
The understanding of "1 Peter 5:10" will let us know that Satanic world, with evil sinful people, that are behind temptations and suffering will have us gain a knowledge and love from God that is absolutely not possible without going through temptation and suffering. This is even related in popular literature of fictional people who because they went through great suffering were able to be stronger athletes, better leaders, loving parents, and so much more.
|
The "suffered a little while" is not meant as God watching us experiencing suffering, but proving to us that:
This is the point of the parable of Talents, Matthew 2:14-30, given by Jesus Christ. Even more than the parable of Talents, imagine the rewards in Heaven from being one of the people who died for serving God, which is what Jesus Christ did on the Cross! The non-Christian cannot understand this spiritual aspect because it requires the Holy Spirit indwelling.
It has been commonly said that sometimes God uses horrible situations around us to clear a path to force us to leave where we currently live and work. This is a like a storm that comes into damage homes and infrastructure, but the storm is to damage people in places that they work and live which required:
This is absolutely true for this author in numerous "storms" of great suffering which had to happen to move me into safety of a better employment, better relationships, and to allow a Judgment against evil people that was required where I needed to be removed to not experience God's Judgment with evil acting people. This is what happened with Sodom and Gomorrah requiring Lot to be physical removed from the City so that the Judgment could happen. |
| On November 29, 2023, I saw an interesting video, that I didn't see
the author's name to give credit for his brilliant comments about people
blaming God for death and suffering along with other people stating there is no god
because there is death and suffering in the world. (If the author is known,
please send me an email.)
In the short video, paraphrasing to the best of my memory, the man stated:
In this previous hypothetical correspondence between an Atheist and a Christian, the final question is meant to lead to two additional points:
|
If there is:
then the following points apply based on how we turn to God for guidance:
| Romans 5:1-5 | 1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. |
| Genesis 15:13-16 | 13 Then the LORD said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. 14 But I will judge the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will depart with many possessions. 15 You, however, will go to your fathers in peace and be buried at a ripe old age. 16 In the fourth generation your descendants will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.” |
| Romans 1:28-32 | 28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. |
Note that point 1 above and point 4 below apply to Israel in the purpose
of God promise of Genesis 15:13-16. Genesis for the future nation of
Israel where there were many benefits in the slavery going forward. We
do not always understand God's purposes where the
rewards in this life and
Eternity will show the purposes. One of the interesting points of
the Lake of Fire is all those that
are there will utterly completely alone and worship God for righteousness
judgment against themselves which even controls, through allowing, the paths
of evil to many of God's purposes.
| Romans 8:28 | "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." |
Notice "ALL THINGS" for those those who love God and for those of us who are
Saved.
| Matthew 19:29 | And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. |
| 2 Corinthians 5: 6-8 | 6 Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord-- 7. for we walk by faith, not by sight- 8 we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. |
Philippians 3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Note that the rebellion by Lucifer and the sin of Adam and Eve, have also caused God great suffering which required the death of His Son, Jesus Christ to make a payment for the sins of everyone to allow us to select Jesus Christ as our Savior. The end result of Lucifer's actions will give the unattended result by Lucifer, which is to give God Glory by the way God fixes and restores all things. This is awesome!
There are three very important scriptures that apply 100% to everyone's life.
First is patience for God to reward
Joseph, the son of Isaac, was sold into slavery by his brothers at the age 17 years old, as read in Genesis 37:28. Years later, as most Christians are familiar with the fabulous and inspiring saga of Joseph's life, Joseph becomes second in charge of all of Egypt, under Pharaoh, where his brothers come to buy grain from Egypt and do not recognize Joseph after an approximate 20 years. For the sake of brevity of the whole account of Joseph, when Joseph finally reveals himself to his brothers, Joseph says the most wonderful and God given maturity statements as described in Genesis 50:19-21 to his brothers where they are forgiven, but more importantly Joseph recognized that God used the evil deed done by brothers to bless Joseph and then Joseph's brothers, dad and all of Isaac's family. Be patient in all things as God is faithful to cause all to work for your favor.
| Genesis 37:28 | And there passed by Midianites, merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. And they brought Joseph into Egypt. |
| Genesis 50:19-21 | 19 And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? 20 And as for you, ye meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. 21 Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them. |
Second is forgive as Jesus Christ did on the Cross
There is always the possibility, in suffering, that those do evil towards us, may not fully understand what they are doing. Even when they know, we are to forgive them as that is what we are mandated to do as we understand the forgiveness given to us along with the rewards in Heaven. This is what Jesus Christ did on the Cross, and also what Stephen did at the moment before being stone to death.
| Luke 23:34 | And Jesus said, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And parting his garments among them, they cast lots. |
| Acts 7:60 | And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. |
Third is let God handle vengeance and never act on it
David, before becoming King David, had several opportunities to take vengeance on King Saul for the times King Saul tried to kill David out of jealousy and knowing God had chosen David over Saul. David never took the vengeance out on Saul where David could have killed Saul on several occasions. God handled the repercussions, ramifications and consequences of Saul's evil choices by allowing Saul to eventually take his own life in suicide.
Saul's life started wonderfully when Saul was honoring God, but then lived a poor life in fear, loneliness and sinful deeds such as consulting a Psychic Medium, which is one of the four greatest sins, in 1 Samuel 28:3-20, before Saul's eventual suicide. The important part for us to recognize is the importance of letting God handle vengeance, Deuteronomy 32:35.
| 1 Samuel 31 | Then said Saul to his armorbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armorbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took his sword, and fell upon it. |
| Deuteronomy 32:35 | Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly. |
All of us desire that God would prevent evil in the Christian's life along with the entire world. After 60 years on this earth, this author has seen countless times that God used difficult times to better the Christian with rewards afterwards where the perpetrators of wrong doings were given a period of time to be sinful against the Christian. The observation in the Scriptures, along with life today, is the perpetrators cannot claim it was a temporary or accidental sin as they continued in a sinful way until their iniquity was full. A scripture example is Genesis 15:14-16.
Consider the case of the Amorites and Egyptians, who were enemies of Israel in the Scriptures. Three points of what can be many:
The two following scripture verses, which also could be read in reverse order, speak about God's methods when dealing with Israel, Egypt and the Amorites.
| Genesis 15:14 and 16 | 14. And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they (Israel) come out with great substance. 16. But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full. |
In a modern-day example consider that Germany, as a nation, was guilty of heinous crimes against the world and the Jewish people during World War II. After the war ended, most of the war criminals were sentenced to life in prison. Rudolf Hess was put into Spandau Prison where he eventually committed suicide on August 17, 1987. It was after this event the Berlin Wall come down on November 9, 1989. Many Biblical Scholars point out that Hess was the last remaining high-ranking leader in the Nazis party and God waited until Hess's death to restore Germany, where Germany then began a great revival of their economy with the reunification of Germany. The unification happened less than a year after the Berlin Wall was removed. Rhetorically, was this a coincidence or God's timing?
Note that God has always been the protector of His people and always will administer judgment in His timing. The history of any nation going against Israel (the Jewish people) will result in that nation's demise in prosperity amongst many other negative consequences. This is also true for those who unrighteous oppose/hurt any Christian. Many Biblical Scholars have stated that the United States protection against overdue judgment of the immoralities has been postponed because of the United States' elegance to helping and protecting Israel.
It is interesting to hear those who oppose the thought of the existence of a Loving God, when they ask the question on "why is there suffering?" to somehow incorrectly prove that there cannot be a God. Because there is suffering and death in the world, then this is one of the primary reasons for many people to not believe or not think there is a God. The second statement by those do not believe in God is usually something to the effect of "if there is a God, then why doesn't He allow everyone into Heaven except for those like Adolph Hitler?"
It is interesting to watch and hear from people, that are agnostics and atheists believe mankind is basically good. This, according to the scriptures, is not true.
| Romans 3:10 | as it is written: None is righteous, no, not one; |
| Luke 18:19 | And Jesus said to him, Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. |
From many Biblical Scholars perspectives, the fact that there is evil in the world actually proves indirectly that there is the possibility of a God. The proof is understanding that there are unknown reasons, with external influences, that somehow are able to change people to be evil and also evil people into good people. An example in the scriptures is someone like the Apostle Peter, who was a crude speaking unlearned fisherman, who became a very eloquent, dignified and gifted man after receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
There are many scriptural passages dealing with suffering and receiving evil things that were not deserved. We all have heard the question on how can a loving God let so many evils happen in this world. This is actually not a complicated answer. Consider these two points before answering anyone who asks this question.
A possible answer to someone you know who wants to ridicule your belief is "that is such a deep subject and I'll have to think about it first", which will give them the victory they wanted and you may gain some respect for listening to them. The real reason is given in Ephesians 2, "..we were dead in our Transgressions..." where the scriptural answer could be summarized in your own words from elements of the Scripture.
| Ephesians 2:1-10 | 1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. |
Putting this into a Perspective with a better question: "How could a loving God who knows the end from the beginning, who sees the fall of man which would lead to so much pain, suffering and death, let it all happen when the only solution to man's predicament is the very death of God?"
Two answers of many:
The answer was even encrypted in the lineage of Adam and Eve along with the Mazzarouth.
| Hebrews 2:9 | But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. |
|
1 |
To Glorify God |
Consider many of the examples of great men and women in the Bible like
Daniel who faced the
Lion's den rather than send prayers
to Darius the Mede. God received the Glory by Daniel's actions and also
Daniel was rescued. James 1 2:4 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." Matthew 5:11-12 Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 6:1-6 There is so many more references! |
|
2 |
As Discipline for Known Sin |
A loving parent will discipline their children for many reasons such as penalty for doing wrong, to stop the child from doing it again and also to protect the child from the dangers that can result from continuation. |
|
3 |
To Prevent Us from Falling into Sin |
There are many temptations that begin with a simple thought in our minds such as "one time only won't hurt." One of the most commonly seen problems, in our world today, is the case of those who get quick fame or fortune and use it to participate in sinful activities. Jesus gave us "The parable of the Prodigal Son" where there is many great lessons to be taken from this Parable and can easily be applied to today's problems of using fame and fortune for the wrong pursuits. |
|
4 |
To Keep Us from Pride |
Pride caused Lucifer to fall (Isaiah 14:13-14). Pride caused King Saul to fall (1 Samuel 15:19->) These and other examples in the scriptures are very straightforward showing us how pride can cause us to sin. |
|
5 |
To Build Faith |
1
Peter 1:6-7 "6 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" |
|
6 |
To Grow |
In our earthly lives as we go through a scholastic program or a training program that requires hard work, we have to push ourselves to study or exercise so that we achieve the goals set. In our Spiritual Walk, the same aspects apply that yield great blessings in this life and rewards in eternity. When we go through a period of suffering that was not caused by sin, we grow in Faith through the perseverance (Romans 5:3-5). |
|
7 |
To Teach Obedience and Discipline |
We may not see the big picture in life and may not necessarily know the reasons why we had to wait or never achieve goals that we set for ourselves. What is paramount in remembering is God "He has begun a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus." Philippians 1:6 |
|
8 |
To Equip Us to Comfort Others |
Going through tough experiences will absolutely give us experience and
knowledge to impart onto others in helping them through their bad
experience and sufferings. Some examples: |
|
9 |
To Prove the Reality of Christ in Us |
Every man and woman of God in the Bible is tested. Testing reaffirms our resolution to trust God. 2 Corinthians 4:7-11 |
|
10 |
As Testimony to the Angels |
The Angels are not all knowing like God and they do not know the plans of God in our lives. They are watching us and how God is dealing with us all, which shows His Love for all of His Creation. In other words, Angels desire to learn, want to know more and learn about the plans of God, which are revealed in guidance in our lives. 1 Peter 1:12 describes "Angels desire to look into" in matters of the Holy Ghost. Also, the Angels rejoice over sinners who repent as read in Luke 15:10 "In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.". |
If you desire some more reading, see this link example from J Vernon McGee on why we suffer.
God made it very clear. In the world you are going to have tribulation trouble but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world (see John 16:33). It s hard to be of good cheer when you re having trouble, isn t it? But that s what He said because we will obtain rewards when suffering for anything done in Christ's sake.
There is an old clich "Satan burns all of his heroes" which means that those who enjoy the pleasures of sinful activity will suffer for it in this life by the hands of the very Satanic Spirit that gave it to them. In other words, the sinful gifts are always designed for short term gain with very high costs of payments that are designed to destroy, enslave and even potentially stop a person from asking God for help.
I have never known any Christian to not go through suffering of some kind throughout their lives. As Christians, we are by default the targets of Satanic Forces to disrupt our lives so that we will not be productive in our Christian Walk along with thwarting rewards accumulation in Heaven. This author accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior in October of 1983 and I remember one of my Christians mentors telling me that God's timing is always perfect on:
This author has been through some very traumatic experiences which those three bullet points exemplify. I will mention just two:
In summation, for me these events were very painful at the time. Now, both are like an old very distant memory in the past which I mention for the reader's edification. God has given me victories and restitution from both of these events where I have been restored from the losses in some remarkable beautiful ways. Additionally, regarding my family, I ended up raising my children and they all are doing very well.
Rhetorically, does anybody want to experience horrible experiences in life? Of course not. There are also events in my life that I have made bad choices that resulted in corrections by God that were very painful.
At the age of 59, I feel great regret and can trace consequences of something I should have known better not to have done when I was 19 years old dealing with emotions in a romantic relationship. The prayer for us all in any circumstance is "Let not the lessons learned be wasted." God used my negligence to experience a similar type of far worse consequences a few years later that was the catalyst for me accepting Jesus Christ as my Savior. I mention this to point out an example of how God used a painful, justified consequences event to actually save my eternal existence with future blessings.
It is sometimes easy to fall into self-pity when something negative happens that was not resulting from something wrong, we did. Part of what we all should realize, when in the midst of horrible events, is "we are about to be blessed" because when we are experiencing suffering, that is not part of God dealing with sins we have committed, then God will make the outcome be a blessing, even if it results in death. This is very complicated to explain in brief but there is enough discernment seen in the Scriptures, and in the world, to verify this:
| In a wonderful explained statement by
Jordan
Peterson that this author added some additional paraphrasing a little bit from a video interview of
Jordan concerning problems we face in life
that we did not cause: "What do you do when horrible things are chasing you? Turn around and face them. That's your best option, and this is the best principle because there is a metaphysical aspect in reality in having an adversary against us. The question is why would God allow an adversary or something against us? The reason is the adversary and conditions is because it makes us stronger. This is not cruel when God allows the adversary knowing you can win. To make things function you need this opposition between powerful forces for each and everyone because of God has the potential to be very strong in our life when we have Him. I (Jordan Peterson speaking) think that this is built into the opposition chaos (because of Satanic Realm), and this order is a hemispherical representation of something like the opposition between good and evil. We could and should get a higher good when there's opposition between good and evil in our lives. I (Jordan Peterson speaking) mean obviously these are ideas that are at the absolute extent of my cognitive ability to think them through. But maybe the good you get when good and evil are possibilities is a higher good than the good you get with just good. Dostoevsky knew this 150 years ago. He said if you gave people everything the want so all they had to do was eat cakes and busy themselves with continuation of the species then the first thing they do is smash it all to hell so that something interesting could happen." (Note: This author understands the Dostoevsky comment where I think Jordan should have added something about the deprived human sinful condition that we have until our regeneration at the Judgment Seat of Christ means that God is using the consequences of Fall of Human-Beings at the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve to have the actions of Lucifer have the opposite effect in giving a blessing to those who trust God through Jesus Christ.) |
Sadly, there are those in the Christian Community who
say incorrectly:
"You do not have
enough Faith and that is why you are having problems."
which is absolutely not
true. Also, many of us have heard:
"Christians are the only army in the world, who kill their wounded.",
which seems to be true in too many circumstances when Christians sometimes will not help fellow Christians when they are in the midst of troubles.
Consider the following:
Rhetorically, did they have a lack of Faith that could have freed them or got them in better circumstances? Of course not, and God used those periods for their betterment and future rewards. There are of course many other examples in the scriptures of men and women of Faith that went through periods of hardship but God was using all of it for His Purposes and Glory and their purposes and glory also.
What to read next?
If you have lost a child or young person then read about the Age of Accountability. What is Salvation? Is it is possible to lose Salvation? We have eternal life. Evolution is not real. Rewards in heaven. Do we Tithe? What does the 3rd Commandment tell us? What is Grace and Mercy? Is there a place of unending punishment and exile form God?