PRESENTATION OUTLINE
WHAT'S SO GREAT ABOUT SUFFERING?
Suffering will ultimately reveal what is already in our hearts. If we have or if we don't have that character already in us. It's good to have challenges to build that character already inside of us. Strength of character is shown not when all is well with our world but in the presence of human suffering. Romans 5: 3-5 says, ""Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.""
Pain and suffering will push us towards Jesus. Our trials will also give us the opportunity to trust God. Job 6: 10 says, ""Then I would still have this consolation - my joy in unrelenting pain - that denied the words of the Holy One."" The most famous sufferer of all time was Job. According to the bible Job lost his family to ""a mighty wind,"" his wealth to war and fire, and his health to painful boils. After all Job went through, he concluded that if God had the power and wisdom to create this physical universe, there was reason to trust the same God in times of suffering.
Pain loses our grip on this life. When we go through trials in life we realize that this life on earth is only a fraction of our life, since we live (our souls) for eternity. Each new pain makes this world less inviting and the next life more appealing. In its own way, pain paves the way for a graceful departure. Matthew 6: 19-21 says, "" Do not store up for yourselves on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.""
(Ecclesiastes 12: 1-14)
