Why do good people suffer grief and trials and hardships? Many have asked that question, and there have been many answers. Here we will take a positive look and answer the question from a biblical point of view.
First of all, it is true that many worldly and ungodly people suffer hardship because it is their own fault. Actually, that can be true of Christians as well. Bad choices. Not going first in prayer to the good Lord to ask for direction and guidance in a matter.
But sometimes it is just the fact that life in this old world can be unfair.......cruel, even. Then there is the devil. He is especially after and targeting Christians - to drag them down - because he already has the world in his hands; he already has ungodly people following him.
Remember Job? For those of you who are not familiar with his story in the Bible, for any who are not believers, here is a brief summary of what happened to him. Job was a wealthy man in ancient times, and had 7 sons and 3 daughters. He loved God and kept his integrity. One day the devil said to God, "Hast not thou made a hedge about him [Job], and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face." (Job 1:9-12) .
God answered satan by saying, All that Job had was now in the devil's hand and in the devil's power, only the devil could not, by God's command, put a hand on Job himself. The devil immediately began attacking Job by killing all of his children, and by Job losing all of his wealth. What was Job's reaction? He said, "The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." In all of this Job did not sin and did not charge God foolishly. (Job 1:20-22). So satan tried again and told God, "Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. But put forth thy hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face." (Job 2:3-10). "And the LORD said unto satan, behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life." (Job 2:6) The devil promptly struck Job with boils from his feet to his head. Job, though a bit self-righteous, still kept true to God. And after some time, God blessed Job with more than he had had previously, including ten more children. (Job 42:7-17)
We see from this that God Himself at times allows extreme suffering and loss and grief. God cannot be stirred up to do things against His will. Though it is not always clear how, everything that happens is part of His divine purpose. When we are going through difficult times, we need to ask for the good Lord's help to see it through to the very end. Rejoice and be glad, for God has something wonderful in store for those who endure !
Remember Job? For those of you who are not familiar with his story in the Bible, for any who are not believers, here is a brief summary of what happened to him. Job was a wealthy man in ancient times, and had 7 sons and 3 daughters. He loved God and kept his integrity. One day the devil said to God, "Hast not thou made a hedge about him [Job], and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face." (Job 1:9-12) .
God answered satan by saying, All that Job had was now in the devil's hand and in the devil's power, only the devil could not, by God's command, put a hand on Job himself. The devil immediately began attacking Job by killing all of his children, and by Job losing all of his wealth. What was Job's reaction? He said, "The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." In all of this Job did not sin and did not charge God foolishly. (Job 1:20-22). So satan tried again and told God, "Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. But put forth thy hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face." (Job 2:3-10). "And the LORD said unto satan, behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life." (Job 2:6) The devil promptly struck Job with boils from his feet to his head. Job, though a bit self-righteous, still kept true to God. And after some time, God blessed Job with more than he had had previously, including ten more children. (Job 42:7-17)
We see from this that God Himself at times allows extreme suffering and loss and grief. God cannot be stirred up to do things against His will. Though it is not always clear how, everything that happens is part of His divine purpose. When we are going through difficult times, we need to ask for the good Lord's help to see it through to the very end. Rejoice and be glad, for God has something wonderful in store for those who endure !
James 1:2-3 tells us, (2) "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; (3) Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience."
Some Bibles use the word "trials" in verse 2 instead of "temptations." These verses in James remind me of what Jesus said at Matthew 5:11, 12 , which follows:
(11) "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. (12) Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."
One commentator explains: "Those who suffer most, God imparts the highest rewards. Hence, the crown of martyrdom has been thought to be the brightest that any of the redeemed shall wear - many of the early Christians sought to become martyrs. Regard suffering as a great privilege thus to be persecuted and to suffer - a thing not to be mourned over, but as among the chief blessings of life."
In other words, our reason to rejoice in trials and persecution is our reward in heaven. The Christian life is not only believing, but also suffering.
"For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake:" - Philippians 1:29
"Reasons it is a privilege to suffer in the cause of Christ: (1) because we then resemble the Lord Jesus, and are united with Him in trials; (2) because we have evidence that we are His, if trials come upon us in His cause; (3) because we are maintaining such a cause is worth much of suffering; (4) because it will be connected with a brighter crown and more exalted honor in heaven." - So says one commentator.
Everything is not doom and gloom !! In 1 Peter 1:3-6 Peter gives us several reasons for rejoicing:
(3) "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope - by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (4) To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, (5) Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (6) Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:"
We can rejoice (verse 3 above) (1) because we have a Lively Hope; we can rejoice (2) because we have a lasting Inheritance as mentioned in verse 4 ; (3) because we have a Long-term
Salvation as told in verse 5; and (4) because we have a longed for Final Reward as brought out in verse 6 of 1 Peter chapter 1. So you can see that things are not all that bad! Rejoice in the Lord always!
Our trials are really working for our good. God is in the process of shaping and molding us.....refining us and making us stronger in our dependence upon Him; helping us to become more like Christ.
We may not see the benefit today, but when we stand before the Lord in heaven and we are rewarded for our walk with Him and for the sufferings we endured here below, it will be worth it all then.
Following is a 6 minute audio video by John Newton concerning "The School of Suffering". Two things he said in this quick sermon clip stood out to me: (1) "A Christian without trials would be like a mill without wind or water" and, (2) "The difficult things we meet with not only prove but strengthen the graces of the spirit."
"I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me." - Philippians 4:13
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." - Romans 8:28
But what if you are not a true believer and are not born again?
You are lost and destined for hell if you do not repent of your sins and turn to Jesus in heartfelt belief that He is the Savior and the only way to God and to heaven.
Pray for forgiveness, turn from your sins and do not go back to your sinful life. Only Jesus can give true freedom; only Jesus can wash away your sins.
Think about it: Jesus loves you so much that He died a cruel and painful death on the cross at Calvary so that if you but believe in Him you have the hope of eternal life with Him forever !! He took all of our sins upon Himself while on the cross; He took our place so that we could live forever.
Choose life eternal !
Choose Jesus !
We are living in the last hour of the last days. Bible prophecy is being fulfilled or current events are precursors to what the Bible said would happen in these end times.
Time is short! Don't be left behind to face the catastrophes and the destruction and the wrath of God during the 7 year tribulation which happens after Jesus returns to Rapture true believers to be with Him in heaven.
Read Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 where the signs of the end times are explained; take the message to heart and make your decision NOW to accept Jesus as your Savior. Only He can give you hope and eternal life.
Romans 10:9,10,13 tells us: (9) "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." - John 14:6
"Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." - John 14:23
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3:16
Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend.... and life !
(3) "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope - by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (4) To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, (5) Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (6) Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:"
We can rejoice (verse 3 above) (1) because we have a Lively Hope; we can rejoice (2) because we have a lasting Inheritance as mentioned in verse 4 ; (3) because we have a Long-term
Salvation as told in verse 5; and (4) because we have a longed for Final Reward as brought out in verse 6 of 1 Peter chapter 1. So you can see that things are not all that bad! Rejoice in the Lord always!
Our trials are really working for our good. God is in the process of shaping and molding us.....refining us and making us stronger in our dependence upon Him; helping us to become more like Christ.
We may not see the benefit today, but when we stand before the Lord in heaven and we are rewarded for our walk with Him and for the sufferings we endured here below, it will be worth it all then.
Following is a 6 minute audio video by John Newton concerning "The School of Suffering". Two things he said in this quick sermon clip stood out to me: (1) "A Christian without trials would be like a mill without wind or water" and, (2) "The difficult things we meet with not only prove but strengthen the graces of the spirit."
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." - Romans 8:28
But what if you are not a true believer and are not born again?
You are lost and destined for hell if you do not repent of your sins and turn to Jesus in heartfelt belief that He is the Savior and the only way to God and to heaven.
Pray for forgiveness, turn from your sins and do not go back to your sinful life. Only Jesus can give true freedom; only Jesus can wash away your sins.
Think about it: Jesus loves you so much that He died a cruel and painful death on the cross at Calvary so that if you but believe in Him you have the hope of eternal life with Him forever !! He took all of our sins upon Himself while on the cross; He took our place so that we could live forever.
Choose life eternal !
Choose Jesus !
We are living in the last hour of the last days. Bible prophecy is being fulfilled or current events are precursors to what the Bible said would happen in these end times.
Time is short! Don't be left behind to face the catastrophes and the destruction and the wrath of God during the 7 year tribulation which happens after Jesus returns to Rapture true believers to be with Him in heaven.
Read Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 where the signs of the end times are explained; take the message to heart and make your decision NOW to accept Jesus as your Savior. Only He can give you hope and eternal life.
Romans 10:9,10,13 tells us: (9) "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." - John 14:6
"Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." - John 14:23
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3:16
Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend.... and life !
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