Scripture writers are honest about the reality of trouble and suffering in this world.
In John 16:33 Jesus said, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
The guy who wrote about half of the New Testament, Paul, talked a lot honestly about his own suffering. In Philippians 1:29 he wrote to Christ-followers and said, “For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.” That is a statement that catches my attention; especially in light of some Bible teachers who do ‘theological gymnastics’ to try and eliminate suffering from their paradigm. In this broken world, suffering and trouble are realities for a time. And admitting this is not a lack of faith in a powerful, miracle working God either.
Below are Bible verses to read (I suggest biblegateway.com if you don’t have a Bible). It’s good food for consideration in preparation for our Sunday gathering on May 29th where we will be looking at what the Bible says about suffering, and then on June 5th Evan & Shelley Schmidtke will share their story about the painful experience of losing their young adult daughter, Stephanie, in a vehicle accident in 2013.
See: Psalm 56:8; Acts 14:22; II Corinthians 4:16–18; II Tim. 1:11–12; James 1:2–4; I Peter 4:12–13; I Peter 5:10