Why Bad Things Happen (Part 2)

Suffering Has Benefits Ecclesiastes 7:2–5 (NKJV) 2 Better to go to the house of mourning Than to go to the house of feasting, For that is the end of all men; And the living will take it to heart. 3 Sorrow is better than laughter, For by a sad countenance the heart is made better. 4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, But the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. 5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise Than for a man to hear the song of fools.

Suffering Has Benefits Psalm 119:71 (NKJV) 71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes.

Choose to see suffering as an opportunity to learn. Suffering teaches us what’s truly important. Psalm 119:67 (NKJV) 67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word.

Choose to see suffering as an opportunity to learn. Suffering teaches us by giving us great insight into sin. Romans 5:12 (NKJV) 12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—

Choose to see suffering as an opportunity to learn. Suffering teaches us to learn to be thankful. Romans 8:28 (NKJV) 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Choose to see suffering as an opportunity to learn. Suffering teaches us to learn to be thankful. Genesis 45:5 (NKJV) 5 But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.

Choose to see suffering as an opportunity to learn. Suffering teaches us the value of prayer. Luke 22:44 (NKJV) 44 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Choose to see suffering as a blessing. Suffering reminds us that we cannot rely upon ourselves. 2 Corinthians 1:8–9 (NKJV) 8 For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. 9 Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead,

Choose to see suffering as a blessing. Suffering also reveals who you really are. Matthew 13:20–21 (NKJV) 20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.

Choose to see suffering as a blessing. Suffering places us in a position to help others. 2 Corinthians 1:3–4 (NKJV) 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Choose to see suffering as a blessing. Suffering grooms us for eternity. 1 Peter 1:7 (NKJV) 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,

Choose to see suffering as a blessing. Suffering grooms us for eternity. 2 Corinthians 12:10 (NKJV) 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.