2. Introduction Atheists claim human suffering proves God does not exist.
If God is real shouldn’t life be a bed of roses?
But, undeniably, God allows suffering: Job 14:1
Thus, we need strength, endurance and patience.
We need to understand the “why’s” and “wherefores” of God’s purposes in allowing suffering: Job 1-2:10

3. Questions About Suffering 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:2

4. Questions About Suffering
Why do people suffer?
The Bible teaches there are various reasons for suffering:
Sin: 1 Chron. 10:13-14; Matt. 27:3-5; 1 Pet. 2:19-23; Jn. 15:18-20; 2 Cor. 11:23-26; 2 Tim. 3:12
Adam & Eve’s sin: Gen. 3:16-19; Rom. 5:17; 1 Cor. 15:22; Heb. 9:27; Ezek. 18:20; 2 Cor. 5:10
Temptation from Satan: Job 1:1-2:10; 2 Cor. 12:7-10; Lk. 13:16; Acts 10:38
Questions About Suffering

5. Questions About Suffering
Why do people suffer?
Lessons we should learn:
Suffering is not limited to the wicked: Job 4:7-9
Righteous people suffer too: 2 Tim. 3:12
God should not be blamed for suffering: Lk. 13:2-5; sJob 1-2:8; Jas. 1:13-15
Questions About Suffering

6. Can suffering have good results?
Simple answer is “Yes!”
If we remain faithful, there can be favorable results!
Prove our commitment to God: 1 Pet. 1:6-7; Acts 5:40-42; 1 Pet. 4:12-13
Causes spiritual growth: Jas. 1:2-4; Rom. 5:3-5
Keeps us humble and dependent on God: 2 Cor. 1:8-10; 12:7-10; Gen. 50:20; 1 Pet. 2:21-24; Rom. 8:28
Questions About Suffering

7. What assurance that we can endure?
“I just can’t take it anymore! I can’t hold out!”
We rationalize that what we’re going through God surely can’t expect us to endure.
The Bible makes definite promises to aid us: 1 Cor. 10:13
Thus we need to look for the “way of escape” from temptation and not for an excuse to quit! Psa. 34:19
God does not necessarily remove the affliction, but He makes a way for us to endure it: Rom. 8:35-39; 1 Pet. 5:8-9; Jas. 4:7; Prov. 24:10
Questions About Suffering

8. What assurance that we can endure?
The Bible not only gives us promises to overcome suffering, it also gives us examples to follow:
The prophets & Job: Jas. 5:10-11
Paul: 2 Tim. 1:8
Jesus & Old Testament worthies: Heb. 12:1-4; 1 Pet. 2:19-23
Questions About Suffering

9. What blessings does God provide to help us endure?
God’s promises to help! Psa. 46:1; Heb. 13:5b-6
Some avenues God uses to help us endure:
Scriptures: Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:13; Jas. 1:13; Heb. 11 & 12
Prayer & worship: Jas. 5:13; Phil. 4:6-7; Job 1:20; 1 Pet. 5:7; Matt. 26:36-46; 2 Cor. 12:7-10; Heb. 4:16
Other Christians: 2 Cor. 1:3-4; Gal. 6:2; Heb. 10:24-25; 1 Cor. 12:26; 1 Thess. 5:11, 14
Hope of eternal life: Rom. 8:16-18; 2 Cor. 4:17; Rom. 8:17; Jas. 1:12; Matt. 5:10-12; 2 Tim. 1:11-12; 2:12; 1 Pet. 1:3-7; 4:13
Questions About Suffering

10. Conclusion Faithful Christians will suffer: 2 Tim. 3:12
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”
2 Corinthians 4:16-5:2
Faithful Christians will suffer: 2 Tim. 3:12
Yet the Christian life is still the best!
Christians alone have the assurances that…
Leads to endurance,
God will help us,
Results will turn out well! Heaven!
2 Corinthians 4:16-5:2