1. Why Do We Suffer?

2. Why is there suffering in our world?
This question is asked in many different ways.
Why does God allow suffering?
Why do Christians suffer?
How can a loving God allow such pain?

3. Here are some Biblical answers

4. Why do we Suffer?
1. Suffering keeps this world from being too attractive
For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.  (Hebrews 13:14)
Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,  (1 Peter 2:11)

5. Why do we Suffer? 2. Suffering can bring out our best
And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;  (Romans 5:3)

6. Why do we Suffer?
3. Suffering gives us ability to silence the enemies of God
For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—  (1 Peter 2:15)
Job silenced Satan
We must patiently endure

7. Why do we Suffer? 4. Suffering makes us appreciative
We take comforts of life for granted
Health, friends, freedom, loving family

8. Why do we Suffer? 4. Suffering makes us appreciative
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,  4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,  5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,  6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;  (Philippians 1:3-6)
Written from prison in Rome.

9. Why do we Suffer? 5. Suffering makes us depend on God
We think we can handle everything
for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.'  (Acts 17:28)
You can not breath without God!

10. Why do we Suffer? 6. Suffering purifies us
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 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,  (1 Peter 1:6-7)

11. Why do we Suffer? 7. Suffering helps us be sympathetic
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.  5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.  (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)

12. Why do we Suffer? 8. Suffering teaches us to pray
We pray often in worship
In time of suffering – we pray fervently and earnestly
We pray with groanings that we can not utter (Romans 8:26)

13. Conclusion There is value to suffering
Man’s viewpoint – pain, not understand
God’s viewpoint – value, growth, salvation

14. Conclusion God’s ways are above our ways
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD.  9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.  (Isaiah 55:8-9)