1. Why do God’s People Suffer?

2. Wrong Answers Include…
Your sins, Job 4:7; 22:4-5
Your parents’ sins, John 9:1-3
Jesus denied a necessary, direct linkage between personal suffering and personal sin
Used as a warning, Luke 13:1-5

3. Right Answers Include…
The pains of mortality are a result of sin entering the world (Gen. 3)
The presence of evil (Job 1:7)
Time and chance (Eccl. 9:11-12)

4. Suffering in the World
Blessings can be found, even though we do not know all the “whys,” Eccl. 8:16-17
Consider day of adversity, Eccl. 7:13-14
Trust that all works together for good to those who love God, Rom. 8:28

5. A Time of Education Heb. 12:3-8, 11 (5:7-8)
To turn to God, Amos 4:6-12
Results of such training:
Life (Heb. 12:9)
Holiness (Heb. 12:10)
Righteousness (Heb. 12:11)
Rest from adversity found in God’s word, Psa. 94:12-15; 119:71 (65-67)

6. Suffering Refines Us 1 Peter 1:6-7 (Psa. 66:10-12)
Produces trust, Psalm 3
Produces patience, James 1:2-4 (Rom. 12:12); Rom. 5:3
Promotes dependence on God’s strength, 2 Cor. 12:9-10 (Prov. 24: 16, 10)

7. A Testimony to Others Of God’s righteous judgment, 2 Ths. 1:3-7
Of God’s glory, John 11:4
Of God’s grace in your lives, Cor. 12:9
Of your reliance upon Christ, Phil. 1:28-30

8. Humbly Received 2 Tim. 3:12; 1 Pet. 4:16
With rejoicing, 1 Peter 4:12-14; Matthew 5:10-12
With an eternal outlook, 2 Cor. 4:16-18 (Rom. 8:17; Phil. 3:10-11)

9. Yes, the Righteous Suffer
Faith to see our blessings even in our moment of pain, James 1:12
Unpleasant, yet fruitful, Heb. 12:11
Eyes of faith see the eternal rest that waits beyond the tears, Rev. 14:13; 21:4