Video from Our Daily Bread
What Jesus Said About Suffering
"Why would a good God allow you to suffer and abandon you in the midst of your pain? In “What Jesus Said About Suffering,” you’ll travel to Israel with Mart DeHaan and hear from biblical scholars as they discuss the “whys” of suffering. Examine the words of Jesus that reveal His response to human anguish. Consider whether you have reason to believe what Jesus said about suffering." from video introduction.
Us moderns have separated ourselves from many things that those before us like the Puritans etc. knew well and knew to be true. Suffering is one of those things about life that despite it's outward appearances through Christ has great benefits. Suffering is viewed as a mood-destroying interruption, in the best of times or a faith-wrecking event in the worst of times. No matter how big or small the suffering we instinctively react to suffering by fleeing. Suffering is our foe, our enemy of the good life.
I know I have done this many times when I was less mature and foolish. But if we continue to grow and mature in our relationship with Christ we soon realize that just as Christ suffered we too will suffer either sooner or later.
Romans 8:16-18 explains: The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
According to the Lord, suffering is the opposite of how we often interpret it; it is evidence that God, in his tender love and mercy, has saved us and is changing us, by his wise sovereignty, to be glorified with Christ.
Listen to this excellent Video from Our Daily Bread.
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