Suffering Can Be Good

You read the title right, suffering can be good.

We all know suffering is a terrible thing and many atheists use the problem of suffering as an argument to disprove the existence of God.

I am currently reading On Guard by Dr. William Lane Craig which is an excellent apologetic book. A topic he covers is the problem of suffering. Now he gives many fantastic points on the topic but one of my biggest takeaways is how suffering can draw us closer to God. It makes us rely more on Him and we appreciate our blessings. You can see this in how many of the nations who suffer the most turn to Christ more than the nations who live in prosperity. The Gospel is exploding in countries that suffer.

Which means suffering can be good because it draws us closer to the One who is good, God Himself.

Remember this and also that our suffering is only temporary.

As it says in 1 Peter 5:10, “10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”

Stay strong in the faith, and as always…

Have a Blessed Week,
Chris

Daily Bible Readings:

Monday – Isaiah 43:16-21

Tuesday – Psalm 126

Wednesday – Philippians 3:4b-14

Thursday – John 12:1-8

Links:
William Lane Craig on Suffering:

Bible Verses on Suffering:

https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/bible-verses-about-suffering/

On Guard: Defending Your Faith with Reason and Precision:

Jesus Can Relate

In all our struggles Jesus can relate and sympathize with us.

We know Jesus suffered and died for us in order for us to be saved.

But let’s dig deeper. Jesus whole live was a struggle. He was born into poverty, worked a tough job as a carpenter, when He started His ministry, He was mocked and not believed by His own brothers and sisters. 

Jesus lived poor, homeless, relying on the Father to provide food and needs each day. He dealt with anger, selfishness, ungratefulness from people. People abandoned His ministry. He battled religious leaders of the day.

He dealt with many emotions, He got angry, He grieved, He got stressed. He faced temptation from the devil himself. And His life was threatened many times.

In the end one of His best friends betrayed Him and He was wrongfully accused, tortured and was killed.

Yet knowing all this was to come He stayed faithful and did all that He had to do.

So not only can He relate and sympathize with our problems, He can help you in your struggles. Truth is there is no one better to go to in your struggles because there is no one greater than God.

Isn’t it amazing that Jesus chose to do this? He was and will always be God but He chose to live this hard life and suffer for us even though He didn’t have to, even though at any point He could stop His suffering, His pain and struggles, He did it anyway.

What a great God we serve!

Pray always and go to the Bible for help. Remember the Bible is the Word of God but Jesus Himself is the Word.

So going to the Bible is going to Jesus. 

Immerse yourself in the Word and trust in Him, listen to Him, He will also listen to you.

He is with you in all your struggles and He will be there always until the end.

And after the end too.

Because when the race is over He will be there to tell you “well done my good and faithful servant.”

Have a Blessed Week,

Chris

Scripture Reading Plan:

Monday – 2 Samuel 23:1-7

Tuesday – Psalm 132:1-18

Wednesday – Revelation 1:4-8

Thursday – John 18:33-37

NFL Quarterback Nick Foles on God, Trials and Doubt

Nick Foles was asked if he had any doubt about getting his starting quarterback job back after his injury.

This was his response,

“No. Right when I felt this thing break, that’s when I went into the locker room and I realized, ‘God, this wasn’t exactly what I was thinking. Obviously, you get here and you want to create a culture and impact people. But at the end of the day, if this is the journey you want me to go on, I’m going to glorify you in every action, good or bad.’ I still could have joy in an injury. People hear that and say that’s crazy, but when you believe in Jesus. You go out there and you play, that changes your heart.”

“Just like when I hoisted the Lombardi Trophy, the reason I’m smiling, my faith was in Christ. In that moment, I realized I didn’t need that trophy to define who I was because it was already in Christ. That’s my message when I played. Same thing happens when I get injured. We tend to make this so much about us as human beings. It’s not about us. If you make it about yourself, you’re probably going to go home at night and lay your head on your pillow and be very alone and very sad.”

“Our purpose isn’t football. It’s impacting people. My ministry happens to be the locker room. I’ve still been able to get to know these guys through an injury.”

“From a spiritual perspective, I’ve been able to grow as a human being. I feel like I’m at a better situation as a person than I was before because of the trial I just went under. I know that’s a sermon in itself but that’s how I go through life. It’s not always about prosperity. I don’t believe in the prosperity gospel. I believe if you read the word of God and you understand it, there’s trials along the way but they equip your heart to be who you are.”

What an amazing message.

Have a Blessed Week,
Chris