1 Suffering for Spiritual Growth This book is dedicated to all of us who have gone through or may be going through some form of personal suffering. In this book we will examine the problems, and divine solutions connected with all the different kinds of suffering in life. Adversity plays a major role in our life, and that is because suffering is like a parent. What responsible parents do for their children, suffering does for adults. The discipline and restraints of childhood imposed by parents are replaced by the discipline and restraints of adult life enforced by suffering. Suffering challenges the Christian to learn and utilize the divine assets God has provided. Suffering depletes our human resources, and makes us realize our total dependence upon the grace of God. And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. (2CO 12:9-10) Suffering impresses upon us our need for God. However, we will see in this study that suffering is not merely a warning and a restraint, but it is also a teacher and motivator as well. Misfortune does not always come to injure us. Pain and suffering not only discourages us from going in the wrong direction, but it can also help to drive us in the right direction. “This is my comfort in my affliction, That Thy word has revived me.” (PSA 119:50) “Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Thy word.” (PSA 119:67) “It is good for me that I was afflicted, That I may learn Thy statutes.” (PSA 119:71) “I know, O Lord, that Thy judgments are righteous, And that in faithfulness Thou hast afflicted me.” (PSA 119:75) |
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