Testing and Suffering: Undeserved and Deserved
- Undeserved suffering is part of the normal Christian way of life. It glorifies God and strengthens believers in the faith. It is not a result of personal sin, spiritual immaturity, or failure to apply Bible doctrine (Job; 2 Corinthians 12:1-10; Galatians 4:29; Philippians 1:29-30; 1 Peter 2:19-21; 3:17; 4:15-16; 5:8-11).
- Deserved suffering is brought on ourselves because of our failures and sin. God may intervene to correct us and put us under suffering or testing, or man starts events that take their natural course and result in suffering or testing (Revelation 3.19-20; Hebrews 12:4-11; 1 John 5.16; 1 Peter 2:20; 4:15).
Six Questions to Ask during Testing and Suffering
- Am I believing in Jesus Christ for forgiveness and eternal life (John 3:16-18; 20:31; 1 John 5:13)?
- Do I really know who God is (Lamentations 3:21-25; Psalm 92:1-2; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; 2 Timothy 1:12)?
- Do I accept that what I believe in the Bible is more real than how I feel (Psalm 13; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Philippians 4.11-13; Hebrews 11.1,6; 1 Peter 1:3-9)?
- Am I living the Christian life by using God’s supernatural spiritual resources (Ephesians 1:3; Hebrews 12:1-3; Galatians 5:5; 1 Peter 4:8-11)?
- Am I watching for the good—the blessing—that God is working out in my life now (Genesis 45:5; 50:20; Romans 8:28; 1 Peter 5:10)?
- Is the Christian life worth it? Yes (Romans 8:18; 2 Cor 4.17).
Response to testing and suffering: we are to know, To believe, and to apply these themes which God reveals over and over in the Psalms we have been studying, and throughout the Bible
- God’s nature is perfect. His attributes are the outward display of his nature. He is always true to his nature and his word, (Exodus 3.1-7; 14.10-31; 15.11; 34.5-9; Psalm 19; 24.3-10; 36.5-7; 50.1; Job 42.1-3; Isaiah 6.3; Matthew 6.25-34; Revelation 15.3; John 10.28-30).
- God’s love for us is perfect, secure, and forever (Psalm 51.1; 117; 118.1; 143.1,8,12; Romans 5.8; 8.31-39; Ephesians 2.4-7; 1 John 4.9,10,16).
- God’s provision of spiritual blessings makes successful godly living possible (life of Moses and others, many Psalms, 1 Corinthians 10.13; 12.1-7; 2 Corinthians 12.7-10; Galatians 5.16-26; Ephesians 1.3; Philippians 4.13; Hebrews 11.6; 12.1-3).
- God’s ministry through us goes on and on in spite of circumstance, though the form of ministry may change with time, age, and circumstances (Exodus 4.1-17; 2 Corinthians 12.7; Philippians 4.13; 1 Peter 4.10-11).