Part 3: Reasons
There are six possible reasons why we suffer. Choose one or more that best fits your suffering.
8. Is God taking revenge?
“Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?” Ezekiel 33:11 For further study see Romans 5:8.
9. Is our suffering the result of our own doing?
“But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.” 1 Corinthians 11:32 For further study see Psalms 107:17 and Hebrews 12:5-7.
Note: chastened- instruct, teach, or correct
10. Is it to bring glory to His cause?
“Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” John 9:3 For further study see John 11:4.
Note: “It was generally believed by the Jews that sin is punished in this life. Every affliction was regarded as the penalty of some wrongdoing, either of the sufferer himself or of his parents. It is true that all suffering results from the transgression of God’s law, but this truth had become perverted. Satan, the author of sin and all its results, had led men to look upon disease and death as proceeding from God,—as punishment arbitrarily inflicted on account of sin. Hence one upon whom some great affliction or calamity had fallen had the additional burden of being regarded as a great sinner.” {Ellen White, DA pg. 471.1}
11. Is God preparing us for some future work or event?
“And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants. And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” Genesis 50:18-20 For further study see Genesis 41:52.
Note: The story of Joseph is the ultimate rags to riches story. He started out as a shepherd boy in the land of Canaan. His family were strangers in the land. Joseph’s own brothers sold him off as a slave. He worked hard and climbed to the top position a slave could hold. Joseph learned to understand the life of a slave. As if this wasn’t a low enough position, Joseph was then thrown in prison for a crime he did not commit. He adjusted and became a leader even in prison. He was then pulled out of prison to take his position as second in command in Egypt. Joseph was now an empathetic leader because he understood the lot of the stranger, the slave, and the prisoner. We may not see how God is leading us but we can trust that He knows the way.
12. Are you persecuted for Christ’s sake?
“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Matthew 5:10-12 For further study see 2 Corinthians 4:8-9.
13. Is God refining your character?
“Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.” Isaiah 48:10
“The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord trieth the hearts.” Proverbs 17:3 For further study see 1 Peter 1:7 and Psalms 66:10.