Finding Joy in Suffering

Why do good people suffer

Why does suffering suprise us?

our suffering has a purpose

Our suffering will be real but never random.

God knows the why he is not obligated to reveal the reason to us.

we can walk in full obedience and still have trouble

1 Peter 5:8–11 “Be sober; be on the alert. Your adversary the devil walks around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, because you know the same kinds of sufferings are being accomplished by your community of believers in the world. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered for a short time, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.”

John 16:33 “I have said these things to you so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have affliction, but have courage! I have conquered the world.””

Romans 8:35–39 “Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will affliction or distress or persecution or hunger or lack of sufficient clothing or danger or the sword? Just as it is written, “On account of you we are being put to death the whole day long; we are considered as sheep for slaughter.” No, but in all these things we prevail completely through the one who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”