Surprised by Joy: The unexpected profit of pain and adversity in the sovereign plan of God

Surprised by joy: The unexpected profit of pain and adversity in the sovereign plan of God – Ecclesiastes 7.1-14 Proposition: Two surprising realities that prove that pain and adversity in life are not always as bad as we think they are. 1st surprising reality—Pain and adversity have their advantages (vv. 1-12) 10 ironic statements that don’t seem to be true, but are true when you have a sovereign God as the treasure of your life Ironic statement #1 Ironic statement #2 Ironic statement #3 Ironic statement #4 Ironic statement #5 Ironic statement #6 Ironic statement #7 Ironic statement #8 Ironic statement #9 Ironic statement #10 2nd surprising reality—The sovereignty of God solves the problem of pain (vv. 13-14)