We’ve been looking at what the Word of God says is the will of God for our lives.  I want to look at a couple of troubling ones today.

 

First, it is the will of God for you to suffer!

 

1 Peter 4:19

19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

 

Ouch!  Why would a loving God want His children to suffer?  You have to keep in mind that God has a perfect reason for everything that happens to us.  Undeserved suffering is one way God makes us focus on what is important in life. 

 

What can suffering do in your life?  It can:

 

  1. Prove the reality of your faith to others.

1 Peter 1:7

7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

 

  1. Develop obedience to His will.  (It even worked that way for Jesus!)

Hebrews 5:8

8 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.

 

  1. Give you confidence and perseverance in your spiritual walk.

Romans 5:3

3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;

 

  1. Restrain our biggest problem – arrogance!

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

7 Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me -- to keep me from exalting myself!

8 Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me.

9 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, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

10 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.

 

This moves us to related issue.  It is God’s will for you to give thanks for everything.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:18

18 in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

 

We are commanded to be thankful for EVERYTHING that happens in our life!  This includes undeserved suffering!  This can be quite a problem, because everything that happens to us is not pleasant.  You have probably noticed in your own life that there is going to be a great deal of suffering, heartache, adversity and tribulation.  But as a growing believer, you must have the confidence that this promise of God is true:

 

Romans 8:28

28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

 

If you are a growing believer, and you (therefore) love God, then suffering can ONLY be a blessing for you.  All things are not good (there’s an understatement!), but no matter how bad they seem, God is working them together in your life for the ultimate good, according to HIS will and purpose.  Since even the bad things are part of God’s will, and are designed to ultimately glorify God, then we should be thankful for them.  It is God’s will for you to be thankful for EVERYTHING – the sufferings, adversities, and tragedies as well as the blessings, successes, and victories.  Even discipline from God is designed to work for your good, because it is given to turn you back to the will of God for your life.

 

This doesn’t necessarily mean that you will enjoy suffering!  But knowing that God has promised to work it out for the best, and realizing that your suffering will end up glorifying God, will give you that ray of hope in the midst of trying situations.