Is there a massive difference between suffering in general and suffering for belief in Christ?

There is a difference between suffering in general (being in a toxic/abusive relationship, having a bad relationship with your parents, losing a child... etc) and suffering for Christ (being persecuted for your belief like you're being beaten up just because of that, someone attacks you just because you're Christian, etc)

But remember Job was tried and tested and he did nothing wrong. He lost his livelihood, his children, he was in a lot of pain health wise, even his wife told him to curse God and die. So sometimes what we go through isn't punishment, it's a trial or test of your faith.

To give you an example, my husband went through a Job season where his dad died (heart failure), his family house burned down and a lot of his stuff was still there (like a dozen guitar collection), and his mom had a stroke, all within 1 year. It brought him closer to God, his mom closer to God and the difference in his fruit is drastic. So while only you can decide if this is punishment or trial, don't forget that trials do exist and the point is to draw you closer to him.

skyoxshora said:

I have been suffering immensely recently but it is not because of my belief in Christ. This has lead me to believe I am being punished rather than having my faith cleansed through fire. Is this a fair belief?

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Just offer up your suffering to God for others...

skyoxshora said:

Sorry to hear about you and your husband's struggle, it's great that it ended up bringing him and his mom closer to God!

A lot of the suffering and blessings I get are in rapid succession over an extended period of time and my faith has remained at the same 'level' throughout everything, and, in my opinion, has always been at a pretty high level. I feel like it could be a punishment for some of the things I have done. I am a sinful person, I've looked at married women with lust, and I gamble on the stock market. Throughout the past few years I have repented of these things but I still seem to cycle through insane events that most people never seem to experience or only experience once in their lifetime despite being a relatively young man myself. I genuinely think I could get diagnosed with cancer or lose a limb in these next few months. I had a dream this morning where I was at my dad's funeral (he is still alive). I feel like if these things were to happen I would still believe in God, so I think there is also a possibility I am going through a trial, but I am not certain.

I wish there was a definitive way to know by reading scripture. Because terrible things happened to Job, and he was a righteous man, but terrible things have also happened to terrible people like Nebuchadnezzar.

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Thanks! <3

If you have repented for the sin you did, and are working on keeping from it, then it can't be punishment. God doesn't punish people after who ask for forgiveness and turn from sin. The point of pressure by instances (if punishment) is to get someone to turn from sin and back to God, but if you've already done that, then it wouldn't be punishment.

If your faith is the same, then maybe hes calling you closer to him in general. Trials aren't always for just faith, it could be the close/bond of the relationship where he could be calling you to seek him in prayer more, read into his word more, go to him more with your struggles so he can guide you better. For me personally, my own struggles led me to seek the Lord more often in general whether that's prayer, scripture or just asking for guidance. Our relationship with the Lord is a 2 way street and the bible says if you draw near to him, he will draw near to you (James 4:8). Also realize that the world is full of problems in general and just because something bad happens, doesn't mean, its necessarily a bad thing. For example: You could say, "my boyfriend left me!" And you could be upset, but who says that automatically is bad? That could be a blessing in disguise because they weren't right for you. So I think it depends and thats why I said only you can answer the question on if its a trial, punishment or not but I would advise you to seek the Lord and ask him. He 100% answers every prayer, so he would answer you.

skyoxshora said:

I feel like that kind of thing is only reserved for Christ because He is unblemished and I am blemished

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Jesus said to pick up your cross and to follow him...

Why do you think you are being punished? Don't answer here, ask yourself. Can you specify to yourself what you might have done? Are you still doing this thing?
Jesus has done everything to redeem you to God. You just have to work it.

God is for you, not against you. If i may suggest a few things just in case you have not thought of them. First, if the enemy is attacking you consistently, then you could be in a spiritual battle and have a need to fight the darkness back. Spiritual warfare is real, so delve into topics such as your authority in Christ, faith works for tough situations, and how you personally can fight back the darkenss. (Spiritual warfare).

Secondly, observe what you say. "death and life are in the power of the tongue." if your saying negative things about your circumstances or future, or someone else close to you, your speech is sowing bad seed that can bring a bad harvest. Find some good scritpures to confess about yourself and others. Uproot any of the negative things and bring your thoughts captive to what the word says, not what you necessarily feel or even believe.

have a look at the the verses in Romans below. Every person on earth has afflictions and suffering. One great scripture is"the afflictions of the righteous are many, but the Lord delivers us from them all."

But just because you get tribulations, it does not mean that you get to the end of having the love of god shed abroad in your heart. Just recently, in studying this I came to the conclusion that it can work in reverse for those who do not count it all joy, who can't go through the process. That instead, they blame God for the tribulations, have no patience, no hope and instead of love they find hate and bitterness. I have caught myself at times not giving glory to God. I still confess bad things sometimes and we all probably need to learn and do more spiritual warfare. So if I do not glory and work through it in the manner which God sets out for Christians, I likely am going to keep repeating some stuff I prefer to graduate from.

The caveat here though is that some tribulations do not come from God. he does not test with evil. Many believe too that he does not directly put sickness on someone. Is Sickness a Gift From God? — Bob Yandian Ministries

To have hope in scripture remember that God does not crush a bruised reed. In other words, though something may rock your world in a negative way, there is a way to handle it through God. I sometimes look at others and see their suffering and it makes me ralize just how good I have it.

So please be encouraged, not overwhelmed. My ideas are mere suggestions, but "draw nigh to God and he will draw night to you." God bless!

Romans 5:1-5 (KJV)
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

skyoxshora said:

I feel like that kind of thing is only reserved for Christ because He is unblemished and I am blemished

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We all find ourselves unworthy at times, but Jesus understands our frame. It pains Him, I think when we sometimes think Jesus' sacrifice is not enough. That somehow we have to do some work for our salvation. In Christ, you are white as snow. Your sins are removed from the east to the west. This is the breasplate of righteousness, that in Him you can be secure in righteousness. That does not make you perfect but it gives you confidence.
Heb 4:16 "Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need". Remember too His mercies are new every morning. I think a big part of your outlook is that you don't see the love of God, and simply do not expect God to do much for you. The reality though is that the opposite is true. There is peace through God. His load is light, that we can be anxious for nothing, all those things that are the promises of God are for you, just the way you are right now in Christ.