What have you learned through suffering?

[jeolmstead]

The New Testament has a lot to say about suffering.

It seems (to me at least) that the Apostles and early believers looked upon it much differently then the church does today.

Has God taught you anything through suffering?


John O.

 

[cyberlizard]

yeah - to those who have seen my page, they will know I have a busted neck and others on the forum know this sometimes make me cranky due to the pain.

someone on a thread not so long ago said, if you are dealt a lemon, learn to make lemonade.

This sure is true. Today my arm kills and shoulder aches (like it always does) and the muscles in my neck keep twitching.

I found that having time off work due to this affliction has led me to spend more time reading the scriptures, and it has also given me plenty of time to know that I am a sinner through and through, both in theory and practice.

Steve

 

[Zacharias]

The New Testament has a lot to say about suffering.

It seems (to me at least) that the Apostles and early believers looked upon it much differently then the church does today.

Has God taught you anything through suffering?


John O.

I've learned lots of things. A few:

1. As a Christian I will suffer (2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.)

2. God's in control (Isaiah 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.)

3. No fear, in love (1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.)


And I'm still learning and learning these things.

 

[talitha]

I really can't say that I've suffered much, other than from depression. Ironic, huh? I do have a ridiculously hard time getting a job for a smart, talented person in good health, with a college education. I've pretty much settled on substitute teaching as a career after butting my head against many walls for many years..... and this whole really emotionally painful experience has taught me how faithful my Jehovah Jireh really is, and that I'm a much, much stronger person than I thought I could be - it's also given me something very valuable - time.

blessings
tal

 

[he4rty]

The one thing I learnt through suffering was to rely on God and to trust he knows what is right.

It was during a study of David that this became clear, David was promised he would be King then spent 10years with his life in danger before he became king. So When God told me not to worry all would be alright and yet at the time it didn't feel like it would be I was able to rely on him and his word, It was hard at times, But just had to keep reminding myself that David's promise was fulfilled and he remained faithful throughout and he was going through much worse than me.

 

[JoyToTheWhirled]

I've learned that God really does use everything for good for those that love Him. My mum dying was really, really hard, but the Lord used it to reconcile me and my father again after many years.

My own severe illness over the past two years has taught me to draw close to God and not to find solace in the things of this world - only He satisfies when you're in the depths

It's taught me to pray earnestly and it's taught me to learn to accept help from others instead of being independent.

 

[geetrue]

Suffering? What we think is suffering is really learning.

I was a street person when I came to know the Lord, but after several months of being a Christian I still didn't have a job. I was still living at the San Diego airport by day and living where ever I could find a place to sleep by night.

I had read St James chapter one where he said, "If anyone lacks wisdom let him ask of God" ... who would then give it us if we didn't wavier in our asking or believing.

I sat down at the foot of the runway in the parking area right next to where the planes would come in for a landing and I cried out to the Lord, "Lord why don't I have wisdom I've been asking for it"?

God answered back, "This is wisdom"

That was over twenty years ago. How can I ever forget it? I am no longer a street person, but the struggles I have gone through would fill a book.

Yet, through it all I have been strenghtened by the Holy Spirit. I have been able to put Jesus first in everything I do from tithing to reading my bible, to giving to every man that ask, to forgiving my children for laughing at my faith in Jesus.

I have learned how not to judge or I would be judged. I have learned how not to envy people with nice motorhomes or nice cars. I have learned that a little love goes a long way, I have learned that love does cover the blemishes, I have learned that sitting next to the wrong person can cause spiritual problems later so I am very careful who I sit next to.

I think it is this gift of discernment that causes me to be careful. I thought an older women in my fellowship was a witch one time till her grand daughter told me that her grandmother had cancer. Then I realized that sin is sin with this gift and I can feel it all, but that doesn't mean I can understand what I feel.

I have learned that fellowship is important to our walk with Jesus, I have learned that the Holy Spirit is always there for us. I've been attacked spiritually in the middle of the night and cried out to the Lord and his angels came a running and ministered to me.

I've learned not to listen to the voice of a stranger, but only to the voice of the Lord my God.

I am still learning that the Word of God works, ask and you shall recieve, seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be opened to you ... even when I don't feel like using that scripture to push my prayer across the scripture is still in the bible ... it didn't go anywhere.

The most important leason I have learned is that at the moment of death that is who you are forever, but not to worry ... because forever started when I first believed.

Even as an old man of 63 I still see myself growing ... going all the way with our faith is what I think God wants us to do with it.

Let us continue in brotherly love ... thanks for asking John O

 

[jeolmstead]

I agree with all posted here. I can relate to all of it.

I like what geetrue shared about God’s answer to his question:

“This is wisdom”

That really struck home with me.

Through suffering God has built character and inner strength in my life. I’m eternally grateful He cares enough about me to mold me the way he has.

In my trails, He has never left my side and I trust Him more today then ever before.

Through suffering I have also learned empathy for those in pain and how hollow some of my former religious attitudes were.

I don’t like to suffer, but I do very much enjoy the fruit of it.

John O.

 

[Simon Peter]

Suffering purifies my faith. It removes the religious baggage.

It drives me into His presence.

It causes me to be dependant on Him.

It humbles me.

I'm sure there's more that I'm not thinking of right now.

 

[hopeinGod]

I agree with much that has been posted.

Regarding suffering, I believe it is possible to mistake some events that God uses in our lives, the visible things, intended to nudge us toward Him, for being the work of the devil. So, rather than acknowledge the Lord in such situations, we will misjudge the sender, rebuke the devil, and command him to flee.

I do not, however, believe the Lord sends sickness to us. That is not in His plan. In those cases, rebuke on.

Dave

 

[zaksmummy]

To me it seems irrelevant who caused the suffering,
ie "the sun sets on the righteous and the unrighteous"
its is enough that God is with us during it.

Catrin xx

 

[Tamara224]

I've learned to trust in God for daily provision. I've had several times in my life where I suffered through relative poverty. I questioned why God couldn't just make me rich so I wouldn't have deal with it. But I literally had to trust God each day for that day's provisions. He always came through for me and it taught me to rely on Him and not on myself.

I've also learned some patience - I still need more of that.

I learned humility when I suffered from debilitating migraines. At first I prayed for God to heal me, expecting and, honestly, demanding it. When He didn't grant healing right away I got very angry with Him and yelled at Him that He had promised to heal me when I asked. His answer to me was "Who are you to demand of me?" That pretty much stopped me in my tracks. I was humbled and it brought me closer to God. Unfortunately, I seem to need reminders about humility all the time. But I haven't had a migraine in 4 years.

 

[MoNiCa4316]

I've learned that suffering is not a punishment. It has taught me to see that God can help us with absolutely anything, and that all things are possible with Him....it has given me stronger faith and humility.
and it has helped me appreciate God more, and see how wonderful His love is. Nichole Nordeman has this song called 'Sunrise', which goes:

You are sunrise
You are blue skies
How would I know the morning
If I knew not midnight?

Because of suffering, I now feel more empathetic for people who are going through difficult times...God teaches us how it is, so that we can help others.

Someone once said that Jesus didn't die so that we wouldn't suffer, but so that our suffering would be like His...that's so true. Of course, one day, we would not suffer any more and He would heal us and renew us that's an encouraging, hopeful thought.

I'm also slowly learning patience, which I really need, haha....

God bless!


monica

 

[geetrue]

I couldn't find the scripture I was looking for, St Paul said that he was the pattern for suffering for all of those on the way to heaven, but I did find these scriptures.


Romans 8:17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
1 Corinthians 3:15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
1 Corinthians 12:26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
1 Corinthians 13:4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
2 Corinthians 1:5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.
2 Corinthians 1:6 Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
2 Corinthians 1:7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.
2 Corinthians 7:9 Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing.
2 Corinthians 7:12 Therefore, although I wrote to you, I did not do it for the sake of him who had done the wrong, nor for the sake of him who suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear to you.
Galatians 3:4 Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? Galatians 5:11 And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased.
Galatians 6:12 As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
Philippians 1:29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,
Philippians 3:8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ Philippians 3:10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,
Philippians 4:12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
Colossians 1:24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,
1 Thessalonians 2:2 But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict.
1 Thessalonians 2:14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans,
1 Thessalonians 3:4 For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know.
2 Thessalonians 1:5 which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer;
1 Timothy 1:19 having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck,
1 Timothy 4:10 For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.
2 Timothy 1:8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 2 Timothy 1:12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. 2 Timothy 2:9 for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained.
2 Timothy 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

 

[TemperedSteel]

Suffering... thats a topic very few are willing to discuss....

i would say the most important lesson i've personally learned is that not all suffering I endure is meant for me, but rather for others.... let me explain....

some things the Lord allows me to experience well knowing I can handle it so that at a later time i can consult/encourage someone with a similiar suffering that may not be able to handle it.... the suffering i may have experienced allows me to have common ground with that person and effectively minister to them at their point of need....

so in a sense, my suffering is one the avenues by which I can be the hands of Christ for my world....

just food for thought....

 

[TemperedSteel]

I couldn't find the scripture I was looking for, St Paul said that he was the pattern for suffering for all of those on the way to heaven, but I did find these scriptures.

That passage doesn't come to mind....

I do recall this passage though:
2 Corinthians 12:9-11

9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

In another passage Paul describes the sufferings he had to endure (2 Cor 11)

 

[bithiah2]

i have learned that God is God in the hills and in the valley, that He will never leave me, and that He never allows us to have more on us than He will not take us through.
and i have learned that some of the things in this life that we think are important, those things that we are conditioned to chase after...Life, Liberty and the Persuit as the car ad says, really don't matter. what matters is that we have peace within ourselves and strive to keep peace with God, and with others.
blessings
bithiah2

 

[zaksmummy]

The thing I'm learning at the moment is how to let go of the pain and be free of it, easier said than done

 

[Redheadedstepchild]

I'm learning that God is with me, no matter what I am going through. He is always there getting me through it.

 

[ElderChris]

Thank you all for your posts! You have all ministered to me greatly. What I have learned in suffering....

God has humbled me and shown me my prideful heart because I would not humble myself. He continues to do this...but hopefully I am now willing and don't need too much more suffering in this area.

The value of relationships and the power of love.

That submission and surrender to the Holy Spirit is where true joy and freedom occur.

That I am a warrior and that I can stand against the enemy.

That He is an awesome God.

That He answers prayer.

That He wants a day to day...hour by hour....minute by minute personal, real relationship with me and that He wants to manifest His presence to me.

Some of these things probably seem obvious to you guys buy they weren't to me.