Week 4

Preparing for Discussion (Days 5 & 6)

Are you getting ready for our discussion tomorrow? We’ll be diving into the questions of “why” and “for what purpose” even more.

What is the purpose of suffering in our lives? Scripture names several, but they all seem to come down to what Jesus said in John 9:3. When asked, “Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (vs. 2), Jesus replied “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.”

That is the answer to the “why” of suffering in our lives, too – “so that the work of God might be displayed in [your] life.”

How do you and I display the work and glory of God? We reflect His character in our daily lives. Instead of demanding an answer, decide to trust Him, recognizing that your circumstances provide an unparalleled opportunity to glorify just by your trust in His unseen purpose. (taken from pgs. 53-54 of Holding On To Hope)
Are you tempted to give up? Remember the truth of 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, “That is why we NEVER GIVE UP. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.”