Stolen Blog...

This is stolen from another website but I thought it was really cool...


I am going to write some things on suffering that I’ve learned of late. The first writing will just be based on scripture. I thought a good place to start is to look at what God has to say on the subject. The next writing will focus more on personal stories of suffering.
Scripture on God’s purpose in our sufferings (Adapted from When God Weeps by Joni Eareakson Tada and Steve Estes)
Suffering is used to increase our awareness of the sustaining power of God to whom we owe everything (Psalm 68:19).
Suffering is used by God to refine, perfect, strengthen, and keep us from falling (Hebrews 2:10).
Suffering allows the life of Christ to be manifested in our mortal flesh
(2 Corinthians 4:7-11).
Suffering bankrupts us, making us dependent on God (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Suffering teaches us humility (2 Corinthians 12:7).
Suffering teaches us that God is more concerned with character than comfort (Romans 5:3-5).
Suffering imparts the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:1-11).
Suffering teaches us that the greatest good of the Christian life is not absence of pain but Christ-likeness (2 Corinthians 4:8-10, Romans 8:28-29).
Suffering can be a punishment from God for sin and rebellion (Psalm 107:17).
Obedience and self-control are learned from suffering (Hebrews 5:8, Psalm 119:67, James 1:2-8, Philippians 3:10).
Voluntary suffering is one way to show the love of God (2 Corinthians 8:1-2, 9).
Suffering is part of the struggle against sin (Hebrews 12:4-13).
Suffering is part of the struggle against evil men (Psalm 27:12).
Suffering is part of the struggle for the kingdom of God (2 Thessalonians 1:5).
Suffering is part of the struggle for the gospel (2 Timothy 2:8-9).
Suffering is part of the struggle against injustice (1 Peter 2:19).
Suffering is part of the struggle for the name of Christ (Acts 5:41).
Suffering indicates how we can share in Christ’s suffering (2 Corinthians 1:5).
Endurance of suffering is a cause for reward (2 Timothy 2:12).
Suffering binds Christians together (Revelation 1:9).
Suffering teaches us God’s statues (Psalm 119:66-67, 71).
Suffering causes us to discipline our minds by making us focus on our hope on the grace to be revealed at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:6, 13).
God uses suffering to humble us at the right time (I Peter 5:6-7).
Suffering is sometimes necessary to win the lost (2 Timothy 2:8-10, 4:5-6).
Suffering strengthens us and allows us to comfort others who are weak.
(2 Corinthians 1:3-11).
Suffering is small in comparison to the value of knowing Christ (Philippians 3:8).
Suffering teaches us to give thanks in times of sorrow (1 Thessalonians 5:18, 2 Corinthians 1:11)
Suffering increases faith (Jeremiah 29:11).
Suffering stretches our hope (Job 13:14-15).