Suffering

[lettheredeemedsayso]

What is God' purpose for suffering in the life of the believer?

So many believe that suffering in the life of a Christian is Christ punishing the believer. What do you think?

[John81]

Suffering can be a form of chastisement but it can also be a means to help a Christian learn to rely upon the Lord, grow in certain areas, serve as an example/witness to others in how to be content and Christlike no matter the circumstances, as a means of bringing glory to God in some manner, a means of drawing one into deeper prayer, etc.

[JerryNumbers]

What is God' purpose for suffering in the life of the believer?

So many believe that suffering in the life of a Christian is Christ punishing the believer. What do you think?

Do you think the believer will suffer if he takes a strong stand for Jesus?

Sad to say, most professing Christians will not take a stand if it causes them to suffer, they feel the Christina life ought to be a walk in the park with them getting everything that's good.

An elderly woman church member that has since died stated, "If the world loves a Christian they're not taking a true stand with Christ.

[HappyChristian]

What is God' purpose for suffering in the life of the believer?

So many believe that suffering in the life of a Christian is Christ punishing the believer. What do you think?

The old english meaning of the word suffer is two-fold: to allow, and to patiently wait.

When suffering comes to the Christian, most of the time it is to work a work in one's life. James 1:2,3 says: "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience."

Temptations here isn't talking about temptation to sin, but rather trials and testing (which include suffering)

Paul had a prOBlem for which he besought God 3 times - and God told him that His strength is made perfect (mature) in Paul's (and ours) weakness. The suffering in Paul's case was to perfect God's strength in Paul's life.

JOB suffered, but it wasn't for sin's sake. It was to prove (test) him and make him stronger...and that is exactly what it did.

1 Peter 3:14-17 tells us: "But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing."

As Jerry8 said, there will be suffering for Christians who follow Christ. And when that kind of thing happens, we aren't to be troubled. But Peter also tells us that it's better to suffer for doing right than for doing wrong. If a Christian goes out and rOBs a bank, and then goes to jail, his suffering is his own fault, and it is for evil doing...that's not what God wants (OBviously).

We can bring suffering upon ourselves, because we reap what we sow. But not all cancer is because that person sinned. Not all toothaches are a result of personal sin.

Christians suffering, in most cases, is to conform us to the image of His Son.