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Suffering is something we all experience at some point in our lives. We can suffer in many different ways. Our pain can be primarily physical, or we can suffer in mental and emotional ways. Suffering can be temporary but may still be very painful. We always feel very relieved when it comes to an end. Then, there’s the severe, constant, unending suffering that goes on day after day, year after year. There may not be any hope that our circumstances will improve while on this earth.

At times like this we might ask, “Does God care that I’m suffering? Are all His decisions loving and fair? Is God in control? Can I trust Him?” If we believe the Bible which says that God is in control of all things, He is loving and wise, perfect and just, then the answer to these questions is a definite “Yes!” We may not understand why we’re suffering, but we can trust God, confident in knowing He will work all things out for our good.

We may wonder, “Is anything being accomplished by this suffering? Why is God allowing it to happen?” There is a purpose in suffering! Circumstances in our lives can be consequences of our sin and the poor choices we make. But, sometimes we suffer when we haven’t done anything wrong. God wants to use these adversities to refine, mature, complete and perfect us. If we’re wise, we won’t waste this opportunity. The Bible says when suffering comes, “count it all joy.” A lot can be accomplished if we choose to surrender to God’s will for our lives.

We read in 2 Corinthians 12:9 that, God’s “...grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” We may be physically or emotionally weak, but God says we’re strong because of His great power working in us.

In Hebrews 4:16, it says, “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.” God knows how much we suffer and cares deeply for us. He’ll give us all we need to come through our trials victoriously. Revelation 21:4 says, God “... will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.” It’s exciting to know there will be no more pain or sadness in heaven. We will be free from all our suffering.

We read in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

I know that in my suffering, it gives me great joy and hope to know that because my sins are forgiven not only will I see Jesus in heaven someday, but I have Him with me now to comfort, encourage and guide me.

We’ll never know how much Jesus suffered for us when He died on the cross to take the punishment for our sins. His sacrifice provided the way for us to have eternal life if we believe He died and rose and trust Him to save us from our sins. It says in Romans 10:9-10 “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” Would you like to know your sins are forgiven and you’re going to heaven? If so, you can convey that desire to God in a prayer similar to this one:

Dear Jesus, I know I have sinned. I believe you died on the cross to pay for my sin and rose again. I turn away from my sin and trust you as my Savior. I am now a child of God and I will see you in heaven someday. Amen.

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