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PAIN & SUFFERING

Pain and suffering are part of the human experience, but the Bible offers guidance, comfort, and purpose through it. God's Word acknowledges suffering, provides encouragement, and reveals His plan to use suffering for good.

Suffering is a Part of a Fallen World

  • Genesis 3:16-19 (NLT) – After sin entered the world, suffering became a reality for all humanity.

  • John 16:33 (NLT) – "Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."

  • Romans 8:22-23 (NLT) – "For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time."

👉 Suffering exists because of sin’s effect on the world, but Jesus offers hope.

God Uses Suffering for Growth and Purpose

  • Romans 5:3-5 (NLT) – "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation."

  • James 1:2-4 (NLT) – "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow."

  • 2 Corinthians 4:17 (NLT) – "For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!"

👉 God doesn’t waste our pain—He uses it to refine, strengthen, and draw us closer to Him.

God is Present in Our Pain

  • Psalm 34:18 (NLT) – "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed."

  • Isaiah 41:10 (NLT) – "Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand."

  • 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NLT) – "He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others."

👉 We are never alone—God is near, offering comfort and strength.

Jesus Understands Our Suffering

  • Hebrews 4:15-16 (NLT) – "This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin."

  • Isaiah 53:3-5 (NLT) – "He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief... He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins."

  • Matthew 26:38 (NLT) – "He told them, 'My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.'”

👉 Jesus personally experienced deep suffering and understands our pain.

Hope and Eternal Perspective in Suffering

  • Revelation 21:4 (NLT) – "He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever."

  • Romans 8:18 (NLT) – "Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will reveal to us later."

  • 1 Peter 5:10 (NLT) – "In His kindness God called you to share in His eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you."

👉 Our suffering is temporary compared to the eternal joy that awaits us in Christ.

Pain and suffering are real, but they are not without purpose. God is present in our suffering, refines us through it, and gives us the hope of eternal restoration. Trusting in His promises and leaning on Him through difficulties allows us to find peace, strength, and even joy amid trials.

God’s Heart on Pain and Suffering

God is deeply compassionate and cares about our pain and suffering. While suffering is a reality in a fallen world, God does not abandon us in our trials. Instead, He uses suffering to shape us, draw us closer to Him, and ultimately bring about His greater purpose.

God Does Not Delight in Our Suffering

  • Lamentations 3:31-33 (NLT) – "For no one is abandoned by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion because of the greatness of his unfailing love. For he does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow."

  • Ezekiel 18:32 (NLT) – "I don’t want you to die, says the Sovereign Lord. Turn back and live!"

👉 God does not take pleasure in human suffering; His desire is for restoration, healing, and life.

God is Close to the Brokenhearted

  • Psalm 34:18 (NLT) – "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed."

  • Isaiah 41:10 (NLT) – "Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand."

  • 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NLT) – "All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others."

👉 God never leaves us alone in suffering—He is near, offering comfort and strength.

God Uses Suffering to Refine and Strengthen Us

  • Romans 5:3-5 (NLT) – "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation."

  • James 1:2-4 (NLT) – "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow."

  • 1 Peter 1:6-7 (NLT) – "So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine."

👉 God doesn’t waste our pain—He uses it to deepen our faith and shape our character.

Jesus Understands Our Suffering

  • Hebrews 4:15-16 (NLT) – "This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin."

  • Isaiah 53:3-5 (NLT) – "He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief... He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins."

  • Matthew 26:38 (NLT) – "He told them, 'My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.'”

👉 Jesus personally experienced pain and suffering, so He deeply understands our struggles.

God’s Ultimate Plan: Eternal Restoration

  • Revelation 21:4 (NLT) – "He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever."

  • Romans 8:18 (NLT) – "Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will reveal to us later."

  • 1 Peter 5:10 (NLT) – "In His kindness God called you to share in His eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you."

👉 Our suffering is temporary compared to the eternal joy and restoration God has prepared for us.

God’s heart is full of love and compassion, even in our suffering. He walks with us, strengthens us, and promises that one day all pain will be wiped away. Trusting in His goodness and purpose allows us to find peace and hope, even in the midst of trials.

Key Scriptures on Pain and Suffering

God is Close to the Brokenhearted

  • Psalm 34:18 – “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”

  • Isaiah 41:10 – “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

👉 God never leaves us in our pain—He is near and brings comfort.

Suffering Produces Endurance and Growth

  • Romans 5:3-5 – “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.”

  • James 1:2-4 – “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.”

  • 1 Peter 1:6-7 – “So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine.”

👉 God uses suffering to strengthen our faith and develop endurance.

Jesus Understands Our Suffering

  • Hebrews 4:15-16 – “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.”

  • Isaiah 53:3-5 – “He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief… He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins.”

  • Matthew 26:38 – “He told them, ‘My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.’”

👉 Jesus personally experienced suffering and understands our struggles.

God’s Promises for Restoration

  • Revelation 21:4 – “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

  • Romans 8:18 – “Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will reveal to us later.”

  • 1 Peter 5:10 – “In His kindness God called you to share in His eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you.”

👉 Suffering is temporary, but God’s restoration is eternal.

Encouragement

Pain and suffering are part of life, but God is always with us, working through our trials to build endurance, shape our faith, and bring ultimate healing and restoration.

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