Does God work through suffering?

Maybe when we suffer, it’s because God has lost control. Do you think that’s the case?

I don’t. The Bible says that when we suffer, God is still very much in control. In fact He’s doing something through suffering.

Read Romans 5:3-5.

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

1.) What can suffering produce?

2.) Does this apply only to Christians? If so, in what way? (Consider v5).

3.) How do you think God might be working to grow or mature someone who’s facing:

  • Depression? (e.g. What might he want to teach them about life? About himself? About what’s really true?)

  • Anxiety?

  • Illness? (Who might they learn to trust? How might it help them know God better?)

  • Death of a friend or family member?

  • Failure at school?

  • Bullying?

Now read this great encouragement in 2 Corinthians 1:3-5.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.

1.) What can we learn about God when we suffer?

2.) What does this enable us to do? (v4).

Dan Kenny