Though suffering is not good, God can
and does use it to accomplish good. The meaning and purpose of suffering
in history is that it leads to repentance. Only after suffering, only after
disaster does Israel, do nations, do individuals turn back to God. Suffering
brings repentance. We humans tend to learn the hard way.
A. God can use pain to draw
people to Himself. God
whispers to us in our pleasures, He speaks to us in our conscience, but He
shouts to us in our pain. It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world. - CS
Lewis
B. God can use trials to sharpen
the character of His children.
Romans
5:3-5, 3 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.
Jesus knows of our sufferings in
this life.
Hebrews 5:7-9, 7 During
the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with
fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was
heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Son though he was, he
learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and,
once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey
him
C. God sometimes disciplines
His children to teach us the right path to take.
Hebrews 12:10-11, 10 They
disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us
for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No
discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it
produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained
by it. God has the big picture of life -
we don’t! We must trust and have faith.
Romans 8:28 28 And
we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who
have been called according to his purpose.
D. God uses bad circumstances
to bring about good ends.
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to
accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.“ Genesis 50:20
Be wise today and always - learn from your mistakes.
