Why Can We Hope In The Midst Of Suffering
Based on the following verses, we discover the Bible instructs to have hope in suffering because:
Our sufferings are light and momentary and are achieving for us an eternal glory . Paul reassures that when viewed from eternity, our pain will appear short-lived.
God is with us through every trial. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles .
Suffering produces a mature faith. Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything .
Christ gives us His peace. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world .
To read other encouraging Bible verses about suffering, click this link.
While suffering is something we must all endure, those of us who know Christ as Savior can hold to the promises of scripture. Because He has already won the victory over death, we can trust our Lord is with us through every struggle.
Comforting Bible Verses About Suffering
The world is full of people suffering from chronic illness, disease, and stressful situations. In order to combat these struggles, we need to look into Gods word to find the perfect Bible Verses about Suffering . Gods Word will restore, refresh and rejuvenate our body, soul, and spirit. In this article, we are going to look at some great passages from the Bible for encouragement when you feel like giving up or your strength is gone.
Gods Purpose In Suffering And Comfort
We are fellow-heirs with Jesus Christ, sons and daughters of the living God through the gospel . And because of this relationship, the all-powerful Ruler of the universe is also a Father of mercies and a God of all comfort. Here Paul says that God comforts them in all their afflictions. Theres no affliction that God is unaware of or distant from. God is infinitely interested in the care and comfort of his sons and daughters in all their afflictions. So you are never alone in your suffering, whatever the pain or loss might be.
But notice Gods purpose for his comfort. As we look to God for comfort and hope in suffering, he means to spur us on to comfort others who are being afflicted with the same comfort weve received from God.
God comforts us so that we can comfort others.God grants us mercy so that we can be merciful to others.God stands whole-heartedly with us in our suffering so that we will stand whole-heartedly with others who are suffering.God never leaves us alone in our suffering so that we wont leave others alone in theirs.
Its beautiful when comfort spreads in this way, and it should happen often in the body of Christ. It is sweet to see people redeem their suffering by taking their eyes off of themselves and turning them toward God to find strength, and then toward others to offer the comfort that God provided them.
Recommended Reading: Pray Without Ceasing Means
What Did Paul Say About Suffering
Paul knows a thing or two about suffering. Paul, the Christian persecutor, was converted into a gospel preacher, thanks to Jesus appearance. Pauls latter part of life has many sufferings. He was shipwrecked from a storm, a prisoner in jail for many years, bitten by a snake, and carried a thorn in his side until his martyred death. We could learn a thing or two by looking at him as an example and reading his God-ordained words in the New Testament.
He learned that suffering for Jesus sake produced key godly characteristics such as patience, endurance, contentment, and hope. Here are some Bible Verses on Suffering that reveal what Paul learned during his trials and tribulations.
Romans 5:3-5 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience And patience, experience and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Romans 8:28 -And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Philippians 4:11 -Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
What Does The Bible Say About Grief
Few things can dry up ones happiness and health more than experiencing loss. Whether its the death of a loved one, an unexpected illness, or losing a job, grief can bring another level of sorrow to our minds.
Questions often arise in these situations. Why did this have to happen? Is there any hope for me now? Is there anything to hold on to when it seems like everyone has left me? Where was God when I was hurting?
Grief is a lonely feeling, and it can sometimes make us feel like our own reasons for living fall flat.
Yet we find in Scripture that there is light in the darkness. Although this ordeal can be crippling at times, the Bible sheds light on the hope offered for those struggling with a heavy heart.
Using the Bible as our guide, well look more closely at:
What the Bible says about grief can give us a calm assurance and peace in the power of the Almighty God. It reveals a knowledge of the tender love and compassion that Christ has for each of His hurting children. So lets see what we find.
You May Like: Rhema Bible Correspondence School
Free Printable Hope During Pain Printable Pdf
Get more insights into these verses by clicking here for the Hope During Pain 31 Day Bible Reading Plan.
$2.99
$0.00
Join The Holy Mess Christian Bible Study Group for free online Bible study of this daily Bible reading plan.
Our group meets together online at
In the group youll have the opportunity share about what you are learning and how God is growing your faith.
May these bible verses about pain and suffering strength you as you walk through a difficult life situation. Know that God is available to provide healing, comfort, and strength.
Do you deal with ongoing pain? What verses about pain bring you comfort?
Seeing God Through Your Pain And Suffering
Pain is an opportunity to share in the suffering of Christ.
3. Romans 8:17-18 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of Gods glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.
4. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christs sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
5. 2 Corinthians 1:5-6 For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.
6. 1 Peter 4:13 Instead, be very gladfor these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.
Recommended Reading: Does The Bible Say Fear Not 365 Times
The Spiritual Battle For Your Marriage
God designed marriage to reflect His love to the world and because of this, the enemy wants to destroy Gods beautiful design. Based on his book, Defending Your Marriage, Dr. Tim and Noreen Muehlhoff share about the reality of spiritual warfare against marriages, and how to combat the enemys lies with the truth of God. Couples will be encouraged that theyre not alone in the fight for a godly marriage and better equipped to be a shining example for the world around them.
How Do You Send A Grieving Message
Condolences
Also Check: What The Bible Says About Isolation
Jesus Told Us Pain And Suffering Would Be A Part Of Our Lives
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. John 16:33
Jesus doesnt simply say well have trials and sorrow and then leaves it to us to figure out. Instead, he promises peace and reminds us that he has overcome the world
I love that Jesus doesnt simply say well have trials and sorrow and then leaves it to us to figure out. Instead, he promises peace and reminds us that he has overcome the world, meaning our hardships arent without purpose.
This is why the Apostle Paul who experienced much pain and difficulty can boldly declare these words in Romans 8:28,
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
What To Say To A Grieving Family
The Best Things to Say to Someone in Grief
- I am so sorry for your loss.
- I wish I had the right words, just know I care.
- I don’t know how you feel, but I am here to help in any way I can.
- You and your loved one will be in my thoughts and prayers.
- My favorite memory of your loved one is
- I am always just a phone call away.
Read Also: Is The Bible Chronological
Suffering Displays God’s Strength Through Our Weakness
God never wastes suffering, not a scrap of it. He redeems all of it for His glory and our blessing. The classic Scripture for the concept that suffering displays God’s strength through our weakness is found in 2 Corinthians 12:8-10, where we learn that God’s grace is sufficient for us, for His power is perfected in weakness. Paul said he delighted in weaknesses, hardships, and difficulties “for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Our culture disdains weakness, but our frailty is a sign of God’s workmanship in us. It gets us closer to what we were created to becompletely dependent on God. Several years ago I realized that instead of despising the fact that polio had left me with a body that was weakened and compromised, susceptible to pain and fatigue, I could choose to rejoice in it. My weakness made me more like a fragile, easily broken window than a solid brick wall. But just as sunlight pours through a window but is blocked by a wall, I discovered that other people could see God’s strength and beauty in me because of the window-like nature of my weakness! Consider how the Lord Jesus was the exact representation of the glory of the FatherI mean, He was all window and no walls! He was completely dependent on the Father, choosing to become weak so that God’s strength could shine through Him. And He was the strongest person the world has ever seen. Not His own strength He displayed the Father’s strength because of that very weakness.
What Is The Biblical View Of Suffering
Suffering entered the world when Adam and Eve sinned against God. Genesis 3, for instance, clearly illustrates both an increase of pain in childbirth and labor. Not only that, but people began to ageor suffer the consequences of mortality. Paradise was lost to pain through the sinful actions of our first parents.
Since then, people have known suffering in all its forms. While suffering can result from our own poor decisions, through evil done against us, or as a result of natural processes gone wrong, God sometimes uses our suffering for heavenly purposes.
Consider Job. A wealthy man who adored his children, Job attracted Satans attention and in a cosmic dare, Satan challenged God to allow him access to Jobs lifecertain the man would curse God once his beloved children, health, and riches were torn from his grasp. Job, though, clung to God despite horrific suffering and served as a testimony of faithfulness to Satan and the heavenly armies as well as to those who have read the words of Scripture since.
At other times, individual suffering is used in our lives to influence others. Young Joseph , for instance, could not have known that when he was thrown in the pit, sold into slavery, or accused of rape that God would use him to save his family from starvation and ensure the survival of Israel.
Don’t Miss: 365 Do Not Be Afraid Bible Verses
What Does God Say About Pain
1. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Thats why we are not discouraged. No, even if outwardly we are wearing out, inwardly we are being renewed each and every day. This light, temporary nature of our suffering is producing for us an everlasting weight of glory, far beyond any comparison, because we do not look for things that can be seen but for things that cannot be seen. For things that can be seen are temporary, but things that cannot be seen are eternal.
2. 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.
Moms Raising Sons To Be Men
Mothers of boys have the special calling to shape future men of God. Popular speaker Rhonda Stoppe, mom to two sons, knows this opportunity is a challenge, a joy, and probably the most important work of a womans life. Drawing from years of experience, this inspirational resource will revive the faithfulness and fortitude a woman needs to partner with God as they shape the character and heart of a future godly man.
Don’t Miss: Inerrant And Infallible
Who Is To Blame
Why, then, does mankind experience so much pain and suffering? Mankind has been pondering that question for centuries. If God is not to blame, who is responsible? The answers to those questions will be discussed in the next article.
^ par. 4 Although there have been times in the past when God has punished people for specific sins, the Bible does not indicate that Jehovah is now using such things as sickness or tragedies to punish people for their sins.
Praying The Scriptures Over Your Children
You will discover how using the Bible to shape your desires and requests opens the door to Gods provisionand frees us from things like worry and fear in our parenting! This expanded edition of the bestseller features updated content on issues like technology and identity, and comes with new material designed to invite children into the family prayer circle. Purchase now and receive 10% off your product.
Also Check: Pray Unceasingly Verse
Prayer For Pain And Suffering:
Dear Lord,
Thank you for your joy amid suffering. Thank you for your forgiveness. Thank you for your presence in my life. Thank you for your grace in my misery. Please help me to follow in your footsteps. Please help me to remember your loving presence in my life. Amen.
In today’s Bible study, we will dive into the word of God. Pray for the Holy Spirit to be with you in your reading plan. Start trusting God. You have eternal life through Jesus Christ. Let these encouraging Bible verses be the word of encouragement you need today:
Here Are Some Bible Verses I Use To Deal With Pain
Job 6:10 This would be my comfort I would even exult in pain unsparing, for I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
Psalm 18:2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalm 34:18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
Jeremiah 17:14 Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.
Matthew 7:7-8 Ask and it will be given to you seek and you will find knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives the one who seeks finds and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Acts 5:16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.
Romans 8:18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Hebrews 7:25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
Don’t Miss: Historical Order Of The Bible