Encouragement
Coping With Disease
Suffering, who can understand?
Why do we suffer? Is it permanently out of one’s hand?
When suffering is taking place, how do you handle it? Do you bury your head in the sand?
When you cry out to God, what will He do?
He will use your affliction in ways you will think He cannot use it.
Seek Him for consolation and His love during times of affliction.
Jesus understands what it means to endure this; remember His crucifixion.
The purpose of suffering may not always be clear.
Nonetheless, it will empower you to help comfort others, particularly when they face fear.
Do not deny your pain and suffering because it is real.
God sees it as a big deal.
He can use your pain and suffering to let others know He understands how they feel.
Never stop trusting in God during a troubled time of affliction.
Living for God, suffering has a purpose; it is the truth and not fiction.
“[God] comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2Corinthians 1:4
A THOUGHT TO REFLECT ON
Why suffering for Christ is a privilege; Philippians 1:29; 3:10
1. Not focus on earthly comfort;
2. It is not encouraging to superficial believers ;
3. Faith to endure is strengthening;
4. Encourages others to follow the example.
Experience what it meant for Jesus to suffer for sins: 1 Peter 4:12,13
Necessary pain that goes with spiritual growth; Romans 5:3-4; James 1:3,4; 2 Peter 1:6; Revelation 2:2, 19
