WHY GOD ALLOWS SUFFERING   
PART I

                  Rev. Jean Billy Beaufils Th.M, MA, (Doctorate Candidate)
                                                        July 20, 2006
           
When talking about suffering, the first passage that comes to mind is 2 Corinthians chapter 12 verses 9 and 10.  God said in His word: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness”.  Besides the good father that He is, God promised His children comfort when they are without strength and power through His grace in the mist of trials and tribulations.  The reason I would use this passage to encourage those of you who are suffering is simply because God reveals Himself and His love for us very clearly.  In the mist of our pain and suffering, we can still think positively knowing that God is with us and that His grace alone over shadow our painful circumstances. 
There is another passage that is powerful and I would like to encourage anyone who is suffering to read the book of Roman chapter 8 especially verses 18 and 28.  This chapter reminds us that what ever trials we may be going through, none of them can be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in Christ-Jesus.  The chapter also encourages us to be patient through it all because of our future expectation which is an eternal weight of glory.  I would like to reassure you that even though suffering is part of life, it is only temporary, it comes in our lives not to break us but to build us, not to destroy us but so that God’s power may be manifested through our trials, tribulations, and sufferings.  Most of the time when we suffer, we always want to escape from it but we always seem to forget that it may be in God’s perfect plan to use what happens to us and make it work for us.  I am recommending that you build your confidence in God’s power through prayer, studying, and meditating knowing that God is bigger than any of your problems. 
            I find these passages helpful in almost any difficult situations, problems, pain or sufferings.  I find lots of comfort going through these verses where God reassures me of eternal glory that is waiting for me.  I am also reminded that the road that leads to eternal glory requires suffering and to be a follower of Christ, hardships and tribulations will occur and they are part of the growing process.  Jesus-Christ has delivered me from the curse of the cross according to Psalm 119:71 and when I concentrate on God’s goodness and holiness, even in my deepest pain I found comfort in the book of James that taught me to drink all of it and to be thankful because I will find my blessings at the bottom of the cup to sweeten the sharpest afflictions.
            When I feel lonely, depressed, and rejected due to my pains,I always find strength in remembering Jesus’ saying: “I receive you not as servants, but as sons to abide in my house forever.  Whatever love or care children may look for from their father that you may expect from me and so much more since I am wiser, greater, and better than any earthly parents.  If earthly fathers will give good things to their children, much more will I give to you”?  Knowing that I am an ambassador here on earth, remembering that pain and suffering are part of the requirement for the Christian’s life, I memorized 2 Timothy 2 verses 12.  God told me that if I endure, I shall also reign with Him.  If I deny Him, He also will deny me.  If I am faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.  Basically the bible as been the primary source of help for me during my sufferings, but soft gospel music and meditation has also been a source of help.  Through it all, the Holy Spirit has been the primary comforter. 

                                                                   >>> PART II

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