Comments on: Is Suffering Essential to Faith?

By: John Lee Davis

John Lee Davis — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:13:23 +0000

There is an old work adage, “If you hire yourself; you have to pay yourself.” meaning – if you are suffering for something you did or did not do, then that’s on you. but if you are working for Jesus and something happens to you as a consequence, then Jesus will take care of you, that suffering is all good.

By: Lassie

Lassie — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:57:50 +0000

Often when (and not IF!) I am suffering (emotionally, financially, physically, etc) I stop to consider if there is anything I have done to cause that suffering…kinda try to take responsibility for it and not just revert to the “poor me’s”.
Time and time again I come back to…..poor choices I have made, and ones in which I can’t really say I consulted God over or waited for Him to show me how to go forward.
One example…..marrying the “wrong man”. After 7 awful years together, we divorce….what follows is years of suffering – for the children, for one’s economy, one’s helath, you name it.
So—maybe I am too hard on myself ?—-but I think we bring alot of our suffering upon ourselves.
I am not saying God turns his back on me because I went my own way and thought I knew better…I trust in His grace and His love, the promises He has made and I am eternally thankful…and I have seen how He helps me try to get out of the mess I got myself in to!

Another angle to suffering?

By: John MacArthur Explains True Gospel | Prayer Music to my Ears

John MacArthur Explains True Gospel | Prayer Music to my Ears — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 03:09:47 +0000

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By: Humphrey Wanyama

Humphrey Wanyama — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:56:50 +0000

For me I prefer to undergo suffering because at the end I become mature and more hardened. Also it gives me ground for counselling those undergoing pain.

Be blessed

By: Humphrey Wanyama

Humphrey Wanyama — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:52:08 +0000

It is in order to suffer and undergo pain. Though Jesus bore all our pain on the cross, it is befitting for Christians to undergo trials because at the end of it , ones faith in Christ is elevated as well as one’s dependence on God. It is through suffering that we learn how to cast our burdens to the Lord.

Be blessed.

Evangelist Humphrey Wanyama

By: Sheunesu Taona

Sheunesu Taona — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:37:06 +0000

I THINK SUFFERING IS NOT AN ESSENTIAL FOR EVERY ONE;S FAITH BUT FOR SOME IT IS DEPENTING ON WHAT GOD WANTS TO DO WITH YOU.

By: Dale Fincher

Dale Fincher — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:08:32 +0000

Since everyone suffers, sometimes it leads some to faith and sometimes it doesn’t. Plenty of people suffer in this world and are not drawn to Jesus. But since all suffer in some ways, it makes the point less interesting to say it’s a requirement to have faith, on my view.

As for material of suffering (glad you like the phrase :)), all our suffering provides us material for reflection, identity, to consider if our suffering is a result of our foolishness or another’s, material to forgive, or to absorb evil (as Christ did) like blood in a sponge so that it goes no further–an idea borrowed from Scott Peck.

By: shelly gallardo

shelly gallardo — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:16:10 +0000

The word suffering in the greek means “to have undergone something, that is hardship or pain subjectively an emotion or influence, affection, affliction, motion
Hebrews 2:10 says (broken down into the greek) it suited God(for whom all things and by whom all things) in leading much children into glory,to make the cheif leader of their rescue,deliverance,safety and protection (salvation) complete through something undergone(sufferings). Christ the cheif leader of our salvation underwent many sufferings which was essential in making Him complete as the chief leader of our salvation.
Mathew 5:48 say Be thou perfect(complete) as I am perfect. Sufferings help us to go on to completion (perfectness) in Christ. I do think that sufferings are an essential part of our faith(persuasion.

By: Rev Dr Roy Catchpole

Rev Dr Roy Catchpole — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:35:01 +0000

Have a look at my thesis online. Rev.Dr.Roy Catchpole ‘Christian Coping in Correctional Institutions’. Godbless.

By: Sharlene

Sharlene — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:21:06 +0000

sure it draws us closer 2 God.