Why does God allow suffering?
Yesterday we looked at the old and important question of the existence of God. But there's one...
Is Suffering Essential to Faith?
Often in times of trouble we run to God for answers and comfort, and we often emerge from the...
Today's devotional: never alone
In today's Slice of Infinity devotional, Rachel Tulloch writes about the crushing power of...
Today's devotional: what Jesus' suffering means for us today
As Easter approaches, many churches and individuals are revisiting the Gospel accounts of the...
Today's devotional: finding beauty amidst brokenness
Can beauty come out of brokenness? When you or a loved one is reeling from an illness, injury, or...
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Believed - a Christian perspective
The apostle Paul suffered greatly during his wide-ranging missionary journeys. But he always stood firm in the faith, making the conscious choice to believe in God's promises even when life was extremely difficult.
http://biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Timothy%201:12&version=NIV
Trials and tribulations - a Christian perspective
Christians shouldn't be surprised when they're persecuted for their faith, nor should they lose heart when they suffer. Jesus himself suffered--and predicted future suffering--for the sake of the Gospel. We know that God is in control.
http://biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%202:10&version=NIV
"Prosper" in the Bible: Jeremiah 29:11
These words of comfort were originally spoken to the Israelites living in exile in Babylon. God assured them that despite their present difficulties, He had plans for them--plans for them to prosper and be restored. We don't share that historical context, but God's promise remains: He knows of our struggles and is working to help us prosper, even when we can't see it.
http://biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah%2029:11&version=NIV
Count it all joy - a Christian perspective
Christians are not just to tolerate misfortune and trials--they're to learn to actually rejoice and give thanks for them, knowing that God uses suffering to produce patience in us.
http://biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%201:2-3&version=KJV
Persecuted - a Christian perspective
There's no question that Christians will face resistance for their faith; this passage bluntly states that Christians will be persecuted for their beliefs, and that evil will increase. Christians are called to be faithful nonetheless.
http://biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Timothy%203:12-13&version=NIV
Persecution in the Bible: 2 Corinthians 12:10
It might seem strange to delight in persecution and suffering, but that's exactly what Paul says he's doing in this verse. Because Christ's grace is often most evident when we are weak and broken down, we should look at challenges and trials as opportunities to truly shine for Jesus.
http://biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%2012:10&version=NIV
Endurance in the Bible: 2 Timothy 2:8-10
The apostle Paul suffered greatly for the Gospel, to the point of imprisonment and death. Here he states confidently that he is able to suffer through these trials because he wants everyone to hear the good news of Jesus Christ.
http://biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Timothy%202:8-10&version=NIV
Tribulation in the Bible: Revelation 2:10
Christians are not promised an easy life--far from it. The Bible specifically warns that Christ-followers will experience suffering. Our consolation comes in the knowledge that the battle against sin has already been won, and that Jesus will return one day.
http://biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev.2.10&version=NIV
Gold in the Bible: Job 23:10
Job, who has suffered much, here expresses his faith that once he has passed through the "tests" that he is being subjected to, his true character will be revealed, just as you might perform tests on a mineral to find out if it really is gold.
http://biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job.23.10&version=NIV
"Suffer" in the Bible: Romans 8:18-27
There's no denying that life on earth involves pain and suffering. The writer of this passage, however, asks us to look at it from a different perspective: whatever we suffer here on earth, it's nothing compared to the glory that God has in mind for us.
http://biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%208:18-27&version=NIV