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Suffering - as gift

Anyone for a Little Scourging?

  • Basic
  • Edward T. Welch

The Bible teaches that the Lord disciplines those whom he loves. The author reflects on this truth found in Hebrews 12, with a view to explaining how sanctification comes through discipline.

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Reliance on God in Affliction

  • Basic
  • Anonymous

This article shows from 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 that one of the reasons for suffering is that we would rely not on ourselves but on the God of the resurrection.

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2 Corinthians 1:8 – Paul's Affliction in Asia

  • Semi-Technical
  • Roy Yates

This article considers 2 Corinthians 1:8 and the theme of suffering and affliction in the life of the apostle Paul.

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Suffering for Christ: A Gift of Divine Grace

  • Basic
  • Mike Riccardi

This article shows from passages like Philippians 1:29 how suffering for Christ is a gift of God's grace, established and used by him.

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Redemptive Suffering and Paul's Thorn in the Flesh

  • Semi-Technical
  • Ronald Russell

What is the purpose of the use of modern medicine? Should all attention be given to the relief of pain and suffering? Does the quest for health and the prolonging of life at all costs become a way for health-care providers to function as modern priests, dispensing immortality?

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Suffering Now, Glory Later?

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  • Christopher Ash

This article shows that prosperity gospel has twisted God's word, and is actually not gospel at all since it promises what God did not promise. Working from Romans 5:3-5, the author shows that the true gospel message is suffering now and glory later. This was the pattern of Christ's life and this is the pattern of His followers, because through suffering God's works out in us the character which He desires.

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The Wait of Glory

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  • R. C. Sproul Jr.

This article is about the suffering in our lives and the wait for glory to come. The author also looks at what suffering works out in our lives, and the patience of God.

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Youth Yoke: The Necessity of Hardship for Young Men

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  • Eric Davis

This article gives ten reasons why hardship or adversity is beneficial, especially for young men.

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Blessed Are the Persecuted

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  • Andrew de Vries

The Bible is clear that persecution is part of the Christian life. It also makes it clear that being persecuted for Christ's name is a blessing, for persecution shows that one is in a relationship with Jesus Christ, it strengthens faith, it brings reward, and it gives courage to advance the gospel.

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No Pain, No Gain

  • Basic
  • Mark Dever

This article encourages believers to change their attitude towards trials and suffering in their lives. God is glorified through our perseverance in suffering, and our suffering teaches us to trust in God.

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The Christian and Suffering

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  • William W. Harrell Jr.

This article looks at suffering as chastisement from God for our spiritual growth.

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Why Must We Suffer?

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  • Klaas Stam

Why must we suffer? This article looks at God and suffering, the purpose of suffering and training in grace.

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Better Late Insight is Gained by Waiting to Tell Joel's Story

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  • Mary Wynja

This article is about suffering and the providence of God.

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Ten Things You Should Know about Persecution

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  • Tim Keesee

What should Christians think about persecution? Here are ten things you need to know.

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Pastor, God May Lavish You with Uncomfortable Grace

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  • Jeff Robinson

This article describes a seldom-celebrated side of grace, sometimes referred to as uncomfortable grace. It shows how Scripture and church history overflow with this grace of God's.

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When Suffering Sets Us Free

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  • Greg Wilson

What is God doing with your suffering? From 2 Corinthians 1:3-7, this article explains that God wants to comfort you, comfort others, and draw you near.

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Four Ways to Sense God through Suffering

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  • Matt Manry

Suffering can actually liberate you and help you grow deeper in your relationship with God. How? This article explains four ways that Christians can perceive God is with them in suffering: they can do so through the gospel, God's Word, prayer, and worship.

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Teach Your People to Suffer

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  • Eric Dodson

This article explains how very difficult suffering can be an incredible blessing, and encourages church leaders to prepare their people for suffering. It is a present reality, produces sanctification, increases fellowship, and produces hope.

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Why Are You Suffering? Here’s God’s Answer

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  • David Powlison

With an eye to Job, this article reckons with the question, where is God in your suffering? It discusses three truths about suffering: God doesn't promise to keep us from suffering, he doesn't promise earthly goods, and he works through suffering. So the article shows how we can find hope in suffering.

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Faithfully Afflicted

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  • Daniel Kleyn

God does not spare his children from afflictions. These are signs of God’s love to his children, for through them he reveals his care as a Father, and he disciplines his children. So Christians must pay attention to their afflictions.

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Don’t Waste Your Suffering (Part 3)

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  • Mark Loughridge

How can you make the best of your suffering? This article suggests avoiding the temptation to succumb to idolatry—hanging contentment on Christ plus something. The article explains this by looking at possible idols from your past, present, and future. It issues the call to train ourselves to delight in all that Christ has done for us.

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Don't Waste Your Suffering (Part 1)

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  • Mark Loughridge

This article considers three ways we can waste our suffering, all of which have to do with our eyesight. Suffering exposes the nature of our trust, as in, how much or little we look to God. There are two common sources that weaken our faith: looking too much at the problem, and listening too much to our emotions.

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Thirty-Six Purposes of God in Our Suffering

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  • Paul Tautges

Does God have a purpose for your suffering? This article shares thirty-six purposes of suffering.

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Twelve Things to Thank God for in the Midst of Affliction

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  • Mark Altrogge

Is it possible to be thankful in suffering? This article gives twelve reasons that should make the Christian thankful in the face of afflictions.

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Learning to Suffer Well: Trusting God's Absolute Sovereignty

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  • Mike Riccardi

This article demonstrates by way of Lamentations and Job that we need to acknowledge the sovereignty of God even in painful circumstances

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Five Reasons to Rejoice in Persecution

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  • Tim Challies

This article offers five reasons for rejoicing when facing persecution.

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8 Ways God Works Suffering for Our Good

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  • Tim Challies

Do you battle to understand how God works suffering for your good? This article mentions eight ways he does.

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The Power in Paul's Teaching (1 Corinthians 4:9-20)

  • Semi-Technical
  • William David Spencer

In what sense does the apostle Paul use the word "power" in 1 Corinthians 4:9-20? The paper argues that it is a reference to sharing in the suffering of Christ.

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When Love Lets Us Suffer

  • Basic
  • Dave Jenkins

How can God allow us to suffer if he loves us? This article shows how God works for the good in our suffering, from the story of Lazarus' death as recorded in John 11.

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God's Grace and Your Sufferings

  • Popular
  • David Steele

How can you make sense of pain? Based on 2 Corinthians 11:24-28 this article shows that pain, evil, and suffering can make sense when one acknowledges the reality of it, the purpose of it, and God's providential involvement in it.

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Reflections on Pain

  • Basic
  • Micah Everett

This article shows that pain and suffering should not hinder Christians from being of service to God.

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Wilderness University

  • Basic
  • David P. Murray

This article shows how God shapes Christians in times of hardships, suffering, and failures. He brings a correct view of who he is and who we are.

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Christ-Likeness Through Suffering

  • Basic
  • J. Greendyk

This article shows that enduring underserved suffering for Christ’s sake is the way God conforms us to Christ.

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Suffering – The Gift Nobody Wants

  • Popular
  • Michael Willemse

God uses suffering to remind His children that this world is not their home, to teach them that they are dependent on Him, and to train them to holiness. God's allows suffering so that His children will find their life in Him, through Him and for Him.

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Humility in Affliction

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  • Daniel Kleyn

It is a given that, in one way or another, every Christian will face affliction for the sake of Christ. This is so because God’s hand directs such afflictions. This article shares way to respond in a godly way in times of suffering. Pride and the way it manifests itself causes one respond wrongly to affliction. However, humility and acknowledging God characterize a proper response.

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Rejoice in the Midst of Suffering?

  • Popular
  • Jason Helopoulos

Christians too will experience suffering in their lives. This article shows that the Bible calls Christians to endure and even rejoice in suffering. Rejoicing in suffering is crucial for ourselves, for our witness to others, and for the glory of God.

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The Crook in the Lot

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  • Philip G. Ryken

This article looks at the reasons God allows suffering. The author shows that suffering reveals our trust of Christ, convict us of sins, corrects us, and focuses our happiness on Christ.

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The Advantages of Suffering

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Suffering, though painful, has advantages. This article lists some of the advantages of suffering.

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A Sign: United and Fearless with the Gift of Suffering

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  • John Piper

Suffering in the service of Christ is a gift of God. It is part of our Christian calling. (Philippians 1:27-30)

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An Open Letter to True Believers: Living Through Afflictions Christianly

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  • Joel R. Beeke

How should Christians respond to affliction and suffering? This letter mentions seven ways which suffering and affliction direct you to Christ.

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Do I Really Need to Suffer?

  • Popular
  • Tim Challies

Many Christians have come to spiritual maturity through suffering. Does it mean every Christian must suffer in order to be mature? What is the relationship between maturity and suffering? It is this questions that this article answers.

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My Father Planned it All

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  • John Blankespoor

This article shows the relationship between God’s providence and sovereignty in relation to human suffering and pain, showing that suffering and pain comes from God our Father.

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Pain's Many Blessings Pain is both one of God’s great gifts and a theological problem

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  • Irene Howat

This article explains how pain is a gift of God, how it opens up opportunities to serve God and others.

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Salvation and Suffering According to Jesus

  • Semi-Technical
  • Seyoon Kim

This article explains how salvation and suffering are inseparable in the life and message of Jesus. The kingdom of heaven has been inaugurated while Satan still acts through sin in the world. The obedience of believers to God often implies sacrifice and suffering. The struggle between the kingdom of God and the revolt of Satan is a reality today.

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Suffering, Love and Glory

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  • Matthew Holst

Sometimes the Lord visits us with hard providences. Our default reaction is prayer for an end to the trial. Yet what happens when our suffering continues? This article draws out precious lessons regarding this issue from the account of the raising of Lazarus in John 11.

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What or whom we worship determines our behaviour. John Murray
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