On the face of it, suffering is regarded as negative and bad. Many Christians see suffering as an attack from the enemy or as a consequence of sin.
The focus of this article is to look at suffering from the Christian perspective and what attitude a Christian should have when undergoing a period of suffering.
First, it should be noted that biblical suffering comes in various forms. It comes as trials, temptations or tribulations.
Trial is a state of being tested. During this period, one could go through a period of distress or pain. Things happen to us which test the very foundation of what we have believed.
Tribulation on the other hand, is a severe form of trial. It comes in various forms which include physical and psychological stress. It means to...
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Inspirational writing to encourage you, just because we care!
I stopped at the local gas station with my oldest son to fill-up my car the other day. I told him to go on in and get himself a can of pop while I pumped the gas. After I finished and got in line to pay I looked to see where he was. I soon found him by the front doors of the store. He was opening one for a woman with her arms full of groceries.
He accepted her thanks with a cheerful "no problem" and quickly moved to the other door to open it for a little girl struggling to pull it out. I smiled when I saw this wonderful goodness, kindness, politeness, and helpfulness in my son. He was so full of the habits of love that it warmed my heart. I told him what a fine, young man he has become as we walked back to the car. It is something I can never tell him enough.
The theologian J...
He accepted her thanks with a cheerful "no problem" and quickly moved to the other door to open it for a little girl struggling to pull it out. I smiled when I saw this wonderful goodness, kindness, politeness, and helpfulness in my son. He was so full of the habits of love that it warmed my heart. I told him what a fine, young man he has become as we walked back to the car. It is something I can never tell him enough.
The theologian J...
"Whatever is has already been,
and what will be has been before;
and God will call the past to account."
Ecclesiastes 3: 15
"What has been will be again,
what has been done will be done again;
there is nothing new under the sun."
Ecclesiastes 1: 9
Solomon, the Teacher King, most likely is the author of Ecclesiastes. While Solomon seems to have a world-weary attitude in this Bible book, we know that God allowed Solomon to become "wiser than any other man." (I Kings 4:31). These verses seem to suggest that the experience of men continually repeats itself. Men of all ages experience the same problems, human situations, and temptations...and the same emotional and spiritual joys. God Himself will call back the past, probably as part of man's learning process.
While we do s...
and what will be has been before;
and God will call the past to account."
Ecclesiastes 3: 15
"What has been will be again,
what has been done will be done again;
there is nothing new under the sun."
Ecclesiastes 1: 9
Solomon, the Teacher King, most likely is the author of Ecclesiastes. While Solomon seems to have a world-weary attitude in this Bible book, we know that God allowed Solomon to become "wiser than any other man." (I Kings 4:31). These verses seem to suggest that the experience of men continually repeats itself. Men of all ages experience the same problems, human situations, and temptations...and the same emotional and spiritual joys. God Himself will call back the past, probably as part of man's learning process.
While we do s...
"The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry." Psalm 34:15
"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:16
Prayer is essential to the Christian. Just as eating is essential to one's physical well being, so is prayer to one's spiritual well being. When we were children, my second youngest sister hated to eat. Consequently, she was small, pale, and physically weak.
She was subject to every childhood disease that came along. In fact, the school nurse, a bane to my mother, approached Mom, accusing her of not providing proper nourishment for the child. My mother, a nurse herself, said, "Take a look at my other chi...
"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:16
Prayer is essential to the Christian. Just as eating is essential to one's physical well being, so is prayer to one's spiritual well being. When we were children, my second youngest sister hated to eat. Consequently, she was small, pale, and physically weak.
She was subject to every childhood disease that came along. In fact, the school nurse, a bane to my mother, approached Mom, accusing her of not providing proper nourishment for the child. My mother, a nurse herself, said, "Take a look at my other chi...
Just before the end of a year, one tends to look ahead into the New Year and think of the things one would want to achieve. Among these things would be what we have never done before and also those things we tried in the past and failed.
From personal experience, I have found out that in nine out of ten instances, obstacles arise to frustrate my aspirations and intentions. However, my best success comes not because of the obstacles but in spite of them.
Even when we have received a word from God concerning a thing, obstacles do come. The fact that God has spoken does not guarantee immunity from obstacles, rather the obstacles make us more aware of how important that thing is to us and should fuel our determination to succeed.
When Joseph had the dream which put him in a pos...
From personal experience, I have found out that in nine out of ten instances, obstacles arise to frustrate my aspirations and intentions. However, my best success comes not because of the obstacles but in spite of them.
Even when we have received a word from God concerning a thing, obstacles do come. The fact that God has spoken does not guarantee immunity from obstacles, rather the obstacles make us more aware of how important that thing is to us and should fuel our determination to succeed.
When Joseph had the dream which put him in a pos...
"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us," (Romans 8:18 NIV)
"Does Bill's wife have a drinking problem?" I will never forget those words ringing in my ears.
I had begun to stagger, my balance was off; that was the first indication given to some people that I had a problem. They assumed it was a drinking problem, merely because my lack of balance caused a sway when I walked.
They were jumping to conclusions; I couldn't blame them for what they preserved though it still hurt to think they thought such thoughts of me. It did, though, push me to seek aides to help with my problems.
So I entered the store where they sold handicapped equipment. I didn't want to go; I didn't feel handicapped...
"Does Bill's wife have a drinking problem?" I will never forget those words ringing in my ears.
I had begun to stagger, my balance was off; that was the first indication given to some people that I had a problem. They assumed it was a drinking problem, merely because my lack of balance caused a sway when I walked.
They were jumping to conclusions; I couldn't blame them for what they preserved though it still hurt to think they thought such thoughts of me. It did, though, push me to seek aides to help with my problems.
So I entered the store where they sold handicapped equipment. I didn't want to go; I didn't feel handicapped...
