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Benefits Of Suffering. Introduction. There are many reasons Why men suffer: Their own sins The sins of others As a faithful Christian standing for the truth – standing with God because we love Him. Introduction.
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Introduction • There are many reasons Why men suffer: • Their own sins • The sins of others • As a faithful Christian standing for the truth – standing with God because we love Him
Introduction • Suffering may be either beneficial or destructive – it depends upon how the one suffering reacts to it • Suffering can be the source of wonderful blessings if we react in the right way!
1. Suffering Helps The Suffer To Know Himself • One of the greatest needs of man is to know himself
1. Suffering Helps The Suffer To Know Himself • Mt. 26:21 ff • Before he was severely tested (which he failed) – Peter thought he was a tower of strength • However, the actual testing “introduced Peter to himself”
1. Suffering Helps The Suffer To Know Himself • We may not really know ourselves until we have been put into “the crucible of suffering”
2. It Helps Us See What Is Really Important • In the midst of great suffering we come to see what is really important • Wealth, power, popularity and such like have little appeal to a dying man
3. It Helps Us To Be Thankful For Our Blessings • We often take our blessings for granted • Let us remember that all good gifts come from God • Be thankful for the privilege of prayer, for salvation, the privilege of worship etc.
4. Suffering Helps Us See The Value Of Prayer • 2 Ch. 33:9-13
5. Suffering Helps Us Better Understand The Fatherhood Of God • Mt. 6:9
6. Helps Us To Better Understand Our Love For Others • When we see others suffer even to the point of dying, it helps us to better understand how much they mean to us – how much we truly love them • 1 Cor. 13
7. It Helps Us To See That The Darkest Hours May Come Before The Brightest • How many give up too soon?
8. Some Spiritual Heights Are Only reached By Going Through The Valley Of Affliction & Tears
Conclusion • “Suffering provides the suffering an opportunity to ‘begin anew’ the monumental task of building the kind of life God would have him build”
Conclusion • Instead of reacting bitterly against God each suffer should realize that he and his family may be richly blessed
References • Spiritual Sword, Blessed Are Those Who Suffer---Faithfully (Mt. 5:10-12), Vol. 4 #3