Resources/Encouragement/Biblical Reflection

By Summer Lane

Photo: Deposit

Are you in the midst of a wilderness season in your life? Is there something you desperately need or long to achieve that just hasn’t happened yet? Are you beginning to wonder if the suffering and sorrows will ever end? If that sounds like you, don’t worry: there is hope. 

Suffering is a feature of the human experience. When sin came into the world and ravaged this Earth, humans were never going to have the Garden of Eve life again (at least not until Christians are reunited with Christ). But why do we suffer? Why does God allow His children to go through trials and tribulations? Here are five verses to consider that back up five ways suffering can HELP us and not harm us!

Suffering keeps us humble 

Deuteronomy 8:2 — “Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.”

Suffering teaches us to live by God’s Word, rather than our own strength 

Matthew 4:4 – “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

Suffering tests and strengthens our faith 

How can we have endurance if we don’t train? Jeremiah 1:2-4 says, “Consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Suffering hones self-discipline 

Hebrews 12:10-11 – “God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

Suffering draws us nearer to the heart of the Father

1 Peter 1:6–7 — “Though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold…—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

Also consider: Psalm 63:1 — “You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you… in a dry and parched land where there is no water.”

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The Wilderness Isn’t Wasted: How God Uses Hard Seasons to Grow Leaders – Jason Jensen

Summer Lane is the #1 bestselling author of 30 books, including the hit Collapse Series and Resurrection Series. She is an experienced journalist and editor who is covering the White House and Trump administration. She owns Write Revolution News.

Summer is also a mom and wife who enjoys rural country living, herding cats, and gardening. She is passionate about writing on women’s issues, parenting, and politics from a theologically-grounded perspective that points readers to the good news of the gospel.

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