1 benefits of suffering. 2 introduction there are many reasons why men suffer: their own sins the...

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Benefits Of Suffering

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Introduction

There are many reasons Why men suffer:

Their own sinsThe sins of othersAs a faithful Christian standing

for the truth – standing with God because we love Him

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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!

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1. Suffering Helps The Suffer To Know Himself

One of the greatest needs of man is to know himself

Ps. 139:23-24

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1. Suffering Helps The Suffer To Know Himself

Mt. 26:21 ffBefore he was severely tested

(which he failed) – Peter thought he was a tower of strength

However, the actual testing “introduced Peter to himself”

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1. Suffering Helps The Suffer To Know Himself

We may not really know ourselves until we have been put into “the crucible of suffering”

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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

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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.

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4. Suffering Helps Us See The Value Of Prayer

2 Ch. 33:9-13

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5. Suffering Helps Us Better Understand The Fatherhood Of God

Mt. 6:9

Mt. 7:7-11

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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

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7. It Helps Us To See That The Darkest Hours May Come Before The Brightest

How many give up too soon?

2 Cor. 5:7-8

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Gal. 6:9

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Rev. 2:10

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8. Some Spiritual Heights Are Only reached By Going Through The Valley

Of Affliction & Tears

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2 Cor. 4:17-19

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Deut. 4:40

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Deut. 4:30-31

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Ps. 119:71

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Conclusion

“Suffering provides the suffering an opportunity to ‘begin anew’ the monumental task of building the kind of life God would have him build”

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Conclusion

Instead of reacting bitterly against God each suffer should realize that he and his family may be richly blessed

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Job 13:15

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References

Spiritual Sword, Blessed Are Those Who Suffer---Faithfully (Mt. 5:10-12), Vol. 4 #3

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