In the Midst of Suffering (Part 1)

1 Thessalonians 1:4-8

4 For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction.  You know how we lived among you for your sake.  6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message IN THE MIDST OF SUFFERING with joy given by the Holy Spirit.  7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.  8 The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia - your faith in God has become known everywhere.  Therefore we do not need to say anything about it.

I believe all of are in one of three places in this life: 1. We are either COMING OUT of suffering; 2. We are IN THE MIDDLE of suffering;  or 3. We are HEADING TOWARD suffering.  The dictionary says to "suffer" means "to undergo or to be subjected to or to endure pain, distress, possible injury, loss, or anything unpleasant."  The Holman Bible Dictionary says three categories of suffering exist: 1. Suffering caused by physical limitations; 2. Suffering caused by natural disasters; and 3. Suffering caused by human actions.  Suffering is a reality in this life.

The Bible says much to us about suffering.  One question that is asked time and time again about suffering is this: WHY DO WE SUFFER?  In Genesis 1, we read that God created the heavens and the earth.  When God created the earth and everything in it, it was good.  The man and the woman were enjoying a perfect world and a perfect relationship with God.  In Genesis 3, the man and the woman chose to sin against God.  In that moment, sin came into this world, and the world has been broken ever since.  Suffering came into this world as a result of sin.  However, God loves us.  God stepped into our brokenness and our sin, and He made a way to be right with Him.  In Genesis 3:14-19, God made two promises that we need to know.  God promised a Savior, One who would rescue us and redeem us from our sin.  God also promised suffering because of sin.  Pain and toil and trouble would plague the earth and mankind.  If we are not careful, we focus so much on the promise of suffering and the reality of suffering that we miss the promise and the reality of salvation!

Paul David Tripp says in his book, Suffering, "Suffering is real, tangible, personal, and specific.  Scripture presents to the one suffering a loving God who understands, who cares, and who invites us to come to Him for help, and who promises us one day to end all suffering of every kind."  Why do we suffer?  We suffer as a result of sin.  However, God can and will use the suffering to bring us blessings!  When you look at the church mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 1, we see the people IN THE MIDST OF SUFFERING.  Yet, this church - these people - were marked by faith, hope, and love (v. 3).  This church - these people - had a dynamic faith!  Their local communities knew about their faith.   The world knew about their faith.  Paul said that he didn't need to say anything about their faith because their lives said enough!  How did they respond IN THE MIDST OF SUFFERING?  They chose to focus on the message of the gospel IN THE MIDST OF SUFFERING.  The Holy Spirit blessed them with joy IN THE MIDST OF SUFFERING.  God blessed them IN THE MIDST OF SUFFERING.  We need to remember that God has a long-term plan in mind for us as believers; His plan is not temporal but rather eternal.  Through repentance and belief in Jesus Christ, God saves us from our sin, and He sanctifies in this life.  God uses the suffering in this life for our good and for His glory.  Paul David Tripp also says in his book, "Suffering has the power to expose what or who you have been trusting all along."  When we suffer, we can learn so much more about God and so much more about ourselves.  Many times I have learned through suffering that I trust in myself way too much; I trust in my family, my education, my job, and my resources on earth way too much.  I have learned through suffering that I don't really trust God as much as I say I do, or worst yet, at all when things begin to all apart.  IN THE MIDST OF SUFFERING, I have to choose what or who I believe.  I have to choose to believe that God is with me and God is for me.  I have to choose to believe that God is in control even when I don't feel it or see it.  What or who I believe makes all the difference IN THE MIDST OF SUFFERING.

I don't know where you are right now...coming out of suffering, in the middle of suffering, or heading toward suffering.  I don't know what or who you are trusting IN THE MIDST OF SUFFERING.  I do know what God's Word says, and I believe God's Word.  Jesus says in John 16:33, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world."  James says in James 1:2-4, "Consider it pure joy, my brother and sisters, 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."  I know and believe that God loves you.  I know and believe that God has promised to save you from your sins through Jesus Christ.  I know and believe that God has promised suffering in this life as a result of sin.  I know and believe that God can and God will use the suffering to bring blessings to you and through you.  What do you believe IN THE MIDST OF SUFFERING?  Who do you believe IN THE MIDST OF SUFFERING?  What you believe and who you believe will make all the difference in your life...temporally and eternally.