Suffering is real and it is hard. What is the Christian’s ultimate hope in suffering? How can we ready ourselves when the hard times come?

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Recommended Resources

The Association of Certified Biblical Counselors: https://biblicalcounseling.com/

The Truth in Podcast: https://biblicalcounseling.com/resources/truth-in-love/

Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands by Paul David Tripp: https://amzn.to/2pbVGV5

SPF 033: Counseling the Hard Stuff: http://www.sheprovesfaithful.com/podcast/episode33

Truth in Love Podcast: Heaven’s Hope https://biblicalcounseling.com/til-227-heavens-hope/

What is our Hope in Suffering?

In suffering our primary aim is not symptom relief it is a commitment to the eternal verses the temporary.

In suffering it’s so important for us to run to what is eternal – what is lasting. Putting our hope in what is to come is a light to our path in the midst of pain. If we base our hope in temporary things, then when those things don’t go the way we want, our hope dissolves.

Hope in the Nourishing Root of Christ:

Romans 11:17-18

Christ nourishes our souls by

1. We are introduced through Christ to God

2. Because of the root we know the good and perfect law and what our future will be like!

3. We know the Truth

4. We are given the Son (heirs)

5. We are given the Holy Spirit

We are at the mercy of God:

Another eternal truth is that our lives can be secure now even though our circumstances aren’t. That we are not at the mercy of suffering or circumstances. No. We are at the mercy of God, who created us and knows our inmost being, who saves us, justifies us, sanctifies us and glorifies us. Who is with us.

Hebrews 4:16

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Psalm 65:1-4

Know the this world is not the end:

Our souls are eternal and because of Christ there will be an end to suffering.

Revelation 21:1-5

hen I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

“Happiness is a shadow in this world. We can spend our time chasing it, but to what end. We have eternal joy in Christ and we can run after Him because He is the substance, not the shadow.”

Keep the eternal in mind is to renew the inner self:

2 Cor 4:16 says So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.

We need to tend to the inner self in suffering because the outside is wasting away.

How do I get to a place where I respond in faith and trust of God? Where I can say, “We are going to honor the Lord” no matter what the circumstance is?

1. A faithful commitment to know the heart of God through His Holy Word.

2. Being fed by a godly pastor’s teachings

3. Having fellowship in the church

It’s that whole counsel of God preaching that goes every verse-by-verse through every book of the Bible that really equips people to know the heart of God. – Jim Hamilton

Get to know the heart of God!

Responsible For Our Response

No matter what channel the suffering comes through we are still accountable for our response.

An appropriate response in a difficult situation is, “We’re going to honor the Lord.” Dale Johnson

Read the book of Job! Job 42!

Resources

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