Where Do We Turn for Healing? People today have the same needs that they did when Jesus walked the earth. But do we think about Him when we are in the midst of our problems or sin? We serve a God who offers us healing, both spiritual and physical. Do you need healing? Who do you go to when you need to be healed? Do you look to Jesus? Do You Want to Be Made Well? Jesus asks us the same question today, "Do you want to be made well" (John 5:8). Think about that question for a moment. Who would possibly not want to be made well? In this story, the man by the pool of Bethesda had been unable to walk for 38 years. He had lain by this pool with no one to help him enter the healing waters. He had "no friend" he told Jesus. Yet in his hopelessness, Jesus approached him with a surprising question. The Healing We All Need Although Jesus would heal the paralyzed man's body in John 5, His question reaches much deeper than physical illness. Every person carries wounds that cannot be seen. Sin, guilt, bitterness, fear, and hopelessness all leave us in need of a different kind of healing. We all need to be healed, either physically or spiritually, or sometimes both. And so our Savior, who is "a friend who sticks closer than a brother", offers him hope (Proverbs 18:24). But before he does, He asks that question. Deep in this man's heart what was stirred by that question? Perhaps he had given up to the point where he had lost any real desire for healing. Maybe he was blaming others for his troubles. The other sick people at the pool who got in the water ahead of him, the lack of friends, and the extent of his illness all became reasons he remained unable to walk for 38 years. Or maybe he knew that there really was no hope without an intervention from someone who was bigger than his problem. Jesus’ question forced the man to confront a hard reality: change can be frightening. If you have been in a bad place for many years, whether physically or spiritually, it becomes our familiar place. It becomes who we are. Jesus was asking him essentially, "Do you want change?" Oh and change can be hard. If the man became well, his whole life would be altered. Don't be too hard on him if he hesitated in his heart. But we are just speculating. Scripture doesn't say anything about his heart, but there are hints. We do know that the man never said yes or no. He offered explanations for why he hadn't been healed but he rather ignored Jesus' direct question. But Jesus knew his heart. He knew the outcome before he ever saw the man. The Power of Christ's Word After Jesus heard the man's story He told him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk"(John 5:8). Now look at what the man does. He is immediately healed and with no hesitation picks up his mat and walks. So, this man who presumable knew nothing about Jesus, did exactly as he was told to do. He didn't say, "But sir I can't." When Jesus spoke those words, he must have felt them all the way to his bones. He didn't hesitate because he knew he was well. His obedience was as immediate as his healing. The man trusted Jesus for his physical healing. You and I, when we know Jesus as our spiritual healer and our Redeemer, we can also trust God completely and immediately. He also gives us a command. He tells us to love and this we must do because we owe Him everything. Unlike the man that day, we know exactly who Jesus is — our Redeemer and healer. If we aren't a Christian, maybe we are still asking the most important question we will ever ask, "Who is this Man?" Do we really want to wait a life time to find out? Seek Him out, don't wait 38 years or even one more moment, but look to the One who offers hope and healing. Jesus Cares About More Than Physical Healing Later, Jesus finds the man in the temple. This would be the first time in 38 years the man could do such a thing. Being paralyzed in the first century Jewish world meant being restricted from the inner areas of the temple. As a healed man, going to the temple would have been done either out of religious obligation or thanksgiving for his healing. We are not told which it was. But it was in the temple that Jesus saw him and spoke once more. “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you” (John 5:14). There is an implication in what Jesus says some interpreters believe. It seems that his physical ailment may have been brought on in some way by sin in his younger days, although Scripture never explicitly says so. What is clear is that Jesus was concerned about something even more serious than the man's physical health: his spiritual condition. After being reminded of his physical healing, Jesus firmly tells him, "Sin no more." Whatever may have caused his problems so many years ago might tempt him again. We often see the same pattern in our own lives. We should remind ourselves after receiving our physical or spiritual healing to be thankful and praise God for who He is. Both come naturally at first but over time we begin to take our blessings for granted. This leads to foolish complacency and spiritual drift. We start to forget our blessings and the very sins that caused us so much heartache. Perhaps these sins were even the source of our physical suffering. Sadly, old sins may begin to tempt us again. But if we return to sin and abandon God, Jesus says a worse thing could happen to us. Sin often brings a heavy price. Look back at where the healed man was when Jesus spoke to him. He wasn't out enjoying all the things his newly healed body could do. He could have been anywhere, but he was in the temple. When we are at church or in private moments of prayer, does Jesus remind us that we have been healed? Does the Holy Spirit convict us of sin and warn us, "Don't go there?" How Will You Answer Jesus? He asks us the same question as He did the paralyzed man. "Do you want to be healed?" And what is our response? If we have lived many years only for ourselves it can be frightening to realize that if we say yes to Jesus, everything in our life will change. Maybe we are complacent in our sin and don't really want to be healed. But if we want a life of true joy then we will not even have to say, "Yes." Jesus knows our heart. When He asks, it is not with the lips that we respond but our heart. The Healing That Lasts Forever Even if we are never healed from a physical infirmity in this life, Jesus offers healing spiritually, and ultimately physically, that will last for an eternity. He calls us, "Do you want to be made well?" and like the paralyzed man, our response should be immediate. The paralyzed man didn't walk because of his own strength but the power of Christ working in him. This power is given to us today. We can walk in the light of Christ but only through His Holy Spirit. That should give us real hope. Our weakness and inability to do for ourselves leaves us open to Christ working in us. Our friends can't save us. Our own determination can't save us. Only Jesus, precious Jesus, can save us. The old hymn writer Louisa Stead expressed that trust beautifully. Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus (1882) 'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, and to take him at his word; just to rest upon his promise, and to know, "Thus saith the Lord." Refrain: Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him! How I've proved him o'er and o'er! Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust him more!

The Slow Drift of Spiritual Complacency Spiritual complacency rarely happens overnight. Most Christians do not wake up one morning and decide to drift away from God. Instead, it happens quietly through small compromises, neglected habits, and the assumption that yesterday's faithfulness is enough for today. That is exactly why Scripture repeatedly warns us against becoming spiritually complacent. To illustrate this let's look at a story of a married couple. A man and woman, very much in love, were married. Both cared for each other's needs, both sought forgiveness when they wronged one another, both were thoughtful and both sought only the best for the other. Slowly, very slowly, things began to change. Since each one knew that they were loved they started to take each other for granted. They grew a little lazy, a little sloppy, a little complacent about their relationship. They didn't always say "I love you", they didn't always apologize for small wrongs, they didn't always remember to be thoughtful. He thought, "She knows how much I love her." She thought, "He knows how much I care." Until one day they woke up and realized that they didn't anymore. That is what complacency can do to a human relationship. That same slow drift can happen in our relationship with God. Before we look at one of Scripture's clearest examples, it helps to understand what complacency really is. What does complacency actually mean? It means a feeling of smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one's achievements. It means you are so self-satisfied that you see no need to try harder. If complacency can slowly destroy a marriage, imagine what it can do to our walk with God. Scripture gives us a sobering picture in the church of Laodicea. Complacent About God What does being spiritually complacent do to our relationship with God? The church at Laodicea in Revelation chapter 3 is an example of a complacent church. The people weren't bored with God, but then they weren't excited either. The people felt like they had it all. They were financially comfortable and in their world, money bought happiness, or so they thought. Christ did not simply expose their problem. He also told them how to overcome it. God tells them though that things are not the way they perceive them to be. He tells them they are "wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked". God's solution is for them to be zealous and repent because if they don't, the ones that He loves, He "rebukes and chastens." Are We Zealous? To be zealous is to show great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or objective. Are we enthusiastic in our pursuit of a better relationship with God? Do we show great energy in pursuing a holier life, a fruit filled life for Jesus? Are we desperate for Jesus? How many people do you know that you could actually name that act like this? Without repentance we can't properly seek a holier life. Without repentance there can be no true zeal. We can all make the journey from complacency to repentance and hope. The marriage at the beginning of this article illustrates exactly what Jesus was warning about. They wanted a good relationship, one that would last, and so they worked energetically toward that goal. As time passed though they became self-satisfied. They had a good marriage and it would always be that way, or so they thought. They forgot how much effort they put into each other in the beginning. Like the church at Laodicea they felt that they "had need of nothing." In Deuteronomy 8:11-14 it says, "Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery." Then in verses 17 and 18 we read that people may say to themselves that it was their own power and strength that produced this wealth. They are reminded that it is God who gives us the ability to produce wealth. The chapter continues to say that to forget God, to bow before other gods (sometimes we try to make ourselves god), has a price. Like nations in the past, if you continue in your disobedience and complacency, you will be destroyed. Notice the common thread running through each of these warnings: prosperity and self-satisfaction often lead people to forget God. The Danger of Self-Reliance Complacency has a lot to do with self-satisfaction. Notice that self seems to come up a lot. We live in a society today totally focused on self. What makes me happy is the only important thing. That people notice my accomplishments. That people applaud me and my talents, my money, and my abilities. Zephaniah 1:12 says this about complacency, "And it shall come to pass at that time That I will search Jerusalem with lamps, And punish the men Who are settled in complacency, Who say in their heart, ‘The Lord will not do good, Nor will He do evil.’" Is this us today? Have we so forgotten the Lord that we believe He will "do nothing"? In verse 17 we find out what happens to those who were complacent. Zephaniah tells us that Gd will bring a terrible distress on people. He says their blood will be poured out. Zephaniah warns where complacency leads nationally. Proverbs shows the same principle on a personal level. The Complacency Of Fools Proverbs 1:32 (NIV) says very concisely, "the complacency of fools will destroy them". Complacency leads to destruction. In Luke 12:13-21 Jesus tells the parable of the rich fool. He has it all and he wants more. He is all about partying and enjoying his riches. But then... God tells him he will die and what will happen to all of his stuff? What does it profit him to have riches for himself but none of the riches of God? As Matthew 6:19-21 points out, the treasures of Heaven are not destroyed by moth or rust and can't be stolen by thieves. If complacency is the disease, what is the cure? We Need Zeal What we need is the fervor, the energy and excitement, the zeal of a young person in love. They don't care what other people think. They will get down on one knee in front of a crowd and vow their everlasting love. Would we make a vow like that to our King in front of a crowd? Do we seek our Lord with all that is within us? Is our one desire to serve Him faithfully? The church at Laodicea shows us exactly what happens when that zeal disappears. The spiritually poor, blind and naked church at Laodicea; money had become their God. They were so self-reliant they forgot the One who gave them life everlasting. They had become foolish. The complacency of fools is still dangerous today because it slowly replaces zeal with self-sufficiency and dependence on God with dependence on ourselves. Only God provides our real needs. Jesus said the Laodiceans were like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold and He would vomit them out. But to those believers who repent and are zealous He promised they will share in His kingdom. Spiritual zeal is not emotional excitement for a moment. It is a heart that continually remembers who God is and refuses to take His grace for granted. Today, as then, Christ calls us to repentance. He calls us to a zealousness for things of His Father. He calls us to show the world what a life devoted to Christ really means.

How God Uses Wilderness Experiences Many people say they want God to use them. Few realize how God often prepares those He intends to use. Throughout Scripture, that preparation frequently begins in places of waiting, hardship, loneliness, and dependence. Before there was a call, there was often a wilderness. You and I probably won't be called to go out into the desert before our work for God begins, but we may still have a wilderness experience. God may lead us to a place where we will learn dependence on Him instead of ourselves. God will seek to teach us something new about Him and our relationship to Him. We may even discover He is preparing us for a mission. Not every hardship is a punishment from God, and not every wilderness experience is the result of personal sin. Sometimes God uses seasons of waiting, uncertainty, or difficulty to shape our character, deepen our faith, and prepare us for what lies ahead. The very things we would choose to avoid are the things God may use to strengthen us. Waiting in the wilderness can come in different forms. Abram was called from his home to a new land by God. After he arrived, God promised he would become the father of many nations, but as he grew older and older that promise seemed further and further away. But God did the miraculous. As an old childless man with a barren wife, God brought out of that their son, Isaac. The fulfillment of God's promise caused Abraham to recognize that God is always faithful to His Word. What He says, He will do, even if it seems impossible to us. Abraham's preparation by God led him to become the father of the nation of Israel. God Prepares Us In the Wilderness Joseph spent years as a slave and in prison because of his jealous brothers. During this time he remained faithful and obedient to God. We have to remember that Joseph didn't know the end of his story. For all he knew this would be his life forever. But during that time of hardship he learned many things. God had a plan in his suffering. Most importantly he learned that God's timing was always the right timing. He eventually rose to a place of great power in Egypt just at the time that Joseph's brother's and his people needed his help. His brother's betrayal was meant for evil but God used it for good. Can you remember a time when something bad happened in your life that God in some way turned around and used it for good? Have you seen God's timing working in your life? Perhaps in hindsight you can see how waiting for something helped you grow in your relationship to Him. Joseph was not the only servant God prepared through years of waiting. In the story of Moses, we discover that he had fled into the wilderness after killing an Egyptian. There he becomes a Midian sheep herder for 40 years. Moses, who was raised as a brother to the pharaoh with all the power and wealth that that implies, had now been reduced to a common laborer. One of the many lessons he learned during this time was humility. Psalm 25:9 says, "The humble He guides in justice, and the humble He teaches His way." Certainly of all people it could be said that God taught Moses His way. In fact, in Numbers 12:3 we are told that Moses was the most humble man on earth. God prepared him for his purpose—the deliverer of His people. Do you think that Moses ever imagined God would use him as He did while he was in the wilderness? Different people. Different circumstances. Yet the lesson is remarkably similar. God often prepares His servants in seasons of insignificance before He entrusts them with greater responsibilities. What is our purpose? These experiences help us to know. Even nations sometimes have wilderness experiences. The Israelites wandered the desert for 40 years before they entered the promised land. Deuteronomy 8:2-3 explains why. Here God told them it was to teach them humility and what was truly in their heart. Would they obey Him or not? God explained that man does not live by bread alone but more importantly he lives the Words that come from the mouth of the Lord. When we have done without things and experienced trials of loss, have we learned the importance of humility? Have we learned to listen to the Lord's Words? Wilderness experiences are not limited to failures or national discipline. Even those already chosen by God often waited years before His promises came to pass. When David was promised to become king as a young man, why did he have to wait so long? Why did he have to spend years on the run from Saul? Because during this time God was once again teaching one of His saints important lessons. He learned to be strong and wait on God's timing (Psalm 27:14). God taught him that He would hear his cry after patient waiting (Psalm 40:1-3). In Psalm 5:3, David says that when he laid his requests before God, he could wait expecting His reply. And like many before him, David learned to ask God to show him the path he should take. He learned that God would teach him if he asked him. David found his hope in the only place that really mattered, God (Psalm 25:4-5). David was prepared by his experience to be the great King he would become. This pattern of waiting in the wilderness continues in the New Testament. John the Baptist's Wilderness Preparation John the Baptist spent about 30 years in the wilderness. It was a time of preparation for him for his mission. This time was a fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah (Isaiah 40:3). The people accepted him as a prophet after almost 400 years of silence (Matthew 21:23-27). He was the first to recognize Jesus as who He really was. His baptism of Jesus was the official beginning of Christ's ministry. John, like those before him, learned his purpose and to rely on God. Free from the distractions of the world, John was able to focus solely on God. How often do the distractions in our own life keep us from understanding what God would have us do? Jesus in the Wilderness Jesus also spent time in the wilderness. Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan (Matthew 4:1). Here Jesus relied on His Father for strength, He remained fully committed to His mission, and He showed us the importance of obedience. When He returned from the desert, He was "full of the power of the Spirit" to set out on His earthly mission. As our role model, He showed us how to respond to temptation. Having endured temptation in the wilderness, He understands every temptation we face, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Paul's Time in Arabia Finally, the example of Paul shows us the importance of preparation. After his experience on the road to Damascus and his conversion, Paul explains that he spent three years in Arabia being directly taught by "revelation from Jesus Christ"(Galatians 1:12). Paul was very learned in Old Testament scripture, but now He learned how that same scripture predicted the coming of Jesus as the Messiah. His mission, he discovered, was to preach Jesus to the Gentiles, becoming the greatest missionary of the early church. What have we done to prepare ourselves for God's work? Have we studied, prayed, and set time apart just for God? What Can We Learn from the Wilderness? If these great men from the Bible, including our Savior, spent time in the wilderness, can't we also expect to? When we do, will we make the most of those seasons and ask God what we need to learn and what we need to do? How sad it would be to go through these times and learn nothing. None of them stayed in the wilderness forever. Neither will you or I, even though sometimes we may feel like we will. God's plans, greater than ours, cannot be rushed. Although every experience is different, God prepares us in the wilderness to trust Him more deeply and serve Him more faithfully. God did not teach each of these servants the same lesson, but He prepared each one for the work He had uniquely called them to do. God's preparation often feels like waiting, but waiting is not in vain because it serves a purpose. God is molding and making us into the people He would have us become. We thank Him and praise Him for it. Pray with me, Dear Father, In my pain and weakness, in my sin and sorrow, help me to know Your will. Help me to learn what You want me to learn. Give me the strength of the Holy Spirit to take the path You desire for me. Teach me humility. Remind me of Your faithfulness. Don't let this time be wasted by me, but let me be renewed in my love for You and obedience to You. In your Son's name, Amen

What Does it Mean to Be Spiritually Awake or Asleep? A good night's rest is something many of us don't experience. Sleep is necessary and good unless you are in a dangerous situation that requires you to be alert. Bad things happen when we fall asleep on the job. We may not hear alarms going off when we are asleep. In battle, an asleep soldier is a vulnerable soldier. Sometimes we literally fall asleep in church. Some of us look spiritually awake but we are really in a deep sleep. We have lost that sense of urgency about our faith we once had. We fail to see the danger that being asleep can bring. Christians are called to remain spiritually awake because Christ is coming and there is a spiritual battle taking place. As a Christian, are you asleep or awake and what does it really mean? When Scripture talks about sleep in a symbolic way, it often refers to being apathetic about your faith. It implies that there is a lack of knowledge about what you should be doing. Sometimes it is a way to refer to death. The opposite is to be awake. An awake Christian is one who is repentant, spiritually mature, and obedient. Why Do Christians Fall Asleep Spiritually? As Christians, when we become spiritually asleep, it often happens because we have slipped into living like the world. We have become conformers instead of non-conformers. Conformers just want to fit in so life will be easier. We should ask ourselves, "Are we different?" Perhaps it is because religion has become routine to us. It's just something we do because we grew up doing it. Church on Sunday is what your friends do or what your community thinks 'nice' people should do. Routines often become boring to us. Spiritual sleepiness can happen because we have forgotten the importance of prayer. Prayer itself can become a thoughtless routine. We forget that we are speaking to our living and holy God. We forget not just to speak to Him but more importantly to listen. When we don't know God's Word because we have failed to read and study it, we become more vulnerable to 'falling asleep'. We don't hide His Word in our hearts. This is necessary, Scripture says, because when we know His Word, it helps us not to sin against God (Psalm 119:11). What Does Spiritual Wakefulness Look Like? But spiritual wakefulness is more than simply avoiding sin or recognizing danger. A spiritually awake Christian is someone who is actively walking with God. They seek His will through prayer and Scripture, remain sensitive to the Holy Spirit's guidance, and desire to live in a way that reflects Christ. Spiritual awareness allows us to recognize the battle around us and faithfully serve God in the place where He has called us. Paul Reminds Us it Is High Time to Be Awake Romans 13:11-12 Paul tells us, "And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light." What time does Paul say it is? High time! In other words it is urgent. It is long overdue that we wake up. When we miss an alarm going off, we're late for work. Paul recognizes how much work we need to be doing for God. Why does Paul say we need to urgently wake up? Because "our salvation is nearer than when we first believed." The day of the Lord's return and the fulfillment of His kingdom is closer now than the day we first believed. Paul and the other disciples lived expecting the Lord's return. If they believed that 2,000 years ago, how much closer are we now to that day? This is our hope and our expectation. Jesus Himself used this same picture in the Parable of the Ten Virgins in Matthew 25:5. Their bridegroom was delayed and some of them became drowsy and fell asleep. Only those who remained vigilant with oil in their lamps knew when the bridegroom came. It is difficult to be ready, if not impossible, for an important event if you are asleep. Our Lord Himself tells us to be ready in Luke 12:40 because we don't know when He may return. In Mark 13:33 Jesus reminds us to "watch and pray" or as some translations say, "stay alert." Being spiritually awake is more than simply watching. It requires us to prepare ourselves for the work God has given us to do. When you awake, what is the first thing most of us do? We cast off our sleeping clothes and put on the clothes we will work in. Paul says the same. "Cast off the works of darkness" or the sinful ways of your past. Replace them by putting on "the armor of light." This is our battle mode. The light of Christ shining in our lives is our defense against evil. No sleepy soldiers here! The call to stay spiritually awake was not unique to Paul. Spiritual sleep is dangerous because it leaves us vulnerable in a battle that we may not be aware is already taking place. The Enemy Who Seeks Our Destruction We battle a spiritual enemy that is seeking our destruction. For this reason Peter explains in 1 Peter 5:8 that we need to be alert and sober-minded, because the devil seeks to devour us. The devil is aggressively trying to deceive us and cause us to be fearful. He wants to create chaos in our lives. His goal is for us to abandon our faith. He wants us to stay asleep because then we are no threat to him. This is one reason being faithfully involved in your church community is so important. The encouragement of other Christians helps us remain faithful. Sometimes, though, we fail by falling into sin because we have forgotten to put on our armor. In Thessalonians, Paul explains what that armor is. Putting On the Armor of Light Paul repeats this warning in 1 Thessalonians 5:6. We are to watch, stay awake, and be sober, not asleep like others are. Paul continues to warn not to sleep and to stay away from sinful activities which are often done under cover of darkness. But you and I belong to the day. Why? Again, because we are children of light. As children of the light, we are spiritually alert and sober. He continues to tell us we are protected spiritually by "putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation" (1 Thessalonians 5:8). A breastplate is a piece of armor that protects your heart. It is symbolic of protecting your spiritual life. Our faith in God is the foundation of our relationship to Him. Out of that faith proceeds love; love for Him and love for others. A helmet is to protect your head, symbolically your mind. Our hope of salvation is not wishful thinking but joyful expectation of the day we live eternally with our Savior. This is what protects us against the temptations that the devil attacks us with. Jesus gives this same warning to an actual church that had grown spiritually sleepy. In Revelation, the church of Sardis is told to "Be watchful" or "Wake up" and "strengthen what remains" (Revelation 3:2). There is clearly urgency here. They have faith but it is weak and their works are few. Outwardly the church appeared alive, but spiritually it was dying. Does this describe some of our churches today? I think so. Scripture does not warn us to wake up simply to frighten us; there is a blessing for those who remain watchful. The Blessings of Being Watchful John tells us in Revelation 16:15, “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” When He comes He shouldn't find us in our old night clothes, but instead we should be clothed with Christ, ready for the day and the work at hand. Because we don't know when the Lord will return, we should always be awake: waiting, watchful, and prepared. Any of us can experience spiritual drift when we stop remaining spiritually awake. A spiritually awake Christian may still struggle, but they will remain sensitive to God's voice, quick to repent, and willing to follow where He leads. Faithful Servants Who Stay Awake Let us pray that we are armored up and prepared for any battle. Like a good soldier our prayer is to stay alert for danger. Our goal is to stay awake so we can be faithful servants of the God we love. We serve a God who never sleeps (Psalm 121:4). He calls us to do the same.

Understanding Suffering As long as people have been alive, they have questioned, "Why do people have to suffer?" Why can't we live in a world free of any kind of pain—spiritual, emotional, or physical? As Christians we have answers to this that others do not. From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture explains why suffering exists, how God uses it, and what hope believers have in Christ. In this guide we will explore what the Bible teaches about suffering and point you to additional studies that examine these topics in greater depth. The Origin of Suffering The Bible explains that the world was free of suffering and pain until one pivotal moment when a decision was made that turned the world upside down. In one stroke the world went from perfection to death. It went from bliss to agony. Adam and Eve believed Satan's lies and ate of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil (Genesis 3:1-24). From that point on, their relationship with God and His creation was damaged. That moment when they put their desires above God, mankind was doomed. Why Christians suffer is the same reason all of humanity suffers. God knew exactly what humans would choose and had prepared a lamb, slain from before the foundation of the world, as a sin offering (Revelation 13:8). This lamb, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, would enter the world as a human baby, live the life of a sinless man, and die on the cross taking the sins of the world upon Himself. His shed blood provided the way for us to come back to our Father. He took our sins and our punishment on Himself so we could live forever with God. His suffering brought us back into communion as it had been in the beginning. And when He rose from the dead after three days the world knew this was no ordinary man but God incarnate. Although Christ's sacrifice provides the ultimate answer to suffering, Christians still struggle with another question. If God has redeemed us, why does He still allow suffering in our lives today? Does God Have a Purpose in Suffering? When Christians suffer there is a purpose. We may not know exactly why we suffer in this life but we know that "All things work together for good for those that are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). This promise is for Christians, not for those who are in the world. When we suffer we learn to lean on God for all our needs. We learn to give our problems and worries to Him "for My burden is light" he tells us in Matthew 11:30. We learn to listen when we pray, not just beg for help. We learn to obey God because sometimes we suffer as disobedient children who need correction. Suffering brings us an awareness of God's providence. He doesn't just set the world spinning and leave us to our own ends as the Deists believe. He cares for us and sets things in motion to accomplish His will. We can look at the life of Joseph in Genesis as an example. Jealous brothers placed him in slavery, yet he gained a position of influence in his master's house. An attempt to lure him into a sexual relationship by the master's wife ended with him in prison. There he was known as an interpreter of dreams. The Pharaoh heard of him, and after correctly interpreting Pharaoh's dream and saving his country, he is elevated to a position of prominence only second to Pharaoh himself. In this position he was able to save his people from starvation and eventually reunite with his family. Only God could orchestrate such a series of events. In all of this Joseph was faithful. His suffering fulfilled God's plans, not just for him but for his people. And so God has a plan for our suffering, even if we don't realize it. Yet understanding that God has a purpose in suffering still leaves another important question. Does He actually care about the pain we experience? Does God Care When We Suffer? Absolutely, God cares when we suffer. Jesus was a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. When God sent His Son, Paul tells us He suffered as we did. Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus because His friend died and just like us He was deeply grieved by that loss. He suffered betrayal at the hands of Judas who handed Him over to the authorities for money and even His beloved Peter denied even knowing Him. He suffered physically by being beaten and hung on a cross. He suffered mentally when His disciples could not even stay awake for a few hours to pray with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane. Because He knows suffering he can truthfully say "He is near the brokenhearted" (Psalm 34:18) He truly knows your pain. He is there with you and will never abandon you in your hour of need. How Do Christians Find Hope and Peace There are many stories of people who suffer terribly and yet have peace. It is His peace, "Peace I give to you," He tells us (John 14:27). We only have to ask and believe. This peace and hope for a future is anchored in Christ. Through Christ we can abound in hope even when we suffer. As Christians our trust is in God's faithfulness and His love. He is truth. When He says He will never forsake us, we can believe it, because we have seen it in our own lives, the lives of those around us, and the lives of His saints we read about in His Word. Our steadfast faith enables us to endure trials with hope. We understand that suffering in this life may never go away but we know that there will be a future time when there is no sorrow or pain (Revelation 21:4). Jesus has promised us a home with Him for eternity. As an old hymn says, "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness." He is the rock on which we stand. What Can We Learn From Those Who Suffered The Bible leaves us with so many examples of those who suffered. These examples are there for a reason. God knew we would be discouraged. He knew we needed to see that even His greatest servants endured suffering and in doing so can teach us how to "suffer well." Our greatest example besides the suffering of Jesus, is that of Job. Job who was a righteous man endured loss almost beyond comprehension. All of his children were destroyed, his livelihood taken away, and even his health. All he had left was a wife who told him to "Curse God and die" (Job 2:9). But he did not curse God. He questioned God and had to endure his friends who basically told him he must have done something to deserve what happened when he knew he did not. In the end, he was rewarded for his faithfulness, receiving a double portion. We see still other examples: David who fled for his life for years from Saul who wanted to kill him and later in life his own son tried to take the throne from him. We see a man punished by God for his sins, who later becomes known as a "man after God's own heart" (Acts 13:22). In the New Testament we read about Paul who is transformed from a man who hunts Christians down to the greatest missionary who ever lived. In the midst of this he was beaten, jailed and eventually executed for his faith. What we learn from these examples of suffering is faithfulness. We learn to praise God in the midst of our pain. We see that out of their suffering something greater came. We understand that they were and we are role models for the world. Does God Remember the Faithful? When we suffer and are faithful to God He remembers us. This is foretold in Malachi 3:16 God promises to honor and reward those who are faithful to Him in an unfaithful world. The world may seem to receive many rewards, they may seem to suffer little, but the time for his saints to be rewarded will be in eternity. He says so beautifully that he has a "Book of Remembrance" of the good and honorable things done by His beloved people. He promises not to forget us even though we may sometimes feel that he does. We don't look at life like the world does. We know that suffering is not meaningless. It produces fruit and that that fruit will be rewarded, not the fruit of being a good person per se, but the fruit of love for others that flows from us because of our changed hearts. And this is what God promises to remember. How Should Christians Respond? Christians should respond to suffering by praying honestly to God. Share your burdens with Him knowing that He cares deeply for you. Obey Him even though it may be so difficult to show love to someone who is mistreating or persecuting you. Showing that love is how we share Him with the world. Our job is to do good. So no matter what happens our purpose is to reach out to those who hate us with goodness, for by doing this we heap burning coals on their head and you will be rewarded (Proverbs 25:21-22). This is how we overcome evil with good, Paul tells us in Romans 12:21. This kind of grace leaves God to be the judge. It can win a person over to Christ out of sheer disbelief in our ability to give grace as it was given to us. What God expects when we suffer is obedience and love. The End of Suffering Don't forget that your life is just a whisper, only a fleeting thing but eternity is forever. Keep a perspective of joy in the Lord no matter what comes your way. We don't rejoice in the bad things that happen but we have joy knowing that He is always with us and one day we will be with Him. We will be invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb as His beloved bride, the church (Revelation 19:7-9). Our hope is in Beulah Land with Jesus who takes delight in His people and promises to care, protect, and dwell with us forever. Why Does Suffering Exist and Our Hope God allows suffering to exist because sin entered the world, but God has not abandoned us to suffer alone. Through every trial He is working to draw His people closer to Himself, strengthen their faith, and prepare them for eternity. The Bible repeatedly reminds us that suffering is not the end of the story. Jesus entered our suffering, conquered sin and death through the cross and resurrection, and promises a future where pain, sorrow, and death will be no more. Until that day, Christians endure suffering with hope, knowing that God remembers the faithful, walks beside the brokenhearted, and will one day make all things new. Continue Your Study of Suffering If you are struggling with suffering, grief, persecution, or unanswered questions, the articles below explore these topics in greater depth and provide biblical encouragement for difficult seasons of life. https://www.journeywithhope.com/post/why-christians-suffer-hope-beyond-the-pain —What we can learn from suffering https://www.journeywithhope.com/post/god-s-plan-in-suffering —How God used Joseph's hardships to accomplish His purposes. https://www.journeywithhope.com/post/god-cares-about-your-suffering-even-when-people-don-t —Finding comfort in Christ's compassion. https://www.journeywithhope.com/post/abound-in-hope —Discovering hope that endures hardship. https://www.journeywithhope.com/post/steadfast-faith-enduring-trials-with-hope —When we are faithful to God we can endure with hope. https://www.journeywithhope.com/post/job-and-jesus-finding-hope-through-suffering-and-faith —We have role models for suffering. https://www.journeywithhope.com/post/a-book-of-remembrance —When we suffer, God remembers our faithfulness. https://www.journeywithhope.com/post/what-does-god-expect —God expects our obedience and love in the midst of difficult times. https://www.journeywithhope.com/post/covenant-marriage-and-the-hope-of-beulah-land —We can expect to attend the marriage supper of the Lamb and that brings hope.

Man or Woman, You Are Important in the Body of Christ Jesus loves and cares deeply for each of us, whether we are a man or a woman. He has a task for each of us. No part of the body of Christ is more important than another according to Paul (1 Corinthians 12:15-26). We often ask, "What is our purpose?" God uses each of us to glorify Christ and serve His kingdom. The early church included many women who are specifically spoken about in the book of Acts. Each woman had a role to play. Although we are sometimes given few details about them, they were important enough to be named. The book of Acts introduces us to several remarkable women whose faith strengthened the early church. Mary, the Mother of Jesus In Acts chapter one, we read that the disciples gathered together with other believers numbering in total 120. There were men and women present including Mary, the mother of Jesus. An important task was at hand. The replacement for Judas must be decided. This was a matter placed before the entire gathering. Mary was an active participant, as were the other unnamed women present that day, in matters important to the early church. Women Receive the Holy Spirit In Acts 2, Peter addresses the crowd after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and quotes the Old Testament book of Joel in verses 17 and 18. “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy." (NIV) It is not just the sons who will prophesy, not just the men, but it will be the daughters and the women as well. The Spirit of God will be poured out on both men and women. Tabitha's Faithfulness In chapter nine of Acts, Peter travels to the city of Lydda. This city is about 22 miles northwest of Jerusalem and today is called Lod. Near Lydda was the town of Joppa and here there had lived a woman named Tabitha (in Greek she was known as Dorcas). She had died and friends were sent to Peter to ask him to come and revive this woman known for always doing good and helping the poor. When Peter arrived, he found the widows that she had provided clothing for weeping by the side of her body. Peter commanded Tabitha to get up. She opened her eyes and arose from her death bed. Her charity and faithfulness caused those around her to reach out to Peter. When Peter raised her from the dead her faithfulness spread, because this event was crucial to many becoming believers in Joppa. Women Face Persecution Also in chapter nine Paul, who is still known as Saul at this point, was in Damascus looking for both men and women who followed The Way, as the early church was referred to. His intent was to drag them off to prison in Jerusalem. Both men and women risked their lives to follow Christ. Mary, Mother of John We read in Acts 12 how Peter was miraculously freed from prison. When he left, he went to Mary's home where believers were meeting. This Mary was the mother of John (also called Mark). This was the same Mark who wrote the gospel of Mark. Rhoda's Excitement When Peter knocked on the door of Mary's home, and her servant Rhoda answered. She was so excited to see Peter that she shut the door in his face and hurried back to tell everyone that Peter was here. They thought she was crazy until Peter's knocking caused them to open the door and to their amazement find him standing in front of them. Peter relayed his story of his escape from prison and asked them specifically to "tell James and the other brothers and sisters about this." Peter specifically wanted both the brothers and sisters to hear this miraculous story. Lydia's Hospitality Acts 16 tells us about Lydia of Thyatira. Thyatira was a Greek city, now in modern Turkey. Paul had traveled to Philippi (a Roman colony in Macedonia in Biblical times, but today located in Greece.) Paul had had a vision to preach to those in Macedonia. It is believed that this was the first time Paul preached on European soil. While there, he preached to women who had gathered at the river located outside the city gate. Lydia was one of these women. She was a businesswoman, a dealer in purple cloth for which the city of Thyatira was famous. Obviously, she was a woman of some means. God opened her heart and she believed, then she and her whole household were baptized. She persuaded Paul and his companions to stay at her home. Paul's vision to preach to those in Macedonia obviously was Holy Spirit-inspired to reach out to this woman, Lydia, whose heart had been opened by God. Damaris Believed Acts 17 finds Paul preaching in Athens explaining to them that His God was the "unknown god" that they had erected an altar to. The crowd had gathered at the Areopagus where philosophers and thinkers would get together and discuss ideas. After preaching, several believed, and one woman specifically named was Damaris. There has been much speculation as to who Damaris was. Heather Farrell, in her blog "Women in the Scriptures", says this about Damaris, "Despite the debate about who Damaris was, a wife, a mistress, a Greek, a foreigner a philosopher, or just an ordinary woman, the one thing we know for sure about her is that she was a believer. In a city swirling with many different types of religious and intellectual philosophies Damaris heard and recognized the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. She believed." Priscilla Teaches Apollos Finally in Acts 18, Paul went to the home of Priscilla and Aquila in Corinth located west of Athens. Just as Paul was a tentmaker, so were they. Eventually Paul, Priscilla, and Aquila sailed for Syria. Priscilla and Aquilla were left in Ephesus, another town in modern Turkey. Priscilla and Aquila were instrumental in training Apollos (who was from Alexandria in Egypt) about Jesus. Apollos was then a successful missionary to Achaia in Greece where he proved from the scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah. Always mentioned together as Priscilla and Aquila, Priscilla is usually mentioned first which is possibly an indication that she was more influential in her community. Women of Acts Although these women came from different places and backgrounds, together they paint a remarkable picture of God's work in the early church. These women were from all walks of life. Some were wealthy business women, some were servants, some played an important role in early church decisions, some were known for their charity and kindness, some were working class people, some were prophets and some held house church meetings in their home. These women lived all over the Roman world and their faith helped spread the gospel. They risked their lives alongside men to become believers. As Paul says in Galatians 3:28, "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Women have always played a vital role in the church. God views Christian men and women as one in Christ. God uses us all for a purpose. Christianity, more than any religion of the time, gave a voice and a place for women alongside men. These women are role models for us today. They are worthy of study. How will God use you?

Hearing God's Call Have you ever wondered if God is calling you to do something? Many Christians spend years waiting for God to reveal His will, hoping for a sign, an unmistakable feeling, or even an audible voice. But what if Christ has already given every believer the calling they have been waiting for? The question is no longer whether God is speaking. The question is whether we are willing to obey. When we are the obedient, submissive, Spirit-filled children He calls us to be, He won't have to audibly speak to us as He did in the Old Testament to people like Isaiah. He won't need to ask who is willing to do His will. His people will already be willing to obey Him. What does God expect? We know that our purpose on this earth is to love Him and others first and foremost. God has revealed His will for us through His Word. In ancient times, though, it was different. Does God Still Call People Today? In Isaiah we read the prophet's famous words to God, "Here am I. Send me" (Isaiah 6:8). This came after seeing an awe inspiring vision of the holiness of God and hearing the question from Him, "Whom shall I send?" We remember hearing the story of Samuel as a young boy responding to God's audible call in the night (1 Samuel 3:4-10). We have read about Abram (Abraham) being called by God and his answer, "Here I am" (Genesis 22:1). Moses gives the same response when he hears God calling from the burning bush (Exodus 3:4). But what about today? Why don't we hear His voice like the saints of old? Is He calling us to do something? How God Speaks to Believers Today Yes, Jesus calls us today. We don't need to hear His audible voice because the Holy Spirit lives in us as His followers. The Spirit we are promised will show us what is true (John 16:13). The Spirit will give us power to go into the world and tell the world about Jesus (Acts 1:8). The Spirit gives us not just power but also love and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7). Without the Spirit living in us we would not be able to do God's will. God's Will Has Already Been Revealed And what is that will? First God's will is that we repent, trust in Christ as Lord and Savior, and love God and others. His will is for us to pursue holiness. We are to give thanks no matter what happens (1 Thessalonians 5:18). We should do good because God created us in Christ Jesus for good works (Ephesians 2:10). And as Jesus told the disciples, "As the Father has sent Me, I also send you" (John 20:21). God's will has been revealed to us. God no longer waits for us to answer. If Christ has already commanded us to love, forgive, serve, and make disciples, what are we still waiting for? His expectation is that we will be obedient to the commands we have been given. We don't have to wonder about what kind of life God calls us to live. In fact, in Ephesians 5:17 Paul tells us, "Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is." In other translations, instead of "do not be unwise," they say not to be foolish, unthinking, or careless. I don't know about you but I never considered myself to be foolish just because I didn't know God's will. But I believe the issue is that in our minds we make God's will something secret and difficult to know, but it is not supposed to be. When we are filled with God's Spirit and seeking to live as we have been told to, it won't be impossible to discern the will of God. Since God has already revealed His will, then the question is no longer whether He is calling us. The question becomes whether we are willing and equipped to obey that call. God Guides Us Through His Word In Psalm 119:105 we are reminded that God's Word is a "lamp to my feet and a light to my path." If you are truly seeking His will, you will be guided by reading and studying His Word. He doesn't expect you to go through life foolishly stumbling along with no guidance. He has given you His Word so you can know what He asks of you. The author of Hebrews prays that God will "equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen." Have we prayed this prayer? Have we asked to be equipped with everything good? Using Your Gifts to Do God's Will If we have been given a skill or a talent, have we prayed that God would show us how He wants us to use it? I know so many people who have skills the Lord could use but they refuse. Perhaps they are afraid. Maybe they just can't see how God will use them to do His will. So often we limit God. We think our limitations are His, but that is so wrong. Even those who clearly knew God's calling still depended on God's strength and the prayers of other believers. In Ephesians 6:19-20, Paul asks the church at Ephesus to pray for him. Specifically, he asks them to pray that he will be able to go boldly when He tells the world about God. He tells them he is an "ambassador in chains" and he knows that boldness will be required for him to accomplish God's will. Why? Because Paul knows that boldness will bring more chains and eventually death. He knows God's plan for him and he needs the prayers of other believers to help him accomplish it. How often do we ask others to pray for us for strength and the ability to use our gifts and talents to accomplish God's will? As the body of Christ one of our responsibilities is to encourage each other. Life can be hard. Accomplishing what Christ wants us to do can be harder still without the prayers of our fellow believers. How to Know God's Will: Obeying Your Call The days of waiting for a personal call like Isaiah, Moses, or Samuel have given way to a greater calling that belongs to every believer. Now we live our lives as people who are slaves to righteousness, forgiving others as we have been forgiven, loving as we have been loved, and immersing ourselves in His Word so we will be rightly guided by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God doesn't just come upon us for a time as was the way in the Old Testament. Today He lives in us and through us when we are God's children. We grow in obedience and wisdom throughout our lives by listening with a keener ear to the Holy Spirit. He even intercedes for us in prayer when we don't know what to say. With whom have you shared Jesus and His message of forgiveness and life? If the answer is no one, pray for that boldness that Paul himself asked for. Seek to do God's will by living an obedient life. Let's not wait for another call to come to us but obey the one we have already received.

How Much Faith Do You Have? Would Jesus say that you have great faith or little faith? As Christians we all want to have more faith. You would naturally assume that His disciples would have had the most faith of anyone but this was not true. Jesus scolds the disciples several times for having little faith. We read about these examples in Luke 4:14-20 and 12:28 and in Matthew 6:30; 8:26; 14:31; and 16:8. In the examples in Matthew, each one has something to do with not having faith that God will care for us. The disciples didn't have enough faith to believe that God would provide for their basic needs. They didn't have enough faith to believe that Jesus would save them from the storm. Peter didn't have enough faith to believe that if Jesus told him to come to Him on the water that he would be able to do it. They possessed too little faith to believe that Jesus could provide bread for the multitudes even though they had seen Him do this before. Little Faith In spite of the little faith of the disciples Jesus was there for them. He still supplied their needs in spite of their little faith. How often does this happen to us? We worry over our daily needs, we fret over the storms that come our way, both literal and figurative, we are fearful that we can't do something that Jesus has asked us to do and even though we have seen Him be faithful to us countless times we question if He will be there the next time. Great Faith And what of those with great faith? Only twice does Jesus mention the great faith of people, once in Matthew 8:10 and again Matthew 15:28. Both of these were connected to healing. Both of these were non-Jews. One was the Roman centurion and the other the Canaanite woman. Neither of these people probably knew any scriptures, none were trained in the law of Moses, but what they did have was great faith. They knew Jesus was the Son of God and capable of doing anything. More Faith Than Anyone In Israel The Roman centurion is even said to have had faith, according to Jesus, more than anyone in Israel. The centurion was a commander. He knew a leader when he saw one. He knew a leader only had to say the word and the thing would happen. If you read carefully, you will see that the centurion did not ask Jesus to heal his servant. He just presented the situation to Him. By faith the centurion knew that if Jesus wanted to heal his servant, He would do it. Jesus continues in Matthew 8:11-12 to say that many will come into His kingdom from afar. Many will be part of His kingdom that people don't expect. They may not be learned, they may not know all the religious traditions, but what they will have is great faith. Humbly And With Faith When the Canaanite woman comes to Him in Matthew 15, she also does not ask for healing. She presents the situation, but with total faith that if He wants to heal her daughter by ridding her of demon possession, He will do it. He doesn't answer her immediately. She must wait. She pleads for help, kneeling humbly before Him, and her unspoken request is granted. She had to wait, but her faith did not waver. Does waiting make us doubt? Faith Of Others Sometimes it is the great faith of others that makes the difference. In Matthew 9:2, we are told, When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” Notice that Jesus saw "their faith". Not only were the man's sins forgiven but he was healed as well. Thank God for the faith of those who helped bring him to Jesus. Do you have friends who care enough to bring your problems to Jesus with you? There is a power in that. In Luke 5:20, we read another story of a paralyzed man brought to Jesus by his friends. So determined were they to get their friend to Him that they lowered him through the roof of the house down directly in front of Jesus. What does Jesus say? When He saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” Again, Jesus saw "their faith". Once more the man's sins were forgiven and he was healed. Oh how precious to have friends so persistent, so helpful, so dedicated. Jesus Marvels Twice in the New Testament, once in Mark 6:6 and also in Matthew 8:10, the Lord is said to have marveled. To marvel means to be filled with wonder or astonishment. In Mark 6:6, He marveled at the lack of faith in his hometown. Without faith few miracles happened there. In Matthew 8:10, it was the centurion's great faith He marveled at. Would it be possible for us today to astonish Jesus with our faith? He promises that we can be full of faith and power just as Stephen was (Acts 6:8). Great Faith Or Little Faith Faith is a gift from God that comes from hearing His word. Faith reveals who God really is and the deep and powerful message of life that He brings to the world. Great faith is possible. We can ask God to "Help my unbelief" and lack of faith (Mark 9:24). Remember the promises of Christ. Remember God's great faithfulness. Remember He is truly our loving Father.

Why God's Word Is Our Greatest Weapon Why don't Christians read and study the Bible? As Christians, we know the Bible is our instruction manual for life. It is our loving guide. We intend to read it, but life slowly crowds it out. Over time, good intentions turn into spiritual drift. Our reasons are many. When we really think about them, some are honestly just excuses. Scripture repeatedly tells us the importance of hiding "God's Word in our heart that we may not sin against you" (Psalm 119:11). Jesus famously quoted scripture to the devil when he was being tempted in the desert. It may be hard to admit but Satan encourages our excuses. When Paul discusses our spiritual armor to defeat evil, the only offensive weapon he mentions is the "sword of the spirit" which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17). If our spiritual sword is our only offensive weapon and we refuse to use it, what hope do we have in our spiritual battle against Satan. The Biggest Excuse: “I Don’t Have Enough Time” for Bible Study The most common reason people give for not studying is "I don't have enough time." We live in a busy, hurried world. We balance work, family, and social activities. We find time for what we think is really important. Sadly, social media takes up vast amounts of time for many of us. The average American today spends over 2 hours a day on social media. Sports and video games are similar distractions for many people. Sometimes the obstacle isn't unwillingness but simple exhaustion. Even then, a few minutes spent in God's Word can strengthen us more than we expect. How to Make Time for God’s Word in a Busy World Why can't we incorporate God's Word into what we already do. Before we leave for work or begin our day, whether by yourself or with your family, take a few minutes to read a small portion of God's Word. If you're with others, spend a couple of minutes talking about what it means. If you are alone, meditate on what you have read. “The Bible Is Too Hard to Understand” – Practical Solutions "It's too hard to understand." If you don't understand it, take a few minutes out of your time spent on distractions and read some good online commentaries that can explain it to you. Beware of AI overviews. They may be biased and sometimes incorrect. Be sure to check where your information is coming from. And when you read, read Scripture in context. Try not to read just one verse. Often when we read scripture out of context it becomes easy to misunderstand. Most Bibles have headings which will help you read the verses that pertain to each other. The translation may use words that we have heard many times but really never fully understood: words like atonement, covenant, or propitiation. Bible dictionaries, online or bound, can help tremendously when we are reading difficult texts. Why the Bible Still Matters Today – Finding Personal Relevance "What does this have to do with me today?" One way we know that God's hand is in His Word is that stories from thousands of years ago are still able to speak to us. I firmly believe that the more we pray for the Holy Spirit to guide us while we study, the more we will be able to understand. God's desire is not so much that we become Bible scholars but that we are obedient to what we read. Our heart is what needs to be changed by the work of the Holy Spirit. That heart change was needed long ago and is needed now. Human beings are not much different today from ages past. They dealt with many of the same temptations, the same family dynamics, and the same doubts and fears. Another thing I believe to be true is that if we slow down and read carefully we may be surprised by how the Bible speaks to us. Many people who have read the Bible their entire lives recognize that the same passage at different times in their lives speaks differently to them. It's sort of like watching a movie that you loved at twenty and seeing it again at sixty. It often doesn't say the same thing to us. It's easy to fall into the trap of, "I've heard that story a hundred times." We don't really listen anymore or read carefully. We overlook that turn of phrase that we may not be familiar with. We assume we truly understand it. We can trust the whole Bible to speak to us. But do we really know the characters in our Bible stories? Do we understand, to the extent possible, what their lives were like? Things happened to them that shaped them into who they are. How did their relationship to God change over their life? The more carefully we observe the people and circumstances in Scripture, the more clearly we see ourselves and God's work in our own lives. When the Bible Makes You Uncomfortable: Conviction and Transformation I often hear people say that, "The Bible makes me uncomfortable. How can anyone be as good as it says we are supposed to be?" First, we have to know that our goodness is not what saves us, only Jesus can do that. Even the most righteous Christians will still, on occasion, fail and sin. The Bible makes us feel uncomfortable because it asks us to repent. It asks us to turn from sin and become a new person. The Holy Spirit speaks to us and convicts us of our sin. Conviction is never God's final goal. His goal is transformation. Our life, as Christians, is a life of growth in our faith and in the Fruits of the Spirit. We grow in love, faith, patience, kindness, and all of the other evidences of our transformation by God's Spirit. Yes the Bible may make you uncomfortable, but it will also remind you of God's faithfulness to you. It will remind you of His love for you. God knows us and God sees us, and this brings us hope and joy. As we grow closer to God, we will naturally want to try to know more about who He is. Digging deeper into His Word helps us do that. Understanding these excuses is only part of the issue. Many people also struggle because the Bible feels unfamiliar in its setting and in the way it is put together. We can turn reading into real study as we understand this. Why Don't Christians Read the Bible? Understanding Real People One of the reasons people struggle to understand Scripture is that they forget it happened in real places among real people. Learning a little geography and history can make passages come alive in surprising ways. A little historical background can turn what once seemed confusing into something clear, making Bible study far less frustrating. As a self-confessed geography nerd, I believe knowing where people lived is important to our understanding. Were they close to the ocean, in a desert, or among massive forests of cedar trees? What was their culture like? Some knowledge of history helps us as well. When I first started reading the Bible, I remember being so confused by the terms Israel and Judah. I didn't know that after King Solomon died Israel split into two kingdoms: the kingdom of Israel in the North with its capital in Samaria and Judah in the South with its capital in Jerusalem. The ten tribes, often called the Lost Tribes, were in the North while the South was made up of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. Jesus was prophesied to come from the tribe of Judah. Understanding Different Bible Genres Makes Study Easier When we study the Bible, it is also important to remember that it is made up of different types or genres of literature. We read and understand these types of literature differently. We already do this in everyday life. We don't read a poem the same way we read an encyclopedia or newspaper article. Realizing these differences helps remove one of the most common reasons people avoid studying the Bible: the fear that they won't understand it. Let me briefly summarize them. Narratives like Genesis develop the characters and stories of people. Books of the Law discuss covenants and specific rules of religious behavior. The book of Proverbs is an example of Wisdom literature. It provides short statements that help us know how to make good decisions and act wisely. Each type of writing serves a different purpose in how God communicates with His people. Poetic books like the Psalms are songs to God for His praise and worship. Prophetic literature, such as Micah or Zechariah, announce future judgment and hope to the people. The New Testament continues this same variety of writing, but with a focus on Christ and the early church. In the Gospels we have accounts of Jesus' life from the different perspectives of the writers. Here it is especially important to pay attention to the audience. Who is being spoken to? The epistles are letters written by the apostles to specific people for very specific reasons. These books are better read as a whole so we can understand the entire argument that is being put forward. To really understand them we need to keep in mind what these words would have meant to their original audience and then how we can apply them today. Apocalyptic literature, like that found in Revelation, and in portions of Daniel and Ezekiel, is literally an "unveiling" of future events. It contains much symbolic and artistic imagery. Overcoming Obstacles: Be Diligent and Keep Your Sword Sharp Whatever reason we have had to avoid Bible study in the past, whether lack of time, discouragement, fear of misunderstanding, or simple familiarity, we should ask God to help us overcome those obstacles. We are to be diligent and to present ourselves as "a worker who is not ashamed" (2 Timothy 2:15). We may be rightly exhausted as we go about our daily lives but diligence requires effort and that is what we are called to. Imagine life 2,000 years ago without all of our modern conveniences. Imagine how difficult the labor must have been. Yet Jesus and the apostles speak to us, as does the Old Testament, about the importance of Bible study. Why don't Christians read the Bible? Certainly as we approach the return of the Lord, the battle we face will grow more difficult. We need to keep our sword sharpened and ready to face what may come. We keep our sword sharp not simply because we expect a battle, but because through God's Word we come to know the One who loves us, redeemed us, and has promised never to leave us. The hope we find in God's Word is what we are to share with a hopeless world. Helpful Bible Study Resources: BibleGateway BibleRef GotQuestions BibleHub

When Life Forces Difficult Decisions When you make plans, do they include God? In difficult situations, do you find yourself making a quick decision just to give yourself a direction? Making a decision in difficult times is hard and waiting on God is often harder. Some of life's hardest decisions come during our greatest losses. How do we deal with loss? A loved one dies, a spouse leaves, a job ends, what is our go-to response in these situations? We often have a close friend that we confide our problems to. Maybe we don't even really want advice, just a listening ear. Maybe it is difficult for us to listen to others, especially God. Do we remember to seek His will? How do we deal with the consequences of our actions when we have made bad decisions? Do we face them head-on or do whatever possible to avoid them? Most people find it hard just to admit they have done anything wrong. And the consequences, well, most of us run from those. The lies we've told that have caught up with us, the prideful attitudes that we have to answer for, so many of us try to look the other way and avoid the shame and guilt of admitting our decisions were failures. We aren't always the people we want to be. In Isaiah we find out that Israel was not always the people they wanted to be either. Israel Sought Help Instead of God's Will In Isaiah 30, the sinful nation of Israel is under threat from the Assyrians. They sought answers but like most of us, in the wrong places. They weren't close to God. They weren't faithful to Him, so when this threat loomed they sought help, not from God but from Egypt. In their fear, they saw Egypt as a source of protection instead of fleeing to the One who had always watched out for them. Israel looked to Egypt instead of seeking God's will. They should have had faith to trust God. But you see, they didn't reach out to God because they believed God was doing nothing. In their unfaithfulness they weren't spending time with Him, honoring Him, loving Him, or worshipping Him. Like an unfaithful spouse who thinks their partner is never there for them, mainly because they are finding pleasure in someone else's company, they had abandoned God. Why Israel Refused to Listen Israel had "devised plans, but not of My Spirit." They took counsel, "but not of Me," God tells them. God calls them "lying children." Indeed they were acting like children. They were like children who were afraid of the dark, even though their parents had reassured them over and over. Hadn't God always been there for them? All they had to do was ask and wait. These "children" told the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us right things; Speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceits." They only wanted God's prophets to tell them what they wanted to hear. They wanted to hear lies that would comfort them. Things to calm their souls that would not require change. So often when we face decisions, it means change, and often uncomfortable change. Later, in the New Testament, we receive a warning that people will act similarly in the end times. They will desire to hear only what their "itching ears" want to hear (2 Timothy 4:3-4). Anytime we seek comfort over truth, trouble follows. Returning to God Brings Rest and Confidence In Isaiah 30:15 the Lord tells His people, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” When we rest in God, we trust in His providence. We rely on Him. Doesn't the strength of quietness and confidence sound wonderful? Instead of casting about in chaos looking for answers here or there, unsure of what we should do, we can find rest in God knowing He is our strength. God is not a God of chaos. When we repent and return to Him, then we turn away from a failing self-reliance that does not seek His will. Rest and quiet confidence describe the heart attitude we need to discern God's will when we seek Him in difficult times. Why We Resist God's Will But then God tells Israel, "But you would not." Those words make me sad. I remember times in my own life when I "would not." And there was eventually a deep regret. Why wouldn't I? Because I thought I knew what was right for me. "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." Proverbs 14:12 And Proverbs 19:21 reminds us, "There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand." You can make plans, but just don't forget God in the midst of them. When things change and plans fall through, trust that if you have prayed and relied on God more than yourself, then that change is for the good. Waiting on God Leads to Blessing God seeks to show His children goodness and compassion, just as He showed Israel time and time again (Isaiah 30:18). He is above all a loving Father. When we say, "I will not" like a stubborn child, He will be patient for a time, but then discipline comes. Don't be surprised if it hurts. Not because God is cruel but because He wants us to see that our poor decisions have consequences. In this same verse God promises us something. He says we will be blessed when we wait for Him. Waiting can be so hard, but it serves a purpose in God's plan. When we wait and finally receive an answer, then we can look back and see God at work because God's plans are greater than we can imagine. The Teacher Who Shows Us the Way God talks about His children enduring "The bread of adversity and the water of affliction," (Isaiah 30:20). For a time we may experience the discipline of God for our actions. In Isaiah, Israel's troubles were the result of decisions made without God. God promises to hear our cries and answer us. God tells Israel, their Teacher won't hide from them any longer, they will see Him with their own eyes. They will hear, "This is the way, walk in it." Many scholars believe this is a foreshadowing of Jesus our great Teacher who showed us our way back to God through His cross and resurrection. Through His Holy Spirit, God continues to guide us as we submit ourselves to His Word. Are you listening? He will faithfully show us the way we are to walk, even though we may have to wait for His guidance. We need to train ourselves spiritually to trust Him. How do we do this? How to Seek God's Will Every Day We trust God's will for us by studying His Word, by listening to Him in prayer, by praising the ways He has always been there for us in the past, and by hearing believers' stories of God's faithfulness. We live a life of sacrifice, dying to self, so that we can truly live with Him. Of the things we have held up as idols before God, "You will say to them, “Get away!” (Isaiah 30:22). Idols interfere with seeking God's plan for us. When we live in God's will, we will not want to do anything that hurts our walk with God. If only in my own life I had said that sooner! And then God promises blessings. The spiritual life you wanted, but always seemed to struggle to achieve, the blessings that always seemed out of reach for you, God will provide. He doesn't make us rich, nor does He promise a life without suffering, but spiritually we will have a peace and joy that surpasses our understanding. He gives Israel and us a "song" and "gladness of heart" (Isaiah 30:29). Trust God to Fight Your Battles For the Israelites in Isaiah 30, God promises the annihilation of their enemy Assyria. We see this fulfilled in 2 Kings 19:35-37. God's will was done. What enemies do we need God to destroy? Could it be addiction, sorrow, or pain? Seeking God's will, we should first examine ourselves. What sins seek to destroy us, and what bad decisions do we need to lay at the feet of Jesus? Then let us cry out to Him, "Show me the way, so I can walk in it."

What Is Being Biblically Sober-Minded? I remember when I was young being ridiculed at parties for not drinking or smoking marijuana. I actually had someone say one time, "How do you have fun?" I told them that I enjoyed watching people, I liked being with them, while being fully aware of my surroundings. I didn't like to be out of control. I preferred being sober-minded. Scripture has many references to being sober-minded. Back in my youth I thought that just meant, don't get drunk or high, but after studying I know now that it has a much deeper meaning. When we are Biblically sober-minded it is not merely avoiding drunkenness. It is living with spiritual alertness, self-control, and a clear focus on Christ. It means we should exercise wisdom and self-control in our speech, avoid foolishness, crude joking, and anything that distracts us from godly living. As Christ focused people, we are better able to remain faithful to Christ and recognize temptation before it gains a foothold. When we are not, temptation may be harder to resist. Today, many people are not drunk on alcohol, but they are intoxicated by distraction. Hours slip away in scrolling social media, watching endless videos, following arguments online, or filling their mind with constant entertainment. None of these things are necessarily sinful in themselves, but when they begin to dominate our attention, they crowd out prayer, Bible study, service, and quiet reflection on God’s will. A sober-minded Christian will regularly ask whether what is filling their mind is drawing them closer to Christ or slowly pulling them away from Him. Why Is It Necessary for a Christian to Live Soberly? The importance of being sober minded for a Christian is explained in Titus 2:11-14 where we are told that God's grace has taught us to "live soberly, righteously, and godly." Why? Because we are awaiting the coming of our Lord who died to "redeem us from every lawless deed" and purify us to be "zealous for good work." It's hard to live for Christ and do good when we are busying ourselves with trivial things or so under the influence that we can't walk in a straight line. A zealous Christian is passionate about his or her commitment to God. For them it is the most important thing in life. Everything becomes filtered through the lens of "What does God want me to do?", "How can I serve God better?", and "What do I need to learn to become more like Christ in my life?" It is the opposite of someone who is not sober-minded. As we learn to put Christ before our own desires and die to self daily, we become more spiritually alert and focused on what truly matters. The call to a self-controlled spiritual life is not only personal. It also applies to the life of the church. This call to sober-minded living naturally raises a common question: Does choosing a self-controlled, Christ-focused life mean Christians can never have fun? Can A Christian Still Have Fun? A spiritually focused Christian is not someone who cannot have fun. Instead, when we have fun, we remain thoughtful, self-controlled, and spiritually aware. When we focus more on learning about our faith, prayer, and doing good for others out of love, we won't have a lot of time for unimportant, pointless distractions and constant amusements. Many people think a sober-minded life sounds boring. They assume that self-control takes the fun out of life when in reality it often keeps us from making some of our worst mistakes. This same principle applies not only to our personal lives but also to the life of the church. One of the most enjoyable things I do is serve at my church’s food bank. Laughing and talking with other believers while preparing food sacks and chatting with families in need brings real joy, the kind that lasts longer than entertainment. Serving others in Jesus’ name reminds me that the most satisfying fun often flows from love and purpose. Today, are our churches too focused on fun and not enough on serious Bible study? Are we more interested in fellowship than in prayer and good works? Nothing is wrong with fun or fellowship, but they need to be balanced by sober minded growth in Christ. When this balance is missing, the consequences can be significant. The Consequences Of A Lack Of Soberness Some people avoid good judgment by staying in an altered state—whether through alcohol, drugs, or constant entertainment—so they don’t have to confront their relationship with God or personal problems. Ephesians 5:18 warns that drunkenness leads to dissipation (debauchery, excess, reckless living). A lack of sober-mindedness quickly opens the door to greater sin: drunkenness can lead to sexual immorality, crude joking or gossip can damage relationships, and uncontrolled anger can escalate into words or actions we deeply regret. This loss of self-control also shows itself in more subtle ways. Uncontrolled worry can weaken faith, causing us to make fear-based decisions instead of trusting God’s promises. When our minds are not clear and Christ-focused, sin begins to look less serious, temptation feels more like harmless fun, and we forget that every decision carries consequences. These real dangers are exactly why Scripture repeatedly calls every believer to sober-mindedness and self-control. God's Word Speaks of the Importance of Being Sober-Minded Scripture advises all of us to be sober-minded: young men, old men, women, and especially our church leaders. If you think about what was going on when the book of Titus was written you can appreciate its importance more. The church was young and growing. It was facing persecution, serious persecution. What would it look like to non-Christians if that young church had acted like the world? What if that young church was too busy having fun and partying to do good in the community it lived in? Notice how often the New Testament discusses the importance of this. Whether speaking to older men, younger men, church leaders, or the church as a whole, believers are repeatedly called to be sober-minded and self-controlled. 1 Peter 4:7 reminds us of another reason that it is important, "for the sake of your prayers." Titus 2:2 says older men should be sober minded and in Titus 2:6 we are reminded that young men, especially should be self-controlled. 1 Thessalonians 5:6 tells us to "keep awake and be sober," referring to our spiritual lives. 2 Timothy 3:1-7 says that in the last days men will be, among other things, without self-control. In Galatians 5:22-23 Paul lists the fruit of the Spirit. Self-control is one of them. It is the product of a life lived for Christ. It is not something we manufacture through self determination alone. It is a gift given to us by the Holy Spirit, giving us strength we don't have on our own to govern how we act and react to the world. We must rely on God. The writers of the New Testament were very aware of the temptations common to people. People are the same today as they were then. When we are in control of our minds, we can think properly and make much more thoughtful decisions about what we will do or say. We can be a better Christian witness. Be Sober, Be Vigilant 1 Peter 5:8 warns, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." It is worth remembering who wrote those words. Peter knew what it meant to let his guard down. He was so sure of himself that he declared he would never deny Jesus, yet before the night was over he had denied Him three times. Peter learned the hard way that good intentions are not enough. We need to stay watchful, humble, and dependent on God because temptation often comes when we least expect it. It's difficult to be vigilant when we aren't able to focus on the important things of our faith. Often all it takes is one single moment of carelessness to cause a lifetime of pain for someone. Whether we are drinking and driving or hurting someone with our careless words who afterwards takes their life, the consequences of sin can be enormous. So when we go about our lives, remember that roaring lion is out there just waiting for us to make a mistake. We do not fight him alone. The Holy Spirit is with us to guide us and empower us to be the self-controlled believer we are called to be. The biblically sober-minded Christian is one who is "sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness" (Titus 2:2). Do those words describe you today? What do you need to change to make them yours?

Suffering Entered the World Through Sin All of us suffer in our lives, some unimaginably, others in more mundane ways, but loss and grief come to everyone. In the Christian faith, suffering is viewed very differently than most other religions. As Christians our suffering is never alone because God is with us in it. Because Christ suffered, those who belong to Him should not be surprised when they suffer as well. Our task here is to love and care for those who suffer. But why must people suffer at all? Why Christians and non-Christians alike suffer is the same reason, for the most part, but our response is very different. Sin brought suffering into an otherwise perfect world. The world of Adam and Eve was a good world. God was their companion. But then when Adam and Eve fell to temptation, everything changed. Suffering came into the world through sin, and it would be through Christ's suffering that God would one day provide the way to overcome sin and death. Sacrifice would be the solution. We first read about animal sacrifice in Genesis 4:4. Abel, the brother Cain murdered, offered a sacrifice of the firstborn of his flock to God. We have to wait until Leviticus 17:11 to learn that the blood of the offering brought atonement for sin. This showed the people that sin was serious business. But animal sacrifices could never fully pay the price for sin. It would require more, not only would sin bring death to the world, but death would be required to save us from it. This all pointed towards the ultimate payment for sin, Jesus' death on the cross. Hebrews 9:22 tells us, "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins." Christ's Victory Over Sin and Suffering Jesus' death and resurrection were the ultimate defeat of sin and Satan. Although he is still active in the world, the Devil's fate was sealed that day on Calvary. Now we can accept Jesus and live forever with Him. But while Satan can, he tries to convince as many people as possible that God doesn't really care for them. Why Christians Suffer Satan delights in causing sorrow and pain because he is a liar who wants to make people doubt that God loves them. But Christians know they have hope when they suffer. God doesn't stop loving us, ever. Suffering is not purposeless. Suffering causes us to rely on God, not ourselves. Suffering teaches us patience and humility. It helps us to grow in holiness and love. In the midst of it, we can know that God is our source of peace and nothing in this world can take that from us. As Christians we may never know until eternity the reason why we suffered, but we know there is a plan in it. We don't see the bigger picture of life that God sees. When terrible things happen, God can work good from them. Not that the thing that happened was good, no, but if we love and serve Him, He can produce good from that sorrowful moment (Romans 8:28). Everyone suffers because sin entered the world, but Christians know that God can use suffering to draw us closer to Him and prepare us for eternity. When a Christian suffers, it unites us with Christ's suffering. He was betrayed, he was grieved by loss, and he was tormented physically and spiritually. In this way we can be like Him; experiencing similar emotions and learning to accept them as He did. When we suffer for our sin, it can bring us to repentance and forgiveness, but when a non-Christian suffers it may cause them to feel shame and guilt, with no way out. Many non-believers, will even blame the God they won't accept for their pain. Others will see suffering as proof that no loving God could possibly exist that would allow this kind of pain to be in the world. They do not accept that suffering entered the world through humanity's rebellion against God. Instead, many see suffering as evidence against God's goodness rather than as the consequence of sin. Even Christians begin to have their doubts sometimes about the purpose of suffering when they see evil people being blessed. God's Promise to the Faithful A Christian may look at those in the world and see them being favored, treated with honor, and seemingly living the good life and they wonder, "Why, should I try to do good when the evil people seem to be rewarded and I suffer?" God's people asked this very question in the days of the Old Testament prophet, Malachi. This was God's response, "Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name. “They shall be Mine,” says the Lord of hosts, “On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.” Malachi 3:16-17 For those faithful ones who fear Him and think on Him he has a Book of Remembrance written for them and they will be spared. This blessing will not be given to the world, only to those who know and serve Him. We may suffer more than non-believers but in the next life their suffering will be eternal. Suffering for Discipline, Righteousness, and the Gospel As believers we suffer in ways the lost never will. We suffer at times because God is correcting us as a loving Father does to His children. Sometimes we suffer for the sake of righteousness. And sometimes our suffering is required until His gospel reaches every nation that should hear it (Colossians 1:24, Revelation 6:11). Suffering however, must go hand in hand with love. Love Gives Suffering Its Purpose As 1 Corinthians 13:3 reminds us, even if we die for Him, if we do it without love in our hearts for others it is for nothing. Our suffering offers us nothing spiritually if we do not love. If we die for Christ while cursing the ones who kill us, then it is all in vain. Even in the smaller pains and losses we experience, if we don't have true love in our hearts then it is also for nothing. We have to be careful to think about our motives and our desires when we suffer loss. God's plan in suffering for us is that we should seek God's will and not our own, just as Jesus did. Will your suffering bring hope to someone else? Will they see Jesus in this path of pain that you must walk? Do they see a faithful follower of Jesus who stands with Christ in life and in death? Learning to Trust Christ in Suffering When I was diagnosed with Stage III cancer, I did not know what the future held. Like many people facing serious illness, I had questions and fears. Yet throughout that season I learned that my hope could not rest in a doctor's report or a treatment plan. It had to rest in Christ and in the peace He gave me. Looking back now, nearly a decade later, I can see how God used that trial to deepen my faith and teach me to trust Him in ways I never would have learned otherwise. As we grow closer to Jesus' return, that faith and trust becomes even more important. Looking Beyond Present Suffering So many people are convinced of the Lord's imminent return. Have they thought about what that might mean for their future? As His people we need to be ready to face a hostile world who will blame us for all the terrible woes that will come upon it. They will seek to destroy us and then whom will we stand with? Even today in parts of the world hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Christians are paying the ultimate price for their faith. They know Jesus did not promise them worldly peace and safety. They are showing many of us what real love can endure. In our hearts, when we think about the cross, remember Jesus' great sacrifice. “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us," (2 Corinthians 5:21). On that day, no one has ever endured suffering like the sinless Son of God bearing the sins of the world. Whatever suffering awaits us, we know that because of His endurance of the cross and His resurrection He has set us free from sin. Jesus has given us a home where there will be no more sorrow and no more pain. Praise be to God.