A Theology of Suffering Senior Pastor Alex Kennedy There are many different faces of suffering: The Suffering of Betrayal The Suffering of Loss The Suffering of Physical Pain and/or Sickness The Suffering of Persecution for our Faith The Bible has a lot to say about suffering. Plan on It. Expect It. 1 Peter 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:12; Phil 1:29-30 Phil 2:7-8 and Is 53:3 reminds us that Jesus was abandoned, denied, and betrayed by all the people He had poured His life into, and on the cross He was forsaken even by His Father. The suffering of Jesus and the victory of Jesus always go together. Jesus’ victory came through His suffering. The glory of the resurrection came through the shame of His cross. We should not thing suffering is strange. It will happen. Our Suffering Has Purpose 1 Peter 4:13-16; Heb 12:2; Matt 5:11 Jesus is coming back, and Peter says that if we rejoice in our suffering now, then on that future day, when we see Jesus, we will “rejoice and be glad,” which means there will be more joy. It’s our future with Jesus that makes the difference, and that’s what our present suffering points to. The trials we experience today verifies to us that we are on the path to sharing in His glory. Part of our purpose in suffering is to comfort others with the comfort we have been comforted with. Once we have experienced suffering, we can come alongside others that are experiencing a similar journey. Our Suffering is Temporary 1 Peter 1:6; 1 Peter 5:10 Our life is like a breath in eternity. Although it seems like an eternity when we are in the middle of our suffering, it is good to be reminded that it will pass, either in this life or when we pass from this life. He will “restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” Run to Him not Away From Him 1 Peter 4:19; Psalm 34:18 God is always great and He is always good. Sometimes, in the middle of suffering, we can forget His goodness and His greatness. Suffering can distort our perspective, but that doesn’t mean that He has changed. God is still good and great. Questions to Consider: When is a time in your life that you have experienced suffering? How have you seen God at work in your life through seasons of suffering? When have you been able to come alongside someone else because of a suffering experience that you have had? How can you prepare to run to God instead of away from Him the next time you go through a season of suffering?