In this chapter, Dr. Stanley talks about how God uses
adversity to bring us closer in our relationship to him. He begins the chapter by using the example of
Moses and the various pressures he must have faced. He also uses some personal experiences to
illustrate his point.
In the next
part of the chapter, he discusses some of the reasons we suffer. Suffering can be the result of sin in our
lives. Dr. Stanley quotes some of the
writings of Paul to illustrate this point.
Not only can sin cause suffering, he reminds us that it also robs us of
the rewards that God has for us.
God may
allow suffering as a form of discipline.
He uses scripture from Hebrews to illustrate this point. He points out that we may suffer persecution
as a result of our faith in Jesus Christ.
He also writes about us suffering when we violate good health
principles, God using suffering to gain our attention and draw us closer to
Himself, God using suffering to develop our personal righteousness and
maturity, God allowing suffering as a way to prune us for his service, teaching
us obedience, allowing us to suffer to teach us to trust in Him, depend on his
grace and goodness, purifying us, teaching us gratitude, teaching us how to
persevere, enabling us to share in the sufferings of Jesus Christ, and to broaden
our ministry efforts.
In each of
the above cases, Dr. Stanley explains how suffering is used for each of these
purposes, giving examples each time. As
you read through each of these examples of how God uses suffering, you come to
understand more about God’s ways. God
does not cause suffering, but He may well allow us to go through sufferings.
Dr. Stanley
closes this chapter by talking about how God restores our Hope. Has God allowed you to go through
sufferings? Did you stop to determine
the reason God was allowing you to go through these sufferings?
Come back
next time as we go to Chapter Nine – Forgiven.
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