Ephesians 6:10 - "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.
Many people have asked the question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?. The simple answer is, “There are no good people.”
Psalm 14:3b says, "There is no one who does good, not even one." As Christians, we think that we should get some kind of break, since our sins are forgiven, and we are trying to live according to God’s Word.
Here are some verses to consider, as we ponder these questions:
John Walvoord’s Reasons for Suffering for Christians
I Cor 11:31-32 - But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world. Unconfessed sin can cause us to be judged by God and may cause suffering.
Rom 5:3-5 - And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. God wants us to grow spiritually and may allow suffering for us to learn to trust Him.
II Cor 12:7-9 - Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
God wants us to worship Him, not ourselves! He may send us suffering to teach humility.
Phil 1:12-14 - Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.
God may send suffering to increase the effectiveness of our Christian testimony.
I Peter 2:24 - …and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness;