Psalm 119:71
It is good for me that I was afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes.
Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.
Hebrews 5:8
and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. • For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Romans 8:17,18
“But He knows the way I take; When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold. • “My foot has held fast to His path; I have kept His way and not turned aside.
Job 23:10,11
“You shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. • “Thus you are to know in your heart that the LORD your God was disciplining you just as a man disciplines his son. • “Therefore, you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him
Deuteronomy 8:2,5,6
Pondering Questions
Why do seemingly bad things happen to seemingly good people?
Why does God allow evil to exist in this world?
When is God allow suffering and perhaps even cause it?
My Pondering Answers
- God works in mysterious ways. Sometimes seemingly bad things turn out for our good.
- The main person in life is not us, but rather God. Sometimes suffering and travails, bring glory to God and show His might and give other people hope as people persevere, endure and overcome trials. This points to God’s glory, especially when only He can do it, and He is the answer. He is the Hero.
- Sometimes it’s self inflicted when we ignore, disobey and forget God’s commands by doing our own thing apart from Him as a result in abusing our free will. Sin brings on and amplifies suffering.
- Hardships also give us a different perspective and may help us to fully comprehend and understand the goodness of God. Where if everything was easy and smooth, we would take a lot for granted, perhaps ignoring and disrespecting God.