Introduction:
Over the summer, Free Grace Women asked our readers to contribute their answers to common questions and concerns about the Bible. So far, we have addressed a few questions and objections to Free Grace theology. This week we turn our attention to a common issue for all believers; suffering.
Prompt Four:
We gave our readers the following prompt:
“What are your go-to Bible passages when you or a friend are suffering? Why are those your favorite passages?”
God is Our Strength in Suffering
S.A. shared a verse from David that highlights God’s presence and help:
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1 (NKJV)
“I love this verse plus the whole chapter. God didn’t just help me in the past or in the future, He is a present help, right now at this very moment when I need Him!”
What a comfort it is to know that God is always present to help us. Hebrews 2:17-18 tells us that Jesus was made like us and suffered as we suffer so that He could become an understanding, merciful, and faithful High Priest Who is always available to come to our aid.
S.A. also shared 2 Timothy 1:7 “ For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (NKJV)
“When I am suffering, I become anxious! This verse reminds me that my anxiety is not from God. The Greek word for sound mind means self-disciplined, self-controlled. We only have power, love and self-control through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.”
Suffering has a Purpose
K.E. shared a verse from Job. Job certainly understood suffering, and he understood that suffering can produce growth and fruit.
“But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10 (NKJV)
“It helps to remember that God uses trials to grow and shape us for His divine purposes!”
K.E. also shared:
“For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us…” 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 (NKJV)
“Great reminder to rely on the One who is ‘mighty to save!’”
God Hears Us During Suffering
A.H. shared another verse from David that reminds us that God hears us when we call out to Him:
“I love the Lord because He hears my voice and my supplications.” Psalm 116:1 (NASB1995)
David suffered through rejection, loneliness, betrayal, and the death of loved ones. He reminded himself again and again that God is not far off and He hears our cries.
A.H. also shared a verse from 2 Corinthians:
“But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us…” 2 Corinthians 7:6 (NASB1995)
This is another reminder from 2 Corinthians about the comfort that Paul and his companions experienced. God comforted them both with the coming of their friend, and with good news of the Corinthians. Because God comforted them, they were able to comfort others in the midst of their trials.
The End of Suffering
We can find much encouragement and comfort within the Scriptures which speaks to the loving and caring heart of our God.
Paul tells us to comfort each other with these words:
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (NKJV)
We must always remind ourselves and others of our glorious future with the Lord. Suffering will have its end and eternity will be full of joy, celebration, and fulfillment.
“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4 (NKJV)
References and Responses: Part 1: License to Sin?
References and Responses: Part 2: What Does the Bible Teach About Rewards?
Free Grace Women 
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