GOD AND SUFFERING

[Jerry1023]

Can God purposely allow someone to suffer,

in other to test the person?

[kwikphilly]

Blessings Jerry

    I believe God does "allow" suffering,,,,,,,,,I could not begin to know the reasons God allows the things He does and I would imagine that there are different reasons for different people but one thing is for sure........everything He does allow in our lives(those that love Him) is for our good and the purpose of His calling

 

 

King James Bible
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose Romans 8:28

                                                                                      With love-in Christ,Kwik

[Hall7]

Romans 5

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

[Hall7]

Can God purposely allow someone to suffer,

in other to test the person?

In addition to the other post...

Yes He can if He has to in certain circumstances:

Job 1

1 In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. 2 He had seven sons and three daughters, 3 and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East.

4 His sons used to hold feasts in their homes on their birthdays, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5 When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for them to be purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular custom.

6 One day the angels[a] came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. 7 The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?”

Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.”

8 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”

9 “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. 10 “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. 11 But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”

12 The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.”

Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

13 One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, 14 a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, 15 and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

16 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

17 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

18 While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, 19 when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said:

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,

and naked I will depart.[c]

The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;

may the name of the Lord be praised.”

22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.

[OneLight]

I have found that through my trials and tribulation I have grown in faith and patience.  There is always a lesson in what we go through.  Look for the blessing in the lesson instead of focusing on the negative.

[Pete66]

Any number of reasons exist as to why God would do so, but the short answer to your question is "yes".  Think of the various examples in Scripture - Joseph, Moses, David, etc.  Devotion to God is not the absence of suffering but rather a "very present help" in a world broken and suffering both globally and personally. 

[Riverwalker]

I have found that through my trials and tribulation I have grown in faith and patience.  There is always a lesson in what we go through.  Look for the blessing in the lesson instead of focusing on the negative.

 

As one light mentioned:

 

 

James 1:

² My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ⁴ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

 

1 Cor 10:

¹² Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. ¹³ No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

 

Tests, and trials is how we mature as Christians....by occasionally being put in the smelters fire , we slowly have the impurities drawn away.

 

It is how we come to know the sureness of the delivery of God....it strengthens us and it matures us

 

Now....as you see 1 Cor 10 says it is not beyond what we can handle....so pure suffering....is probably NOT this.

Edited January 20, 2015 by Riverwalker

[Willa]

Romans 8:16-17 NKJV The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and JOINT HEIRS WITH CHRIST, IF INDEED WE SUFFER WITH HIM, THAT WE MAY ALSO BE GLORIFIED TOGETHER.

John 15:20b If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.

[Jerry1023]

I appreciate all the replies above,

i just want to be 100% sure,

as the scripture says"

In the multitude of counsellors there is safety,

I posted this topic base on what happen to me last year,

my faith was badly tested,

I found myself into an ugly situation that i never bargain for,

since 27th" of may 2013"

That i had an encounter with God,

that mark a new era in my life,

it has been heaven on earth,

But" suddenly,in the month of July last year,something terrible that i can never wish anybody happen to me,

it lasted for five months,that five months was like five yrs to me,

Thank God i did not compromise my faith,

it was all by the grace of God plus nothing,

What motivated me to post this topic,

On sunday been 18th" of this month,

i encounter a dreamed,where somebody meet me along the road,

And boldly and expressly told me that,he purposely allowed what happen to me last year,

Just to test me,he congratulated me and shoke hand with me,

Immedaitely: I woke up from my sleep,

On that very day which is sunday,i went to church as usual,

as i was about to take my seat,an usher called me one side and told me that,God told him to tell me that,he purposely allow what happen to me last year,

Immediately i remembered my dreamed,

and i was like can God purposely allow someone to suffer,

and i decided to asked the question

here,

Because this site is just like a seminar school to me,

Were i have come to learn and to share my weak point with you guys,

one on one,iam not the talking type,

some how shy,and iam slow of speech,"#stammer,

I believe that God has raise many godly people here,to help my christian life and my walking relationship with God,

once again i appreciate all the replies,

May the good Lord bless you all.

[disciplehelovestoo]

it is absolutely critical to interpret each scripture in a way that harmonizes with ALL other scripture...

 

Jas 1:12-18 KJV

(12)  Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried <tested>, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

(13)  Let no man say when he is tempted <tested>, I am tempted <tested> of God: for God cannot be tempted <tested> with evil, neither tempteth<testeth> he any man:

(14)  But every man is tempted <tested>, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

(15)  Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

(16)  Do not err, my beloved brethren.

(17)  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

(18)  Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

text enclosed in "<>" added by me

 

2Ti 3:16-17 KJV

(16)  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

(17)  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

 

God is all knowing; He doesn't need to test you to find out what you will do; it's the devil that isn't sure about how you will react...

 

2Co 12:7-10 KJV

(7)  And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

(8)  For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

(9)  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

(10)  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

 

 

suffering comes either by believing lies or through persecution; but God's grace is sufficient (greatest understatement of all time); and His strength is made perfect in weakness of our flesh when we face the messenger of satan that bring infirmities.  suffering for the gospels's sake is evidence that the devil recognizes you as a threat and wants to thwart God's efforts to exalt you lest others should follow your example of faith...

 

paying off a speeding ticket may get my attention and cause me to remember the law against speeding, but the government prefers that i simply obey the law to begin with...