I want Paul's attitude regarding suffering

[warrior12]

On 12/24/2016 at 8:28 PM, spiderman1917 said:

Seeking comfort can make us more wimpy and make our tolerance to suffering decrease, which in the end makes the suffering worse.

Our body tells us to stay in bed when it's time to go to work. That isn't good to cater to the bodie's whim's. Sacrifice and suffering can build strength.

If we seek comfort too often, it will weaken us and lead to more suffering. Try living a suffering-free life and see where it gets you.

Suffering can make us stronger. Boot camp is an example. Any athlete also knows suffering makes a person stronger

Getting somewhere in life takes effort and sacrifice. The person who wishes to chronically avoid suffering won't get anywhere.  

The more your patience is tested, the more patient you become. If your patience is never tested, it doesn't grow much. By developing a tremendous amount of patience, it can lead to less suffering. 
By avoiding all situations where your patience is tested you become weaker.   This can lead to more suffering, and is one example of how avoiding suffering can lead to more suffering. 

It is indeed an interesting topic and one that has to be carefully thought out as one goes through his life journey.  The body does not like pain, and for some it is an unavoidable situation that has to be managed best as could and for the christian, his comfort and perseverance is him knowing his eternal destination which he knows is sure.  There are different types of suffering that can manifest in ways that is tangible and non- tangible.  Spiritual persecution is very real and a man could have his health, wealth and the rest and still have troubles that is not visible to any others, until he describes them.   Learning to be joyful in suffering is a humongous task, as the whip of pain is a constant reminder or cheater of that joy.  Nevertheless, Paul has given his admonitions and we have to try with the Lord help to press on, it is the christian mandate. 

2 Timothy 4New American Standard Bible (NASB)

⁵ But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

⁶ For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.

⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;

[Leonardo Von]

On 12/23/2016 at 8:08 PM, spiderman1917 said:

let me ask you reader, If there are two children in Somalia starving to death, one of them hates suffering, one of them loves suffering, which do you think suffers more? Which one would you rather be?

In the first place, let us clarify what Paul meant in these two passages:

 

·         “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. 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.” (2Corinthians 12.9,10).

 

Notice that Paul's happiness was not in suffering (he was not a masochist), but in the possibility of seeing the power of Christ resting in him and making him perfect as the Father (as Matthew 5:48, 1 Peter 1:16) commands:

 

·         “Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:” (Colossians 1.24).

·         “Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?” (2Corinthians 11.28,29).

 

Observe that Paul's suffering here is related to seeing many souls going to hell for not knowing Christ and especially seeing many brothers turning away from the faith.

[Leonardo Von]

On 12/23/2016 at 8:29 PM, hmbld said:

I don't think it's actually loving the pain and trials as much as loving the result, the fact that it can draw us closer to the One who loves us!

 

On 12/23/2016 at 8:33 PM, spiderman1917 said:

Amen!  Pain, suffering, trials, persecution... it draws us closer to God.  The cross and suffering unites us with the one who loves us.  You hit the nail on the head!  

Beloved brethren, what brings us closer to Christ is not suffering but rather the revelation of Christ and the working of the Spirit of the Eternal within us:

 

·         “All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.” (Matthew 11.27).

·         “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6.37).

·         No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.” (John 6.44,45).

 

What suffering can do is to give place to the Spirit of the Eternal to convince the individual of sin, justice, and judgment (and this if he permits). Otherwise, suffering can further harden the individual:

 

·         “Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.” (Isaiah 1.5).

 

May Jesus help us to have pleasure, not in suffering, but in the correction that the Eternal makes within us in the midst of this:

 

“And that I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity: then will I remember my covenant with Jacob, and also my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham will I remember; and I will remember the land.” (Leviticus 26.41,42).