Embracing Suffering: Trials, Faith, and God's Guidance

 

Summary

In reflecting on the profound questions of suffering, despair, and the role of Satan in our lives, I shared insights from my own experiences and the wisdom of Scripture. After Jim Elliot's death, I spent seven years with the Indians, including two years with the Auca tribe, which taught me invaluable lessons about endurance and faith. When faced with long-term suffering, it's crucial to remember the words from James: trials are not intruders but friends that test our faith and build endurance. This process, though painful, is necessary for spiritual growth. In times of despair, Isaiah 58:10 offers a powerful remedy: pour yourself out for others, and in doing so, your own needs will be met.

Satan's role in suffering is complex. As seen in Paul's thorn in the flesh, suffering can be both a gift from God and a messenger of Satan. We live in a fallen world where Satan has significant influence, yet he has no ultimate rights over us. Our assurance lies in the fact that God is greater and that He uses even the worst circumstances for good, as demonstrated in the crucifixion of Jesus.

Friendship during suffering can be challenging. Some friends may fade away, unable to cope with our pain. It's important to understand that this often stems from their uncertainty about how to respond. Encouraging open conversations about our losses can help bridge this gap. Offering our emotions to God as a sacrifice is a way to cope with feelings of loneliness and despair. This act of surrender is not a one-time event but a continual process of giving our burdens to God.

Knowing God as a person requires obedience. The Bible, particularly John 14, emphasizes that the knowledge of God is the reward of obedience. By doing the next right thing, even in mundane tasks, we draw closer to Him. Finally, in our efforts to be broken bread and poured-out wine, we must avoid burnout by seeking God's guidance in prioritizing our tasks, ensuring we do His work without haste or sloth.

Key Takeaways:

- Trials and suffering are not to be resented but welcomed as friends that test our faith and build endurance. This process is essential for spiritual growth, as seen in the lives of biblical figures like Daniel and the Israelites. [01:18]

- Satan's influence in our suffering is a mystery, but we can rest assured that God is greater and uses even the worst circumstances for good. Our ultimate protection lies in belonging to God, who is greater than the one in the world. [04:39]

- In times of suffering, friends may distance themselves due to uncertainty about how to respond. Encouraging open conversations about our losses can help maintain these relationships and provide comfort. [06:05]

- Offering our emotions to God as a sacrifice is a continual process. This act of surrender allows God to work in mysterious ways, transforming our burdens into blessings. [09:02]

- Knowing God as a person requires obedience. By doing the next right thing, even in mundane tasks, we draw closer to Him and experience His love and guidance. [12:16]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:14] - Time with the Indians
- [00:36] - Coping with Long-term Suffering
- [01:18] - Trials as Friends
- [02:00] - Pouring Out for Others
- [02:48] - Satan's Role in Suffering
- [04:13] - The Mystery of Suffering
- [05:00] - Friendship and Suffering
- [06:05] - Responding to Loss
- [08:08] - Handling Emotions
- [09:02] - Offering Emotions to God
- [11:22] - Knowing God as a Person
- [12:16] - Obedience and Knowing God
- [14:19] - Practical Obedience
- [15:33] - Avoiding Burnout

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. James 1:2-4 - "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
2. Isaiah 58:10 - "If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday."
3. John 14:21 - "Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them."

Observation Questions:
1. According to James 1:2-4, what is the purpose of trials in a believer's life? How does this relate to the sermon’s perspective on suffering? [01:18]
2. In Isaiah 58:10, what is the promised outcome of pouring oneself out for others? How does this connect to the sermon’s advice on handling despair? [02:00]
3. How does John 14:21 describe the relationship between obedience and knowing God? How was this principle illustrated in the sermon? [12:16]
4. What role does Satan play in suffering according to the sermon, and how does this align with the biblical narrative? [03:13]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How might viewing trials as "friends" rather than "intruders" change a person's approach to suffering? What impact could this have on their spiritual growth? [01:18]
2. In what ways does the act of serving others during personal suffering align with the biblical principle of self-sacrifice? How might this practice transform one's own experience of suffering? [02:00]
3. How does the sermon suggest believers should handle feelings of loneliness and despair? What does it mean to offer these emotions to God as a sacrifice? [09:02]
4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between obedience and experiencing God's presence? How might this understanding affect a believer's daily life? [12:16]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent trial you faced. How did you perceive it at the time, and how might viewing it as a "friend" have changed your response? [01:18]
2. Identify a specific way you can "pour yourself out" for someone in need this week. How do you anticipate this might impact your own feelings of despair or loneliness? [02:00]
3. Consider a time when you felt distant from God. How might practicing obedience in small, everyday tasks help you draw closer to Him? [12:16]
4. Have you ever experienced friends distancing themselves during your times of suffering? How can you encourage open conversations to maintain those relationships? [06:05]
5. Think of a burden or emotion you are currently struggling with. What steps can you take to offer it to God as a sacrifice, and how might this change your perspective? [09:02]
6. How can you discern between tasks that are God's will and those that are not, especially when feeling overwhelmed? What practical steps can you take to avoid burnout while serving others? [15:33]
7. Reflect on a mundane task you often overlook. How can you approach it with a mindset of obedience to God, and what difference might this make in your spiritual journey? [12:16]

Devotional

Day 1: Trials as Catalysts for Spiritual Growth
In the journey of faith, trials are not mere obstacles but catalysts for spiritual growth. They are not to be resented but welcomed as friends that test our faith and build endurance. This process, though often painful, is essential for spiritual maturity. The lives of biblical figures like Daniel and the Israelites exemplify how enduring trials can lead to a deeper relationship with God and a stronger faith. Embracing trials as opportunities for growth allows us to see them as part of God's refining process, shaping us into the people He desires us to be. [01:18]

James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Reflection: Think of a current trial you are facing. How can you view it as a friend that is helping to build your endurance and faith today?


Day 2: God's Sovereignty Over Satan's Influence
Satan's influence in our suffering is a complex mystery, yet we can rest assured that God is greater and uses even the worst circumstances for good. Our ultimate protection lies in belonging to God, who is greater than the one in the world. This assurance allows us to face suffering with confidence, knowing that God is in control and that He can transform our pain into something beautiful. The crucifixion of Jesus is the ultimate example of how God can use what seems like a defeat for a greater purpose. [04:39]

1 John 4:4 (ESV): "Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."

Reflection: Reflect on a situation where you felt overwhelmed by negative influences. How can you remind yourself of God's sovereignty and greater power in that situation today?


Day 3: The Role of Friendship in Suffering
In times of suffering, friends may distance themselves due to uncertainty about how to respond. Encouraging open conversations about our losses can help maintain these relationships and provide comfort. Understanding that friends may struggle with how to support us can lead to more grace-filled interactions. By fostering open dialogue, we can bridge the gap and find solace in shared experiences, allowing friendships to become a source of strength and healing during difficult times. [06:05]

Proverbs 17:17 (ESV): "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."

Reflection: Identify a friend who has distanced themselves during your time of suffering. How can you initiate an open conversation with them about your experiences and needs today?


Day 4: Surrendering Emotions to God
Offering our emotions to God as a sacrifice is a continual process. This act of surrender allows God to work in mysterious ways, transforming our burdens into blessings. By giving our emotions to God, we invite Him into our struggles and open ourselves to His healing and guidance. This surrender is not a one-time event but a daily practice of trusting God with our deepest feelings and allowing Him to bring peace and transformation. [09:02]

Psalm 55:22 (ESV): "Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved."

Reflection: What emotion are you holding onto that you need to surrender to God today? How can you make this act of surrender a daily practice?


Day 5: Obedience as a Path to Knowing God
Knowing God as a person requires obedience. By doing the next right thing, even in mundane tasks, we draw closer to Him and experience His love and guidance. Obedience is not about grand gestures but about faithfully following God's leading in everyday life. As we commit to this path, we find that our relationship with God deepens, and we become more attuned to His presence and direction. [12:16]

John 14:21 (ESV): "Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him."

Reflection: What is one small act of obedience you can commit to today that will help you draw closer to God? How can this act become a regular part of your spiritual practice?

Quotes


I would think of the first chapter of James, where he says, "When all kinds of trials and temptations come into your lives, my brothers, don't resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends. Realize that they come to test your faith and to produce in you the quality of endurance." But then he says this important thing. He says, "Let the process go on." And God does let the process go on. Remember that Israel had to go through that wilderness. Daniel had to go into the lion's den. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had to go into the furnace. And sometimes the furnace lasts a long time. [00:01:18]

I don't know a better therapy for depression and despair and grief itself than this formula from Isaiah 58:10. Start pouring yourself out for somebody else, because there are a lot of people in much worse shape than you are. You cannot do it alone. It's only by the grace of God, and He will help you. When you start doing that, something amazing happens. This principle of exchange starts to go into operation and, as he promises here, then you will be satisfied. Your own hungers, your own needs will be met when you start meeting somebody else's. [00:02:00]

In the passage describing Paul's thorn in the flesh, he says that it was not only a gift given to him to prevent spiritual pride -- which clearly means that it had to be a gift from God -- but he said it was also a messenger of Satan given to buffet him. So that has settled my mind forever in trying to figure out whether something that comes to me is from God or from Satan, because we live in a fallen world in which Satan is the prince of the power of the air -- and he apparently has tremendous authority because he offered to Jesus all the kingdoms of the world. [00:02:48]

We are at the mercy of Satan up to a point, but he has no rights over us any more than he had over Job, any more than he has over Jesus, and yet God gives him permission. We can't plumb the mysteries, but we can recognize that we belong to God, and "greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world." [00:04:39]

One aspect of anyone who is bereaved, I suppose, experiences the fact that their friends -- many of their friends -- sort of fade away into the woodwork because they don't know what to do. They don't know how to respond to this. And I -- come to think about it, I do remember people actually avoiding me, and I didn't take it hardly. I took it simply that they did not know how to respond. [00:06:05]

I can't handle bad emotions. I can't handle loneliness, I can't handle despair and discouragement. So it becomes material for sacrifice. It's something which I literally have to offer to God. And, if you want me to give you a -- my own very simple formula, and it's not the way you have to do it, but it has been of, of a great help to me, to just get alone somewhere, get down on my knees, and say, "Lord, you know how I'm feeling" about this thing, whatever it is. [00:09:02]

In other words, God may give me the same thing a thousand times to give back to Him, and He keeps exchanging it and giving it back to me. And He is working in mysterious, unseen ways which, ultimately, I think we're going to see -- just as the poem about the weaver tells -- He is at work. And the day is going to come when He will unfold the pattern, and it will be your responses that are going to make the difference there. [00:10:52]

The most practical book in the world is the Bible, and I can give you a verse from John 14, and then I'll try to bring it down to earth maybe, if it's not practical enough to suit you. It says, in verse 21, John 14: "The man who has received My commands and obeys them, he it is who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and disclose myself to him." [00:11:22]

In other words, the knowledge of God is not an intellectual exercise. It is the reward of obedience. And I gave you the story of my friend Terry, who decided to obey God and honor her mother. And, instead of arguing, and fussing, and whining, and howling, and creating a scene, when her mother said, "No, you can't go," she said, "Okay." Now, I don't know how to be any more practical than that. [00:12:16]

Very often, young people -- college students, high school students -- come to me and they say, "I really want to do the will of God. I really want to know God. Now, how do you get there?" You know, they think I'm way up here on some kind of a pedestal that they've got to struggle to get to, and how did I get there? And I try to show them that I'm still right down here in kindergarten struggling the same way they are. [00:12:57]

We are to do the work of God without haste and without sloth, and only God can help us to sort out what is His will and what is ours or somebody else's. [00:15:33]

Our pattern is Jesus, again. He was a very busy man, and yet He, He moved in perfect serenity from one thing to the next. And I think the secret of the peace that He gives is to do the work that God has given us to do. And that's, of course, the tension that you and I have to deal with. I constantly pray, "Lord, Thy list be done." [00:15:33]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Aug 05, 2020. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?