Finding Purpose in Suffering: Trusting God's Plan
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the profound and often challenging topic of suffering. We explored the question of why suffering exists and how it fits into our Christian walk. Often, we live with an imbalance, only seeing half the story, but today we sought to gain a fuller understanding. We discussed how God answers our questions in three ways: yes, no, and not yet. Each response has its purpose, teaching us responsibility, patience, and hope.
We examined the purpose of suffering through three key points. First, suffering reminds us that we have an active enemy. Just as people in war zones live differently, we too must recognize that we are in a spiritual war zone. The enemy is constantly trying to undermine our faith and purpose. Second, suffering involves pruning, which precedes growth. Just as a plant must be pruned to grow stronger, we too must undergo pruning to remove what is unproductive or diseased in our lives. This process, though painful, prepares us for greater growth and blessings. Third, suffering deepens our dependence on God. In our darkest moments, when we feel utterly alone, we are driven to rely solely on Him. This deepened dependence brings us closer to God and aligns us more fully with His will.
We also reflected on the story of Job, who remained faithful despite immense suffering. Job's story teaches us that God has supreme authority and that our suffering has a purpose beyond our understanding. We must trust that God is working through our trials to bring about a greater good.
In conclusion, suffering is not without purpose. It reminds us of our active enemy, prunes us for growth, and deepens our dependence on God. As we face our own challenges, let us remember that God is with us, working through our suffering to bring about His greater plan.
### Key Takeaways
1. God Answers in Three Ways: God answers our questions with a yes, no, or not yet. Each response serves a purpose: a yes teaches us responsibility, a no can create frustration but also growth, and a not yet maintains our hope. Understanding these responses can release the pressure we feel and help us trust in God's timing. [45:09]
2. Active Enemy: Suffering reminds us that we have an active enemy. Just as people in war zones live differently, we must recognize that we are in a spiritual war zone. The enemy is constantly trying to undermine our faith and purpose, and we must be vigilant and steadfast in our spiritual battles. [50:46]
3. Pruning Precedes Growth: Suffering often involves pruning, which is necessary for growth. Just as a plant must be pruned to remove unproductive or diseased parts, we too must undergo pruning to prepare for greater blessings. This process, though painful, ultimately strengthens us and aligns us more closely with God's will. [01:00:34]
4. Deepened Dependence on God: Suffering deepens our dependence on God. In our darkest moments, when we feel utterly alone, we are driven to rely solely on Him. This deepened dependence brings us closer to God and helps us trust in His plan, even when we don't understand it. [01:08:07]
5. Purpose Beyond Understanding: The story of Job teaches us that our suffering has a purpose beyond our understanding. God has supreme authority and is working through our trials to bring about a greater good. We must trust that God is with us, working through our suffering to bring about His greater plan. [01:16:48]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[45:09] - God Answers in Three Ways
[47:30] - The Cycle of Life and Suffering
[50:46] - Active Enemy
[53:01] - The Story of Job
[55:55] - Personal Testimony of Suffering
[58:12] - Spiritual Warfare
[01:00:34] - Pruning Precedes Growth
[01:02:13] - The Pain of Pruning
[01:06:24] - Deepened Dependence on God
[01:08:07] - Light in Darkness
[01:10:36] - Seeking God in Suffering
[01:12:12] - Personal Encounter and Prayer
[01:14:30] - Purpose of Suffering
[01:16:48] - Following Jesus and Obedience
[01:18:00] - Communion and Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Job 1:6-12
2. John 15:1-2
3. Hebrews 5:7-9
#### Observation Questions
1. In Job 1:6-12, what is the nature of the conversation between God and Satan? What does this reveal about the relationship between God and suffering?
2. According to John 15:1-2, what is the purpose of pruning in the life of a believer?
3. Hebrews 5:7-9 mentions that Jesus learned obedience through suffering. How does this passage describe the process and outcome of His suffering?
4. The sermon mentioned that God answers our questions in three ways: yes, no, and not yet. How does each type of answer serve a different purpose in our spiritual growth? [45:09]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the story of Job illustrate the concept of having an active enemy who seeks to undermine our faith? [50:46]
2. What does the process of pruning look like in a believer's life, and why is it necessary for spiritual growth? [01:00:34]
3. How can suffering deepen our dependence on God, and what are some practical ways to cultivate this dependence during difficult times? [01:08:07]
4. The sermon suggests that suffering has a purpose beyond our understanding. How can this perspective change the way we view our own trials and challenges? [01:16:48]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God answered your prayer with a "not yet." How did this experience affect your hope and trust in God's timing? [45:09]
2. In what ways can you be more vigilant in recognizing the spiritual war zone around you? How can you prepare yourself to stand firm against the enemy's attacks? [50:46]
3. Think about an area in your life where you feel you are being "pruned." How can you embrace this process and trust that it is preparing you for greater growth and blessings? [01:00:34]
4. During moments of deep suffering, what practical steps can you take to deepen your dependence on God? Share a specific example from your life where you relied solely on Him. [01:08:07]
5. How can the story of Job inspire you to remain faithful during your own trials? What steps can you take to trust that God is working through your suffering for a greater good? [53:01]
6. Identify a current challenge you are facing. How can you shift your perspective to see this challenge as an opportunity for spiritual growth and deeper dependence on God? [01:10:36]
7. How can you support others in your small group who are going through suffering? What practical ways can you offer encouragement and help them see God's purpose in their trials? [01:12:12]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting God's Timing
God answers our questions with a yes, no, or not yet. Each response serves a purpose: a yes teaches us responsibility, a no can create frustration but also growth, and a not yet maintains our hope. Understanding these responses can release the pressure we feel and help us trust in God's timing. [45:09]
Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you felt frustrated by God's response. How can you shift your perspective to see His answer as part of a larger plan for your growth and hope?
Day 2: Recognizing Our Spiritual Enemy
Suffering reminds us that we have an active enemy. Just as people in war zones live differently, we must recognize that we are in a spiritual war zone. The enemy is constantly trying to undermine our faith and purpose, and we must be vigilant and steadfast in our spiritual battles. [50:46]
1 Peter 5:8-9 (ESV): "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world."
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you feel spiritually attacked. What steps can you take today to be more vigilant and steadfast in your faith?
Day 3: Embracing the Pain of Pruning
Suffering often involves pruning, which is necessary for growth. Just as a plant must be pruned to remove unproductive or diseased parts, we too must undergo pruning to prepare for greater blessings. This process, though painful, ultimately strengthens us and aligns us more closely with God's will. [01:00:34]
John 15:2 (ESV): "Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent hardship you faced. How can you see this experience as a form of pruning that prepares you for greater growth and blessings?
Day 4: Deepening Dependence on God
Suffering deepens our dependence on God. In our darkest moments, when we feel utterly alone, we are driven to rely solely on Him. This deepened dependence brings us closer to God and helps us trust in His plan, even when we don't understand it. [01:08:07]
Psalm 34:18 (ESV): "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."
Reflection: Think of a time when you felt completely alone. How did that experience drive you to rely more on God, and how can you continue to deepen your dependence on Him today?
Day 5: Trusting in God's Greater Plan
The story of Job teaches us that our suffering has a purpose beyond our understanding. God has supreme authority and is working through our trials to bring about a greater good. We must trust that God is with us, working through our suffering to bring about His greater plan. [01:16:48]
James 5:11 (ESV): "Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful."
Reflection: Reflect on a current or past trial. How can you trust that God is using this experience to bring about a greater good in your life and the lives of others?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Do you know that God answers every question? It's gone quiet. You might say, well, my questions have not been asked. Maybe it's because we're yet to understand how God answers questions. Because God answers questions, there are three ways, with a yes, with a no, with a not yet. If you can just for a moment, stop and think about that, that will release the pressure valve what the flip is happening." [45:09] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Don't give up just because it's not happening. Come on, I'm speaking today. I'm not just, I'm wanting to impart something that we have an activated enemy that's trying to stop us. And every time we make a decision to go forward and that war zone is around us. I mean, the story to walk through something pretty dark and deep, yet still be able to see God in it." [53:01] (70 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If God is allowing it, he's got a bigger purpose. And God is going to move powerfully through it because he's taking us to a place we haven't been before. That if we continue to trust him, so Job stands in the middle of everything that would say, just curse God and die. And some of us are here today and we need to hear that the situation that is too big for us is too big for us. But not too big for God." [55:55] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "I think we see further in natural light, but we go deeper in darkness. Why suffering? Because if we don't have suffering, we're just going to keep on the same path. We're just going to keep on the same path. We're just going to keep on the same path. That's the trajectory that we've always lived. Our strength will be in the things that dissipate rather than in the giver of life." [01:10:36] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The purpose of suffering is to bring us to a place where God can move, powerfully. And I pray that this is more than the message today. I pray that this is a moment where God just, brings back realignment and says to all of us that suffering has a purpose because we've got an active enemy. We need to understand that. That if we really want a breakthrough, God's going to have to prune some of the things that are stopping that." [01:14:30] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "An overused yes breeds a lack of responsibility. So I want yes every time. But if I just get yes, yes, yes, yes, I'll never go deeper and learn the responsibility attached to the pathway of growth. A misused or misunderstood no creates frustration. And then a timely not yet, literally, comes to a place where, let me read it, maintains hope." [45:09] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Suffering is there to remind us that we have an active enemy. Right now, you and I and our humanity are in a war zone. There's an enemy that just doesn't wake up because we sing worship. There's an enemy that's active around your world and your circumstance. And my circumstances right now, he's trying to undermine the truth of God's word by what I'm currently facing." [50:46] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Pruning precedes growth. Come on, we all want growth. God, bless me. God, take me to new levels. God, bless my business. God, do something in my marriage. And God says, you want growth? Then we're going to prune some stuff. We've got to allow that, and therefore, we begin to question, well, God, why is it so tough, and why are we going through suffering?" [01:00:34] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We go through suffering to deepen. I go through suffering to deepen my God dependence. Right. These last three years nearly have been so deep and so dark. For the first time in my life, I have found myself in hospital. Rooms alone with COVID and being at situations where it's like, God, I know you love me and I know you're true, but God, right now I'm confused and I don't understand what I can do to get through this." [01:06:24] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If God is allowing it, he's got a bigger purpose. And God is going to move powerfully through it because he's taking us to a place we haven't been before. That if we continue to trust him, so Job stands in the middle of everything that would say, just curse God and die. And some of us are here today and we need to hear that the situation that is too big for us is too big for us. But not too big for God." [55:55] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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