Why Does Such Suffering Come to Us?
(James 5:11)
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When suffering never comes singly, we cry out in the midst of suffering, “Oh Lord, why does such suffering come to me?” There was a woman who waited for a long time to have a baby. She finally gave birth to a pretty baby but the baby died soon. Being in great sadness, the woman was able to be pregnant again by help of an obstetrician. But ultrasound test revealed that the newly conceived baby in her womb was crippled. The couple, who were in grief after a short-term relief, sent me a letter saying, “Why does the Lord put us in this huge distress? Tears are dried up and we cannot pray anymore. We sink into the pit of despair.” My strength was completely draining out of me by the letter. I cannot imagine how helpless the couple must have felt.
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1. Job’s suffering and Job’s response
- Job also had suffering on suffering.
1) Lost his children and wealth * (Job 1:13-22)
2) Lost his health * (Job 2:7-8)
3) His wife’s resistance * (Job 2:9-10)
4) Lack of understanding from his friends ? Job’s sigh * (Job 3:26)
5) Eventually he received blessing from God * (Job 42:10-17)

2. Because of our weakness
1) Hudson Taylor, the missionary who opened the door to evangelizing the inner China
2) Trudy Stevens, the wife of a pastor, who lived in Korea for 55 years serving God

3. God’s will concerning suffering
1) To test whether our love toward God is conditional or unconditional
2) To have us take off our shoes
① Abandonment of ownership - Ruth
② Proof of being a servant
③ Absolute obedience
3) Discipline to earn strong faith
4) To rid ourselves of arrogance and rely on the Lord completely * (2 Co 12:9-10)
① The Lord’s power makes us complete when we are weak
② Jesus’ power stays on us when we are weak
③ I am strong when I am weak
5) Punishment on the sins of disobedience ? He makes us repent of our sins so that we can become holy.
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There are times when it seems like suffering never comes alone and when it rains it pours. In times of suffering like this, have a faith that the Lord is good so that good things will eventually happen, give thanks to the Lord, repent of our sins, be committed to the Lord and be patient.