Hi ~

I’ve written about suffering some on my blog, but I’ve never put all my thoughts together. That’s what’s going to happen this year, God willing, in my next Untwisting Scriptures book. It will be #5—about Suffering, Death (to Self), and Life.

Here’s what I know to be a Biblical perspective on suffering. I am greatly interested in your thoughts.

— When we’re filled with the Holy Spirit of God and are setting out to rescue souls from darkness and bring them into the Kingdom of light, we should not be surprised by suffering and should be willing to endure it.

— Suffering can produce greater endurance, as Romans 5:3-4 says, and for that we can be thankful. One who has suffered in faith will be one with more resolve to go forward in the future, for the rescue of souls from darkness and the spread of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

BUT . . .

— Suffering will not make us any more holy than we already are by faith in the complete holiness of Jesus Christ.

— We are not to be passive about our circumstances but are to do what we can to protect ourselves and any helpless ones who depend on us. We shouldn’t stay in a place of suffering if we can escape it without compromising the truth.

— Marriage is not more valuable than human life.

— Christians should help other Christians who are suffering instead of simply telling them to keep suffering.

There is a theology of suffering that can contribute to Christians becoming shockingly hard-hearted against other Christians.

And there is a theology of suffering that can contribute to our becoming increasingly valiant-hearted in the significant battle we’re in for the Kingdom of God.

There’s so much to unpack in each of these thoughts! I’m excited about exploring them.

I look for my wonderful, wise, astute subscribers to contribute your thoughts as well. I’m eager to hear what you’ve learned through the Scriptures, your relationship with the Lord, and through life experience, about suffering.

With you to understand the heart of God,

Rebecca

Untwisting Scriptures at heresthejoy.com

See my Untwisting Scriptures series

P.S. If you haven’t yet downloaded my free guide for reading the Bible again after spiritual abuse (without feeling guilty or getting triggered out of your mind), you can get it here.