Pastor Scott Applegate
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NASB
“Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.” 1 Corinthians 13:12 NLT
How Do We Piece Together the Puzzle of Sovereignty and Suffering?
Puzzle Piece #1: Sin
- God is not the author of evil and suffering
“Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!” Genesis 1:31 NLT
- The author of suffering is the disobedience of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3)
“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.” Romans 5:12 NIV
- Suffering is a result of immoral choices of humans
“Do unto others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:31 NIV
- The Fall effected everything in creation
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” Romans 8:18-22 NIV
Puzzle Piece #2: Redemption
“I am making everything new!” Revelation 21:5 NIV
- God uses pain to draw people toward Jesus
“For God sometimes uses sorrow in our lives to help us turn away from sin and seek eternal life. We should never regret his sending it…” 2 Corinthians 7:10 LB
- God uses pain to shape our character
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:3-4 NIV
“Although he was the Son, he learned obedience from what he suffered.” Hebrews 5:8 CSB
- God uses pain to lovingly discipline His children for their good
“They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:10-11 NIV
- God can accomplish something positive out of the negatives of life
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 NIV
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Genesis 50:20 NIV
Puzzle Piece #3: Eternity
- The day is coming when all suffering will cease and evil will be judged
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4 NIV
- Compared to the blessings of heaven our suffering in this life will seem very small
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” 2 Corinthians 4:17 NIV
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18 NIV
Puzzle Piece #4: Perspective
“Maybe the reason life is so hard is because we think life should be easy.” Scott Peck
- We decide whether to turn bitter because of suffering, or become better because of it
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NASB