PAIN IS INEVITABLE, BUT SUFFERING IS OPTIONAL-5/2/2024

Many books of the Bible depict stories of hardship and display how the Lord helped His people out of the turmoil. With a little study, we can learn from the lives of some of the authors as they give their first-hand accounts of living amidst the trials. The two authors we will focus on are John, who wrote the book of John and the Revelation account, and Paul, who wrote the letter we are about to delve into. 

By the time they penned many of the documents that display God's glory, each of these two men had lived lives of hardship and thrived in them. At one time, both men were incarcerated for acting out their faith and proclaiming Jesus as Lord. Even Peter met the same fate before his death. Despite these hardships, we will see these men continue to live victorious lives in and through the trials. 

A Christian living in trials is contrary to many popular teachings. I will explain why you may still be living with suffering or in a trial that you have asked God to rescue you from, just as Paul was. When we proceed with the belief that God is love, it is impossible for Him to do anything contrary to who He is. This belief begs the question, why? I will also draw your attention to how these men remained resolute through the battle and break it down into some practical steps you can take with you today to be just as victorious, empowered, and directed as these men were.