Lesson 96

What Can I Learn About God In The Midst Of Suffering?

Sometimes it takes a difficult experience to recognize God’s faithfulness. Working toward restoration after sexual impurity in a marriage can be especially challenging because of the breakdown of trust and a loss of hope. In many cases, there are a multitude of related problems that must also be resolved, complicating the restoration process. Rebecca was reminded of God’s faithfulness, even as she and her husband hammered out solutions. “I have been reflecting on how the Lord will complete the good work He began in us and see us through this life. We have faced many trials in our lives. I’ve been thinking about the Lord, that He is faithful even when we have lost hope and are less than faithful ourselves. I’m so grateful that He is greater than any lack of belief on our part and He does hear all our prayers. Delay does not mean He is unfaithful or has forgotten us, but that He is working His good will in our lives in ways we don’t fully understand.”

Rebecca laid out how Christians can look for purpose in their suffering and how they can share that with others. “We rejoice in suffering rather than trying to ignore it. We have hope because as believers we don’t suffer without purpose. For us, unlike the people of the world, there is meaning in our suffering and we can glorify God in it. This is difficult when we try to express our rejoicing to others because, to them in their suffering, it can feel like rubbing salt into a wound so it needs to be done with sensitivity.” Rebecca uses Psalm 119:71 to remind herself to rejoice in any suffering: “It is good for me to have been afflicted that I might learn Your statutes.”