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Your Question:
What's the meaning of suffering when you're still alive?
Answer:
As I reflect on the meaning of suffering while still alive, I'm reminded of the words of Psalm 126:6, which says "He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him." This passage suggests that suffering is not the end, but rather a part of the path that leads to glory and beauty. It implies that our struggles and hardships are not meaningless, but rather have a purpose - to shape us and make us more like Jesus. In the Christian worldview, suffering is not something to be feared or avoided, but rather something that can be used for our good. As the Bible says, "Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed every day" (2 Cor. 4:16). This means that even in the midst of suffering, we can be experiencing spiritual growth and transformation. This is a comforting thought, and one that I've seen play out in the lives of those I've pastored. When we suffer, it can be tempting to feel like we're alone, but the Bible reminds us that we are not. When someone has suffered like us, they understand us before we even speak. They can even supply words that describe our pain and help us find meaning in it. And as we endure suffering, we can be reminded that it's not the end - that we will one day live with Jesus, and our suffering will be dwarfed by the joys of eternal life.
Sources:
depression
edward welch
systematic theology
wayne grudem
confronting christianity
rebecca mclaughlin
romans
f f bruce
dogmatic theology
shedd
sacred marriage
gary thomas
why does god allow evil
clay jones
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