Sofrimento
O sofrimento é uma realidade da vida neste mundo, mas a Bíblia revela que Deus está presente em toda dor, produzindo caráter, esperança e redenção através das tribulações.
O sofrimento de Cristo
Jesus sofreu por nós, carregando nossas dores e enfermidades. Ele é o modelo supremo de como enfrentar o sofrimento com fé e obediência.
We despised him and rejected him;
he endured suffering and pain.
No one would even look at him—
we ignored him as if he were nothing.
"But he endured the suffering that should have been ours,
the pain that we should have borne.
All the while we thought that his suffering
was punishment sent by God.
They stripped off his clothes and put a scarlet robe on him. Then they made a crown out of thorny branches and placed it on his head, and put a stick in his right hand; then they knelt before him and made fun of him. "Long live the King of the Jews!" they said.
It was to this that God called you, for Christ himself suffered for you and left you an example, so that you would follow in his steps.
All I want is to know Christ and to experience the power of his resurrection, to share in his sufferings and become like him in his death,
O propósito do sofrimento
Deus usa as tribulações para produzir perseverança, caráter e esperança. O sofrimento presente não se compara com a glória que será revelada.
We also boast of our troubles, because we know that trouble produces endurance, endurance brings God’s approval, and his approval creates hope.
I consider that what we suffer at this present time cannot be compared at all with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.
And this small and temporary trouble we suffer will bring us a tremendous and eternal glory, much greater than the trouble.
Just as we have a share in Christ’s many sufferings, so also through Christ we share in God’s great help.
For you have been given the privilege of serving Christ, not only by believing in him, but also by suffering for him.
Since Christ suffered physically, you too must strengthen yourselves with the same way of thinking that he had; because whoever suffers physically is no longer involved with sin.
Consolação e companhia
Deus consola os aflitos para que possamos consolar outros. Nunca estamos sozinhos no sofrimento — Ele é o Pai das misericórdias.
Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the merciful Father, the God from whom all help comes! He helps us in all our troubles, so that we are able to help others who have all kinds of troubles, using the same help that we ourselves have received from God.
Help carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will obey the law of Christ.
Good people suffer many troubles,
but the Lord saves them from them all;
But after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who calls you to share his eternal glory in union with Christ, will himself perfect you and give you firmness, strength, and a sure foundation.
But even if you should suffer for doing what is right, how happy you are! Do not be afraid of anyone, and do not worry.
Fé em meio à dor
Os grandes homens e mulheres de fé sofreram e perseveraram. O sofrimento nos aproxima de Deus e nos leva a entender seu coração.
Then Job got up and tore his clothes in grief. He shaved his head and threw himself face downward on the ground. He said, "I was born with nothing, and I will die with nothing. The Lord gave, and now he has taken away. May his name be praised!"
Happy is the person whom God corrects!
Do not resent it when he rebukes you.
Those who do not take up their cross and follow in my steps are not fit to be my disciples.
Those who try to gain their own life will lose it; but those who lose their life for my sake will gain it.
and in Hades, where he was in great pain, he looked up and saw Abraham, far away, with Lazarus at his side. So he called out, ‘Father Abraham! Take pity on me, and send Lazarus to dip his finger in some water and cool off my tongue, because I am in great pain in this fire!’
He made you go hungry, and then he gave you manna to eat, food that you and your ancestors had never eaten before. He did this to teach you that you must not depend on bread alone to sustain you, but on everything that the Lord says.
Who, then, can separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble do it, or hardship or persecution or hunger or poverty or danger or death?
I may give away everything I have, and even give up my body to be burned—but if I have no love, this does me no good.
But to this very day I have been helped by God, and so I stand here giving my witness to all, to small and great alike. What I say is the very same thing which the prophets and Moses said was going to happen: that the Messiah must suffer and be the first one to rise from death, to announce the light of salvation to the Jews and to the Gentiles."
Try to be at peace with everyone, and try to live a holy life, because no one will see the Lord without it.