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.
3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.
28 And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.29 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
21 For even to this were you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow his steps:
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto 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.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation works patience;4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds by Christ.
29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
1 Since therefore Christ has suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin;
Consolação e companhia
Deus consola os aflitos para que possamos consolar outros. Nunca estamos sozinhos no sofrimento — Ele é o Pai das misericórdias.
3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;4 Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them who are in any trouble, by the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted of God.
2 Bear you one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
10 But the God of all grace, who has called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that you have suffered a while, restore, establish, strengthen, settle you.
14 But if you suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are you: and, Be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
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.
20 Then Job arose, and tore his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshiped,21 And said, Naked came I out of my motherâs womb, and naked shall I return there: the LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
17 Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects: therefore despise not the chastening of the Almighty:
38 And he that takes not his cross, and follows after me, is not worthy of me.
39 He that finds his life shall lose it: and he that loses his life for my sake shall find it.
23 And in hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and seeing Abraham far off, and Lazarus in his bosom.24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
3 And he humbled you, and allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna, which you knew not, neither did your fathers know; that he might make you know that man does not live by bread only, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD does man live.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profits me nothing.
22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should proclaim light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: