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.
But his form was ignoble, and inferior to that of the children of men; he was a man in suffering, and acquainted with the bearing of sickness, for his face is turned from us: he was dishonored, and not esteemed.
He bears our sins, and is pained for us: yet we accounted him to be in trouble, and in suffering, and in affliction.
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.
Consolação e companhia
Deus consola os aflitos para que possamos consolar outros. Nunca estamos sozinhos no sofrimento — Ele é o Pai das misericórdias.
Let not them that are mine enemies without a cause rejoice against me;
Who hate me for nothing, and wink with their eyes.
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.
So Job arose, and rent his garments,
And shaved the hair of his head,
And fell on the earth, and worshiped, and said,
I myself came forth naked from my mother’s womb,
And naked shall I return thither:
The Lord gave, the Lord has taken away:
As it seemed good to the Lord, so has it come to pass;
Blessed be the name of the Lord.
But blessed is the man whom the Lord has reproved;
And reject not thou the chastening of the Almighty.
And he afflicted thee and straitened thee with hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thy fathers knew not; that he might teach thee that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God shall man live.