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.
28 They stripped him and put on him a scarlet robe.29 And they twisted a thorny crown for him, and put it on his head, and placed a reed in his right hand. Then they knelt before him, in mockery, crying, "Hail, King of the Jews!"
21 For this is your calling; because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his footsteps;
10 I long to know him in the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, by sharing the likeness of 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 are actually exulting also even in our troubles; for we know that trouble works fortitude,4 and fortitude character, and character, hope -
18 For I count as nothing what we now suffer, in comparison with the glory which will soon be unveiled to us.
17 For my light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working out for me a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
5 For just as I have more than my share in the sufferings of the Christ, so also through the Christ I have more than my share of comfort.
29 For it has been granted you in Christs behalf, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake,
1 Since, then, Christ suffered in the flesh, do you also ever arm yourselves with the same mind (because he who has suffered in the flesh has done 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.
3 Thanks be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort,4 who ever comforts me in all my troubles, so that I may be continually able to comfort those who are in any trouble by the comfort with which God is ever comforting me.
2 Ever be bearing one anothers burdens, and so be fulfilling the law of Christ.
10 But the God of all grace, who has called us by Christ Jesus to share his eternal glory, will, after you have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
14 But even if you should suffer in behalf of righteousness, you are happy. Do not be 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.
38 "and he who does not take his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me.
39 "He who has saved his life shall lose it; and he who has lost his life for my sake shall find it.
23 "The rich man also died, and was buried. And as he was tormented in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off and Lazarus in his bosom.24 "And he cried out and said, Father Abraham have mercy on me; and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.
35 What shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall anguish, or calamity, or persecution, or famine? Shall nakedness, or peril, or sword?
3 And though I sell all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it avails me nothing.
22 "But having obtained the help that comes from God, I stand even to this day witnessing both to small and great, saying nothing except what the prophets and Moses said should come;23 "how that the Christ must suffer, and how he should be the first to rise from the dead, and should bring a message of light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles."
14 Run swiftly after peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.