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 And they stripped him and put on him a scarlet robe,29 And platting a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a cane in his right-hand; and kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews.
21 For even hereunto are ye called; for Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye might follow his steps:
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable to 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,4 knowing that tribulation worketh patience, And patience experience, and experience hope;
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of the 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, worketh out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory:
5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our comfort also aboundeth through Christ.
29 This also is of God. For to you it is given, with regard to Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him:
1 Seeing then Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind:
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 the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and God of all comfort,4 Who comforteth us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort them who are in any affliction, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
10 Now the God of all grace, who hath called us by Christ Jesus to his eternal glory, after ye have suffered a while, himself shall perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
14 But even if ye do suffer for righteousness sake, happy are ye; and be not afraid of their terror, neither be ye troubled, But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts:
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 that taketh not his cross and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
39 He that findeth his life, shall lose it; and he that loseth his life for my sake, shall find it. He that entertaineth you, entertaineth me;
23 And in hell lifting up his eyes, being in torments, he seeth Abraham afar off and Lazarus in his bosom.24 And he cried 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 tormented in this flame.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall affliction, or distress, or persecution, or hunger, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
3 And though I give all my goods to feed the poor, and deliver up my body to be burned, and have not love, it profiteth me nothing.
22 But having obtained help from God, I continue till this day, testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what both the prophets and Moses have declared should be,23 That the Christ having suffered, and being the first who rose from the dead, should shew light to the people and to the Gentiles.
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: