All Things Working For My Good

Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, 

arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: 

for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin. 

1 Peter 4:1

The Bible has much to say concerning suffering, problems, and afflictions.  We know that suffering comes for many reasons.  Be it because God allowed it (Job), because of sin or disobedience (Jonah), because the enemy wants to distract you from your God-given assignment (Jesus) or the circumstances of life have just weighed you down (Naomi), we still recognize the sovereignty of God and realize that even though we may not see it or even understand it, it is working for the good.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.   Romans 8:28

Our goal is not to become distracted but to continue steadfast in the will of God:

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8:35-39

We know that this is a suffering way; the bible tells us so.  But, that very same bible also lets us know that we are overcomers and we are victorious through Christ Jesus!

As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Romans 8:36-37

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57

Peter lets us know that we should fortify ourselves with the knowledge that we will indeed suffer and by doing this, we are preparing ourselves mentally for what is sure to come our way.

THE PROPER ATTITUDE TOWARDS SUFFERING

Trouble is not necessarily a sign of being sinful. The Bible declares, 

"many are the afflictions of the righteous"   Psalms 34:19

When we suffer innocently and not because of our own sin as in the case of Job, we should maintain a proper attitude towards suffering.


The real test of our spirituality is how we respond in the day of distress:

If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.   Proverbs 24:10

The Bible describes the attitude we should have when we suffer as a believer within the will of God.

→      We should not be ashamed:

If any man suffer as a Christian let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God on this behalf. . .    1 Peter 4:16

→      We should commit our suffering to God, knowing He works all things for your good:

Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing as unto a faithful Creator.  1 Peter 4:19

→      We should be happy when we suffer according to the will of God:

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;   Ephesians 5:20

And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.   Acts 5:41

Apostle Paul says we should be:

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.  
Romans 12:12

. . . being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it. . .   1 Corinthians 4:1

. . . in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses. . .   2 Corinthians 6:4

Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God.  2 Timothy 1:8

That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.   1 Thessalonians 3:3

But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.   2 Timothy 4:5

→      We should not think it strange when we experience suffering:

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you, but rejoice inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that when His glory shall be revealed ye may be glad with exceeding joy.  1 Peter 4:12-13

Apostle Paul summarizes the proper attitude toward suffering when he explains. . .

. . . though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory: While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. . .   2 Corinthians 4:16-18




(Biblical Studies)




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