Why does God allow suffering in the lives of Christians?
God allows suffering because it is the only way His glory will be seen through us. We are afflicted in every way but not crushed, struck down but not destroyed, always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body (2 Corinthians 4:8-10). If we are going to blow the trumpet, God is going to break the vessel, for the battle we face cannot be fought or won by our own power or strength; it has to be fought in weakness, and that is how God displays His power. Every time the vessel is broken, the light shines out and God routs the enemy.
Source: The Basics The Basics, Unit 4, Lesson 4-5 - Empowering—The Spirit (Review q7) · Read this lesson in the book →
What this answer is about
Related questions
- What Old Testament story might Paul have had in mind when he wrote this verse (2 Corinthians 4:7)? Tell the story.Same lesson · The Basics · Lesson 4–5: Empowering—The Spirit
- Explain the five techniques of the Christian life.2 Corinthians 12:9-10 · The Basics · Lesson 4–5: Empowering—The Spirit
- What does the Bible teach about suffering?Zechariah 4:6 · The Basics
- What are the five reasons why God allows pressure and crisis in our lives?Zechariah 4:6 · The Basics
- What does the Bible teach about small things and their significance in God's plan?Zechariah 4:6 · The Basics
- What does the Bible teach about human power versus God's power?Zechariah 4:6 · The Basics
See also
- Why did God allow a messenger of Satan to buffet Paul?Same lesson · The Basics · Lesson 4–5: Empowering—The Spirit
- Why did God say no to Paul’s prayer that He take away the thorn in Paul’s flesh?Same lesson · The Basics · Lesson 4–5: Empowering—The Spirit
- What was Paul’s reaction to God’s answer?Same lesson · The Basics · Lesson 4–5: Empowering—The Spirit
- What was Paul’s secret to contentment?Same lesson · The Basics · Lesson 4–5: Empowering—The Spirit
- What does Paul mean in 2 Corinthians 4:7 when he says “we have this treasure in earthen vessels”? What are the vessels? What is the treasure?Same lesson · The Basics · Lesson 4–5: Empowering—The Spirit
Scripture this answer rests on
Also printed on these pages
Where this is taught in the book
Scripture is not BTBM’s to license: the references above link to Blue Letter Bible (NASB95), and the verse text shown on this page is served by BLB under their own license and terms.