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The Whys of Suffering, Affliction, and Trials

I am a firm believer that we should never ever ask God "why?" because I know that the devil can speak to me through my thoughts or conscience just as God can speak to me through my thoughts and conscience. So why would I ever ask "why?" and invite the devil into my brain? Why would I ever, ever invite the evil one into my head space? We can discern, using the Bible, who is messing with our thoughts, but I'd rather never open that opportunity up with an invite. I learned this so very long ago in my younger days and have practiced not asking "why?" for so long that it has become second nature to me and I never feel the temptation to ask. Instead, I just lean on God and know that He is good all the time.

I have long wanted to find time to read and study my Good News magazines from days of old which were published by Concordia Mission Society. I loved them and collected them, but never had time to study them. I decided to make it a goal to study one and since I had been going through some struggles in recent years, I picked the one with the topic of "Trials and Afflictions." As I studied it over a six month or so period of time, I decided to create a list of what the Bible says to me are the reasons why people suffer, have afflictions, and have trials. I think this will be a good list to utilize in the future.

This list helps me realize that I may never know the reason why and to keep doing what I have been doing in resting on the God who loves me. Sure, I could try to guess which one might be applicable in whatever current situation I might be in, but who am I to know the reasoning of God? Sometimes we just have to let our "I do not know" be the answer. Just let it be. April 16, 2023

THE LIST

Genesis 50:20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. God used a problem to bless all people. Jacob/Israel grieved the loss of his son for 22 years. He was the victim of evil. He bore a trial not of his own making, but often family (Gen 37:12-36, 45-47).

Exodus 16:1-4 God tests my faith and trust in Him through trials.

Joshua 7:9 Israel has sinned; they have transgressed my covenant that I commanded them;

Job 2:3 "And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason.” Job was a God-fearing, blameless, and upright man and did not deserve trials, but God allowed it to test Job's faith in order to prove to satan just how God-fearing Job was. A faltering faith might give in to sin, but Job passed his test.

Psalm 51:16-17 David in the day of trouble does not bargain with God. He offers nothing to God. God does not want offerings or good works. He wants confession of the heart.

Psalm 119:50  God never promises us an easy life and that He will make our afflictions go away. But He does promise us eternal life and that is where our comfort is found.

Jeremiah 49:12  "For thus says the Lord: “If those who did not deserve to drink the cup must drink it, will you go unpunished? You shall not go unpunished, but you must drink." There are Edomites (nation founded by Esau, the brother of Isaac, Jacob's sons) who have to drink the cup of God's wrath or the cup of God's judgment even though they did not deserve it. These upright Edomites suffered trials because of the sins of others.

John 9:1-41 For the blind man, that the works of God might be displayed in him.

2 Corinthians 3-4   Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 Paul's "thorn was given me in the flesh, to keep me from becoming conceited" so that I instead boast on Christ's strength that gets me through my weaknesses; Paul asked for relief and received Christ's strength to be sufficient on God.

2 Corinthians 13:11 God's love trumps all else! However, this God of love also permits pain and tears to strengthen and bless His children.

2 Corinthians 1:3-7 God allows difficult times so that we can later comfort someone else with the same comfort God shows towards us.

1 Peter 1:6-7 ", so that the tested genuineness of your faith—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

Hebrews 12:5-12 We must endure troubles in this world because the "why" might be God's discipline like an earthly father disciplines his children because He loves them. We need discipline because we sin.

Romans 3:3-5 Suffering-endurance-character-hope is the chain of Christian growth. I suffer to gain the last three.

Revelation 3:19 Not all times, but sometimes, my afflictions are punishment for my own sinning and God disciplines.