How to Look at Sufferings and Pain

Most of the Sufferings and pain are due to Fear. A false appeal that which can be overcome by God's mercy and grace.

Our perspective of Life that which God gave us as a gift should never be shaken by the trails and troubles. Our perspective should be like that of Job at his sufferings.

Job 1:21 NIV
and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."

1 Peter 4:12-19New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Share the Sufferings of Christ

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. 14 If you are reviled [a]for the name of Christ, you are blessed,because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a [b]troublesome meddler;16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin [c]with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved,[d]what will become of the godless man and the sinner? 19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

James 5:7-12New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Exhortation

7 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until [a]it gets the early and late rains. 8 You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. 9 Do not [b]complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing[c]right at the [d]door. 10 As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 We count thoseblessed who endured. You have heard of the [e]endurance of Job and have seenthe [f]outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and ismerciful.

12 But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but [g]your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment.

As Paul says:

2 Corinthians 4:8-10English Standard Version (ESV)

8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.

The Real Meaning of Sufferings

God allows sufferings because of many reasons, one may be to test - as in the case of JOB. Or as a reward for the wickedness of humans - like in the case of Solomon, Saul etc.

Jesus suffered for us. The real meaning of sufferings is that - God never intended to give sufferings for humans, but due to sin - The original sin and the sins of mankind over a period of time God allowed sufferings.

If God never cared for us, we would have to be in the point of sufferings for a long time, but we have a hope that Jesus suffered for us. When he says: Matthew 27:46 NIV About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" (which means "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?").

God suffered along with us, its not that he does't know what as a human could go through. We go through the suffering because of our problems and question is God not caring.

Hebrews 4:15 NIV
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet he did not sin.

God is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent - So when we see the sufferings of the humankind, we cannot understand the complete picture of why it is, because when we say that when Lazarus in the parable was suffering, he was suffering as a poor, but we forget that God allowed so that when he died he had a better place (Abraham's bosom).

The parable of the rich man and Lazarus (also called the Dives and Lazarus or Lazarus and Dives) is a well-known parable of Jesus appearing in the Gospel ofLuke. The Gospel of Luke (Luke 16:19–31) tells of the relationship, in life and in death, between an unnamed rich man and a poor beggar named Lazarus.

Luke 16:19-31New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The Rich Man and Lazarus

19 “Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day. 20 And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, 21 and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man’s table; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores. 22 Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels toAbraham’s bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and *saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony. 26 And [a]besides all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that those who wish to come over from here to you will not be able, and that none may cross over from there to us.’ 27 And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, that you send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—in order that he may warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 29 But Abraham *said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 But he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent!’ 31 But he said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”

The freewill and sufferings:
Hebrews 11:25 NIV
He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.

Moses left the Palace to serve the Israelites.

God allows us to choose things, the most important aspect of sufferings is the passion for pleasures.

Luke 12:47 NIV
"The servant who knows the master's will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows

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King of Glory

Psalm 24 (KJV)

24 The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

2 For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.

3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?

4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

5 He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

6 This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.

7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.

9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

10 Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.

The God who relives us from the Oppression

"The Lord works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed."
-Psalm 103:6 (NIV)


Isaiah 1:17 NIV

Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.


Exodus 3:7 NIV

The LORD said, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.

In the Old Testament - Chapter of Exodus 5, we could see the oppression from the king of Egypt.

Exodus 5:7 (ESV)
7 “You shall no longer give the people straw to make bricks, as in the past; let them go and gather straw for themselves.

Exodus 5 English Standard Version (ESV)

Making Bricks Without Straw

5 Afterward Moses and Aaron went and said to Pharaoh, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness.’” 2 But Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and moreover, I will not let Israel go.” 3 Then they said, “The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please let us go a three days' journey into the wilderness that we may sacrifice to the Lordour God, lest he fall upon us with pestilence or with the sword.” 4 But the king of Egypt said to them, “Moses and Aaron, why do you take the people away from their work? Get back to your burdens.” 5 And Pharaoh said, “Behold, the people of the land are now many,[a] and you make them rest from their burdens!” 6 The same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their foremen, 7 “You shall no longer give the people straw to make bricks, as in the past; let them go and gather straw for themselves. 8 But the number of bricks that they made in the past you shall impose on them, you shall by no means reduce it, for they are idle. Therefore they cry, ‘Let us go and offer sacrifice to our God.’ 9 Let heavier work be laid on the men that they may labor at it and pay no regard to lying words.”

10 So the taskmasters and the foremen of the people went out and said to the people, “Thus says Pharaoh, ‘I will not give you straw. 11 Go and get your straw yourselves wherever you can find it, but your work will not be reduced in the least.’” 12 So the people were scattered throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw. 13 The taskmasters were urgent, saying, “Complete your work, your daily task each day, as when there was straw.” 14 And the foremen of the people of Israel, whom Pharaoh's taskmasters had set over them, were beaten and were asked, “Why have you not done all your task of making bricks today and yesterday, as in the past?”

15 Then the foremen of the people of Israel came and cried to Pharaoh, “Why do you treat your servants like this? 16 No straw is given to your servants, yet they say to us, ‘Make bricks!’ And behold, your servants are beaten; but the fault is in your own people.” 17 But he said, “You are idle, you are idle; that is why you say, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to the Lord.’ 18 Go now and work. No straw will be given you, but you must still deliver the same number of bricks.” 19 The foremen of the people of Israel saw that they were in trouble when they said, “You shall by no means reduce your number of bricks, your daily task each day.” 20 They met Moses and Aaron, who were waiting for them, as they came out from Pharaoh; 21 and they said to them, “The Lord look on you and judge, because you have made us stink in the sight of Pharaoh and his servants, and have put a sword in their hand to kill us.”

22 Then Moses turned to the Lord and said, “O Lord, why have you done evil to this people? Why did you ever send me? 23 For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has done evil to this people, and you have not delivered your people at all.”

The Rich fool in the New Testament acts opposite to the above incident, where this Rich man's laziness is the wrongdoing.

Luke 12:13-21English Standard Version (ESV)

The Parable of the Rich Fool

13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down mybarns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This nightyour soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

Isaiah 1:16-18Amplified Bible (AMP)

16 Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes! Cease to do evil,

17 Learn to do right! Seek justice, relieve the oppressed, and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless, plead for the widow.

18 Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be like wool.

For God everything is possible

Matthew 19:26 (NASB)
And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

The possibility of Earth's existence and the possibility of life in it is exclusively amazing, left alone the outer space and the vastness of the universe is mind blowing that our human mind can't comprehend. So, it is very important as to why the Holy Bible gives such dominance of The Heaven and The Earth, The Stars and other planets. To comprehend such amazing power of creation and bringing everything into existence is next to impossible for this limited human mind, which just comprehends with the limit of space and time.

Colossians 1:16 (NASB)
For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.

Treasure in Heaven:
Matthew 6:19-21 (NASB)
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 
21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt
Hebrews 11:23-29 (NASB)
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. 
24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 
25 choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 
26 considering the reproach of [a]Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward. 
27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen. 
28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that he who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them. 

29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were drowned.

Speak the Word of Life

Why should there be a beginning? It is just for us human beings. The Time has been set in place for us to understand how the things of this world work. Many people in the Bible experienced the tough times have in their life and said different views about life. But God intents us to see the other way, his way.

Psalm 39:5 NIV
You have made my days a mere hand breadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure.

Jeremiah 20:18 NIV
Why did I ever come out of the womb to see trouble and sorrow and to end my days in shame?

Job 3:10 NIV
for it did not shut the doors of the womb on me to hide trouble from my eyes.

Job 14:1 NIV
"Mortals, born of woman, are of few days and full of trouble.



God spoke everything into existence:
Psalm 33:9 NIV
For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.

Hebrews 11:3 NIV
By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

Speak the word of Life:
John 14:19 NIV
Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.


John 6:60-71 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Words of Eternal Life
60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” 61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) 65 And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”

66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67 So Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” 70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the Twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.” 71 He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the Twelve, was going to betray him.


Chose the Right Words:
Luke 6:45 NIV
A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.


Luke 6:43-45 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
43 For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor, [a]on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit. 44 For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush. 45 The good man out of the good [b]treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from [c]that which fills his heart.

James 3 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The Tongue Is a Fire
3 Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a [a]stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in [b]what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. 3 Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. 4 Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. 5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.

See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our [c]life, and is set on fire by [d]hell. 7 For every [e]species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human [f]race. 8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. 11 Does a fountain send out from the same opening both [g]fresh and bitter water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce [h]fresh.

Wisdom from Above

13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and [i]selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, [j]natural, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and [k]selfish ambition exist, [l]there is disorder and every evil thing. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, [m]reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. 18 And the [n]seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace [o]by those who make peace.

What is a Prayer?

Many things has been said about it, many have said about it. But if we were to know we have to pray about it. Well Prayer is - When Jesus asks the Father, he did not ask something to be done according to his will, but the will of Father.

  Luke 22:42 NIV
"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."

The Father knows what is the best for his Son. Even more better is... Even when the Son is on the point of death, Father know what is the best that he can do for his Son. If by any means Jesus was not died on the cross, I would have have the ability to type this.

1 Corinthians 15:17 NIV
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.



The misconception about Prayer:
Many of our needs are to be fulfilled, our dreams should come true, our destiny has been attained. And we think, if we ask him like that Rich Man...


Matthew 19:16-30New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The Rich Young Ruler
16 And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?” 17 And He said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” 18 Then he *said to Him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not commit murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; 19 Honor your father and mother; and You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man *said to Him, “All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be [a]complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 22 But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.

23 And Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 25 When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, “Then who can be saved?” 26 And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 


So, What is Prayer and why should we Pray?

Prayer alters our thinking:

Its not just allowing us to think us right, but completely alters. Changing our thinking. Prayer enables us to understand that the Holy Spirit will lead and guide us in the way that God wanted us to move, rather than we asking God to move in a particular direction. See what David says:

Psalm 23:4 NIV
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Many of us walk in the deep dark valley of life and we forget few things. The first and the foremost thing we forget is that, "God is with us". Jesus promised us that he Matthew 28:20 NIV
and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Of course we should be doing what is right and good according to his word and will.


Our perspective of life:

Prayer is the one thing that changed Paul's life, that is why he got the thought of being content. Prayer gets us closer to God. Of course God is very closer than what we could imagine about, but our perspective of him, being a God is outside of our thinking.

James 4:8 NIV
Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Relationship

Prayer gives us a clear understanding of the relationship we have with our Father, Communication in relationship is very much important. Jesus said,

John 5:19 NIV
Jesus gave them this answer: "Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.


Prayer focuses us to him, who is the author and finisher of our Faith.

When Paul says, Jesus - as the author and finisher of our Faith, he meant that, Jesus' relationship with the Father gave us the understanding about what an author would do giving us a prologue of his work and how an athlete wins the cup having run the complete round without losing the hope and finishes the race.

Hebrews 12:2 NIV
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The prayer of Gethsemane teaches all the above aspects of Prayer and even more:

Matthew 26:36-56English Standard Version (ESV)

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch[a] with me.” 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on.[b] See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”