Suffering: An Opportunity for Praise?

Suffering will come.

"...the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives."

2 Corinthians 1: 5 niv

Comfort will come.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,

who comforts us in all our troubles..."

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 niv

Our suffering helps 
us comfort others.

"...He brings us alongside someone else who is going 

through hard times so that we can be there for that person 

just as God was there for us."

2 Corinthians 1:4 msg

Suffering—the best thing?

"It was so bad we didn't think we were going to make it.

We felt like we'd been sent to death row, that it was all 

over for us. As it turned out, it was the best thing that 

could have happened. Instead of trusting in our own strength

or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally —

not a bad idea since He's the God who raises the dead!

2 Corinthians 1:8-9 msg

Suffering brings rescue.

"And He did it, rescued us from certain doom.

And He'll do it again, rescuing us as 

many times as we need rescuing."

2 Corinthians 1:10 msg

 

Suffering opens up prayer.

"You and your prayers are part of the rescue operation."

2 Corinthians 1:11 msg

Suffering leads to praise...

"I can see your faces even now, lifted in praise for 

God's deliverance of us, a resuce in which 

your prayers played such a crucial part.'

2 Corinthians 1:11 msg

when we stay focused on Him.

"Now that the worst is over, we're pleased we can report

that we've come out of this with conscience and faith intact,

and can face the world — and even more importantly,

face you with our heads held high.

But it wasn't any fancy footwork on our part.

It was God who kept us focused on Him, uncompromised. 

2 Corinthians 1:12 msg