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Suffering

Called to Suffer?

What are your thoughts about suffering in general? Do you believe man is destined to suffer in some way or form for the purpose of learning? If you think you are not suffering in your life at this present time then do you think it may be because you are not doing more to live the life of Christ? See here:
https://library.georgetowncollege.edu/Staff/Dealing.htm

Suffering

I think that part of the ordeal of suffering does come in a person's mindset. Obviously things are going to go wrong in life, and there isn't always anything we can do to stop it, but a person's attitude is what really distinguishes suffering from enduring conflict. It's easy to look at a rough situation and let yourself become down and depressed. The Bible does mention in James to be joyful when you are enduring trials and tribulations. I've noticed that when I have a bad situation in front of me, and I keep a positive attitude, it doesn't seem so bad.

Suffering and dealing with problems is supposed to be a part of our life. If we never had anything bad happen in our lives, we wouldn't learn and we wouldn't know how to be truly thankful. A lot of times we have so much more gratitude for life when we are just coming out of a rough situation.

I don't necessarily think that just because a person may not be going through any kind of suffering automatically means they are not living for Christ as they should be. The Bible does tell us we will have come suffering, but our life isn't supposed to be one big suffering. If I never had any trials or tribulations, then I would wonder if I were living for Christ in an effective manner.

Suffering Revealed Bible The

From what I understand, it's suffering that helps us to grow, to go through the "refiner's fire" as it were. The blessings come after the trial of our faith (that's a quote from someone, but I can't remember who right this minute). I know some folks who have nothing but trouble in their lives, one thing after another, and others who seem never to have any trouble at all. Is one more spiritual or living more righteously than the other? I'm sure I couldn't tell the difference. I believe that suffering is often (not always) the catalyst for change in a person's life: they either grow stronger in faith or renounce it altogether. I don't think I've ever seen anyone stay "on the fence" after serious hardship.

In my opinion, of course.
Roz