20 Bible Verses to Combat Anxiety

20 Bible Verses to Combat Anxiety

We have been living through a pandemic for a whole year.  For almost 13 months, we've seen news updates about the pandemic which always spark debates because this thing has everyone in a tizzy.  The politics surrounding the pandemic is unbelievable and opinions stretch as far right and as far left as you can possibly get. There aren't a whole lot of people like me in the middle just trying to do the right thing.  There are a lot of other things in the news these days that also might add to our anxious thoughts.  If the COVID-19 pandemic or anything else going on in your life has you feeling anxious, let me encourage you to turn off the TV, get off of social media, set some time aside, and turn to the only One who can ease your anxiety.  I know you're busy.  Everybody is busy doing something but resolve to set aside some time, whether it be 15 minutes or 2 hours.  Just unplug, take a deep breath, and open up your Bible.  Take a few minutes to consider the following Bible verses to combat anxiety.  Read them.  Study them.  Meditate on them.  Underline them in your Bible or highlight them with your favorite color highlighter.  Come back to them again and again and again.  God is the only real source of relief and peace during turbulent times.  Turn your eyes, your heart, and your mind to Him and to Him alone so that you can leave your anxious thoughts at the feet of Jesus and find true peace over your situations.

Bible Verses to Combat Anxiety

1. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. - Psalm 94:19

2. Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. - Proverbs 12:25

3. The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. - Psalm 34:17

4. But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” - Jeremiah 17:7-8

5. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. - 2 Timothy 1:7

6. But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. - Isaiah 40:31

7. Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. - Hebrews 11:1

8. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. - John 14:27

9. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6-7

10. Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. - Psalm 55:22

11. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. - Proverbs 3:5-6

12. Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. - Luke 12:22

13. I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. - Psalm 34:4

14. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. - 1 Peter 5:7

15. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 8:38-39

16. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. - Matthew 11:28-30

17. Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. - 2 Thessalonians 3:16

18. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. - Philippians 4:13

19. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened and do not be dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. - Joshua 1:9

20. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. - Jeremiah 29:11

This wall art featuring Jeremiah 29:ll is available here.

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20 Bible Verses to Combat Anxiety

How to Live Life With Wide Open Generosity

How to Live Life With Wide Open Generosity

The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon titled Wide Open Generosity.  You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

Generosity is more about what God wants for us than what God wants from us.

William Borden owned Borden Diary.  He was wealthy as a young man.  He grew up under R.A Tory.  Borden traveled the world.  He had a heart for people.  Borden once went back to Yale University to meet with two men.  They would pray together.  This group eventually grew to over 1000 people.  Eventually Borden would sale to China but he first stopped in Egypt to study Arabic.  He wanted to minister to Muslims.  While in Egypt, Borden became ill with spinal meningitis.  He died one month later.  He was only 25 years old.  Before his death, he had penned three words:  No reserve, no retreats, no regrets.  In his young years, Borden lived his life in wide open generosity.  I know I'm leaving out so much information about William Borden's life.  Please learn more about this man who was sold out to Christ here.

Ho do we live our lives with wide open generosity?

1.  Believe God to do the Impossibly.

God told Sarah that she would have a baby in her old age.  

And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. - Hebrews 11:11-12

Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son. - Genesis 18:14

We never need to lose hope. We must trust God. By faith, Sarah conceived. God is always faithful. He always keeps his promises.

And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. - Hebrews 11:12

God doesn't call us to religion. He calls us to relationship.

2.  Be willing to sacrifice in a significant way.  

A faith that cannot be tested cannot be trusted.

In Genesis 22, Abraham's faith was tested.  Who did Abraham love more, the blessing or the blesser?  He loved the blesser.

We must love our blesser.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." - Matthew 16:24

We must be willing to let go of anything that does not honor God.  Let go of anything you love more than God.

3. Be assured that God keeps His promises.

After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision:  “Do not be afraid, Abram.  I am your shield, your very great reward, your very great reward. - Genesis 15:1

 Abraham was afraid.  He struggles with fear and doubt.

But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.”

Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” - Genesis 15:2-5

The stars and the sand cannot be counted, yet when Abraham considered the stars, he considered you.

God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly devoted to Him.

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How to Live Life With Wide Open Generosity

The world is offended.  Seriously, some days I feel like everyone is offended over any given number of offenses.  Small offenses or bigger ones, it really doesn't matter.  All that seems to matter is everyone's opinions and everyone is right.  Everyone suddenly becomes an expert over any given number of topics and if anyone doesn't agree with them, then "anyone" is wrong.  But I have a confession to make.  I'm easily offended.  I'm not so much offended over differing opinions or views.  That's just life.  Everyone is unique with differing God-given skills and talents.  That's the way God created us.  I'm not offended over the uniqueness that God created in all of us.  I'm easily offended when someone criticizes ME or something I've said or done.  It has been often said that I can't take a joke.  Well, I can as long as the said joke doesn't criticize a person's character.  In my personal case, I'm easily offended when someone brings to my attention that I have acted in error or performed a task that doesn't measure up to my criticizer's standards.  I carry my heart on my sleeve.  I don't like criticism even if it is intended as constructive criticism.  This is a serious problem for me because this character flaw (one of many) causes me to react negatively instead of responding positively.  Sometimes my reactions cause rifts in my relationships with others, especially those closest to me who always endure the "privilege" of hearing my said reactions.

What does the Bible say about being easily offended.

As a result of my very recent reaction to the criticism of something I did, I did something I should have done a long time ago.  I went to God's Word to explore what the Bible says about being easily offended.  I know what God says about being easily offended in general, but I wanted a list of Bible verses to turn to when I become easily offended in the future.  It will happen again and "truth be told," it will happen to you too.  No one really likes to hear someone else bring to our attention a character flaw (we all have them) or criticize something we have said or done.  

I've been working on a prayer strategy like I learned about in the movie, War Room.  I will soon have a war room (part of a closet) in my home.  I also bought an ammo box that will become my battle box.  My prayer requests will be attached to my closet wall much like Clara's closet in War Room.  My battle box will be geared more toward my growth in my relationship with Jesus.  I've decided that these verses about being easily offended will be placed in my battle box.  Whenever I feel offended, I'll go to my battle box.  I'll go to war against Satan and his intention to destroy my relationship with my Lord and with the people around me.  

 Now, let's get to those verses.

What does the Bible say about being easily offended?

Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you. Your heart knows that many times you yourself have cursed others. - Ecclesiastes 7:21-22                               (Wow, this one stepped on my toes.  How often have I been critical of others?  Probably more than I realize.)

And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil. - 2 Timothy 2:24

The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent. - Exodus 14:14

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The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult. - Proverbs - 22:16

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. - 1 Peter 5:8

Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the good sense of your words. - Proverbs 23:9 (Let's not be fools and despise the wise words of others.) 

A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back. - Proverbs 29:11

For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. - 1 John 2:16

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. - Hebrews 12:11

But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. - 1 Corinthians 8:9

You shall be hidden from the lash of the tongue, and shall not fear destruction when it comes. - Job 5:21

A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty, but a fool's provocation is heavier than both. Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy? Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy. - Proverbs 27:3-6

Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. - Proverbs 19:11

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. - James 1:19

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. - James 1:12

A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle. - Proverbs 18:19

Now let's take this one step further.  When we are criticized by others, whether it was meant to be harmful or not, we have to learn to forgive others when they have committed an offense against us.  The said offense might have been words alone or perhaps the hurtful words were attached to a hurtful action.  Either way, forgiveness is a vital part of our spiritual growth.  Forgiveness is sometimes hard for me (another character flaw -  I have many), but the Bible has a lot to say about forgiveness.  Come back soon for a list of Bible verses about the topic of forgiveness.  In the meantime, consider checking out the following resources about forgiveness.

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What does the Bible say about being easily offended?

Jesus Worshiped (Jesus Habits Series)

We are currently studying Jesus habits.  Jesus had no bad habits.  He lived a perfect life.  If we could all copy the good habits of Jesus, the world would be a much better place. Can you think of bad habits in your life?  We all have good and bad habits.  Our habits can make us or break us.  Your habits determine the direction of your life.  When we live like Jesus, it changes everything.  When we live like Jesus, it is called Christ-likeness.  Jesus worshiped.

Jesus worshiped.  We should worship like Jesus.

The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon.  You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

If you are a Christ follower, then Jesus lives in you.  

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. - Galatians 2:20

If you have given your life to Christ, He has given Himself to you.

The one who says that he remains in Him ought, himself also, walk just as He walked. - 1 John 2:6

We should live as Jesus did.  His habits should be our habits.

Jesus Worshiped

Worship is an expression, an experience, an encounter with God. When we worship, we are glorifying God.  We were created to glorify God.  Jesus glorified God.  Jesus worshiped every day of His life.  Worship was a lifestyle of Jesus.  Worship in the life of Jesus was both private and public.

1.  The Worship Habit of Jesus

Jesus grew up in a home where worship was a priority.

And when the days for their purification according to the Law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord. - Luke 2:22

His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. ⁴² And when He was twelve years old, they went up there according to the custom of the feast. - Luke 2:41-42

And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and people. - Luke 2:52

Your kids will never prioritize what you marginalize.  Make worship a priority for your family every Sunday. - Pastor Paul Purvis

Jesus began His ministry by attending a worship service.

And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. - Luke 4:16

Jesus worshiped every day.

At that time Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would against a man inciting a revolt? Every day I used to sit within the temple grounds teaching, and you did not arrest Me. - Matthew 26:55

Jesus was passionate about worship.

His disciples remembered that it was written: “Zeal for Your house will consume me.” - John 2:17

Jesus' Passion in Worship:

Jesus sang worship songs.

And after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. - Mark 14:26

Jesus loved to see children participate in worship.

But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that He had done, and the children who were shouting in the temple area, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they became indignant, ¹⁶ and they said to Him, “Do You hear what these children are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never read, ‘From the mouths of infants and nursing babies You have prepared praise for Yourself’?”- Matthew 21:15-16

Jesus loved to see people fed from the Word. 

And yet they could not find anything that they might do, for all the people were hanging on to every word He said. - Luke 19:48

And all the people would get up very early in the morning to come to Him in the temple to listen to Him. - Luke 21:38

Jesus was passionate about giving as an act of worship.

And Jesus sat down opposite the treasury, and began watching how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large amounts. - Mark 12:41

Jesus' Promise About Worship

For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst. - Matthew 18:20

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Worship is Powerful!

2.  What does the habit of worship look like in our lives?

Everybody worships.  The question is not about whether or not we worship.  The question is about what we worship.  Worshiping wrongly results in emptiness and misery.

"Without Worship, we go about miserable."  - A.W. Tozer

True worship is not a place.

 God's Word tells us about the place of worship in our lives when it comes to priority.

Not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. - Hebrews 10:25

True worship is not about us.

We cannot make worship about ourselves.  Worship is not about our feelings, but about whether or not God is honored.  It is about whether or not our hearts are right so that God can be honored by us.

"Worship is the strategy by which we interrupt our preoccupation with ourselves, and attend to the presence of God." - Eugene Peterson 

True worship has requirements.

As the priests entered the house of God, there was a procedure as they entered the presence of God.  They didn't just show up and automatically worship.

Now even the first covenant had regulations for divine worship and the earthly sanctuary. - Hebrews 9:1

Read more about the detailed procedure for worship described in Hebrews 9 here at Bible Gateway. 

In Old Testament times, people who entered into the worship area (before the Holy of Holies), they came into the courtyard.  At the entrance was a brazen altar.  On the brazen alter, sacrifices were offered non stop.  It probably smelled horrible but it was a reminder to the people of their sins.  The symbolism of this tabernacle sacrifice points to Jesus in the future.  This carries over into the New Testament.

Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. - Romans 12:1

Worship begins when we yield ourselves to God and give Him everything.

Back in the courtyard of the tabernacle, there was a piece of furniture called a laver.  The laver was a huge bowl of water.  The priest was to wash his hands and feet before he went any further into the presence of God.  We are talking about cleansing.  Dirty hands and feet (dirty hearts) are a contradiction to true worship. 

This people honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far away from Me. - Matthew 15:8

In this condition,  our joy is gone.  Our focus is gone.  God is not honored.

Through Him then, let’s continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips praising His name. - Hebrews 13:15 (Now we are ready to worship.)

What does it look like to continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God?

It is praise, thanksgiving, singing.  It is the Word of God.  It is prayer, giving, and serving.  Worship is also nourishing, strengthening, healing, refreshing, and contagious. 

Worship is costly.

Worship cannot happen inside the church unless it first begins outside the church.

True worship is what God is seeking.

Worship is a matter of the heart.  It is about a truthful heart and an humble spirit - a repentant sinner abandoning all hypocrisy.   

Read the story about the woman at the well in the gospel of John, chapter 4.  The first person Jesus revealed Himself to as the Messiah in the book of John was a failed, despised woman who knew nothing but failure.  Jesus tells this woman that He is looking for people like her to worship Him.

God is looking for people YOU to worship Him.  

The best worshipers come with their brokenness, scars, failures . . . and God opens His heart to them.  Their hearts are forever changed.  

God is searching for true worshipers.  Being a true worshiper is a daily habit, just like Jesus.  

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Jesus worshiped. We should worship like Jesus (Jesus Habits)

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A Study Through the Psalms

The book of Psalms is a book of songs, poems, and hymns.  Some of them are psalms of Thanksgiving.  Some of them are songs of lament.  A psalm of lament is a psalm of tears, grief, and frustration.

Psalm 126:  A Psalm of Thanksgiving for Return from Captivity
A Song of Ascents

1.  When the Lord brought back the captive ones of Zion,
We were like those who dream.

2.  Then our mouth was filled with laughter
And our tongue with joyful shouting;
Then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”

3.  The Lord has done great things for us;
We are glad.
 

This Psalm 126:3 wall art is available here.

4.  Restore our captivity, O Lord,
As the streams in the South.

5.  Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting.

6.  He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed,
Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

The superscription for Psalm 126 means "Psalm of Ascent."  There are 14 psalms of ascent.  Psalms of ascent were traveling psalms.

If you are in a bad place in your life and you then  your situation will never end, it will.  Someday your circumstances will change.  As we read through Psalm 126, you'll notice how quickly circumstances can change.  In verse 2, the psalmist writes of laughter.  In verse 5, the psalmist writes of sowing in tears.

Just like circumstances can quickly change from bad to good, circumstances can also quickly change from good to bad.  No matter how wonderful things might seem right now, you will shed tears again.  If you are in a season of sorrow right now, God can and will use your circumstances for His good.  He can use them for your good too.  Don't waste your sorrow.  Allow God to use it.

What can we learn from Psalm 126?

1.  There will be lots of tears in life. 

Tears are OK.  God gave us tear ducts for a reason.  Tears can be joyful or sorrowful.

Don't make laughter the goal of your life because you can't laugh all the time.  The Bible teaches us there there is a time to laugh and also a time to mourn.  In fact, the Bible tells us that there is an appointed time for everything.

There is an appointed time for everything. 
And there is a time for every event under heaven—

² A time to give birth and a time to die;
A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.

³ A time to kill and a time to heal;
A time to tear down and a time to build up.

⁴ A time to weep and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn and a time to dance.

⁵ A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing.

⁶ A time to search and a time to give up as lost;
A time to keep and a time to throw away.

⁷ A time to tear apart and a time to sew together;
A time to be silent and a time to speak.

⁸ A time to love and a time to hate;
A time for war and a time for peace. - Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

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 Even Jesus cried.

Jesus wept. -  John 11:35

When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it. - Luke 19:41

In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety. - Hebrews 5:7

Crying is part of being human.

2.  There will be even more tears when you live the Christ centered life.  

The more you get serious about following Jesus, you will weep more, not less.  What does it mean to get serious about following Jesus?  What does it mean to be saved?  Learn more here.

When you get saved, you get a new heart.  Of course, you don't get a physical new heart, but you get a new heart condition - a heart for the Lord.  When Christ comes into your heart, your heart becomes tender.  As Christ followers with new hearts, we will weep when we see evil and hurt around us.  We will weep as we see millions being deceived by Satan and believing his lies.

Our sin should make us weep.

Don't avoid or suppress your tears.  We learn in Psalm 126:5 that tears produce joy.  

God is full of grace and deeply loves us.

Let's take a look at another Psalm.  Let's read Psalm 139.

O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
 
² You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
You understand my thought from afar.
 
³ You scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.
 
⁴ Even before there is a word on my tongue,
Behold, O Lord, You know it all.
 
⁵ You have enclosed me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
 
⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is too high, I cannot attain to it.

⁷ Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?

⁸ If I ascend to heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.

⁹ If I take the wings of the dawn,
If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,

¹⁰ Even there Your hand will lead me,
And Your right hand will lay hold of me.

¹¹ If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me,
And the light around me will be night,”

¹² Even the darkness is not dark to You,
And the night is as bright as the day.
Darkness and light are alike to You.

¹³ For You formed my inward parts;
You wove me in my mother’s womb.

¹⁴ I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.

¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;

¹⁶ Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;
And in Your book were all written
The days that were ordained for me,
When as yet there was not one of them.

¹⁷ How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!

¹⁸ If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand.
When I awake, I am still with You.

¹⁹ O that You would slay the wicked, O God;
Depart from me, therefore, men of bloodshed.

²⁰ For they speak against You wickedly,
And Your enemies take Your name in vain.

²¹ Do I not hate those who hate You, O Lord?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?

²² I hate them with the utmost hatred;
They have become my enemies.

²³ Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;

²⁴ And see if there be any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way. - Psalm 139

God's heart is attracted to our tears.  When we weep, he hears us.  He loves us so much that he sent us a Redeemer and this world so desperately needs a Redeemer.  You can tell Jesus anything and you can cry freely when you talk to Him.

Our world is broken and we should weep more.  Our hearts should break over all that breaks the heart of God.

Tears are not forever for those of us who know Jesus - for those of us who have a relationship with Him, but for those who do not know Him, their tears will never end.

Come to Jesus right now.  God will catch your tears. 

Read all posts in this series here.

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Psalm 126:  God Loves You (Summer Playlist Series)

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Why Does God Allow Suffering (Asking for a Friend Series)

Why Does God Allow Suffering (Asking for a Friend Series)

This is a question many of us ask all the time, even seasoned Christians.  The question is "Why does God allow suffering?"

My pastor helps us answer this question in his sermon titled "Why Does God Allow Suffering?"  The following are my Bible study notes based on his sermon.

You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

Why Does God Allow Suffering?

My pastor refers us to Romans 8.  You can read those verses here.

Let's focus on Romans 8:18 for a moment and hold onto its truth.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. - Romans 8:18

This Romans 8:18 wall art is available here.

Suffering is temporary.  Glory awaits us.

When we experience suffering, we tend to point fingers at God.

When things are good, we say God is good but when things are bad, we blame God.  Some people think God allows suffering because He doesn't care about us.

The Bible tells us that God cares about us so much that He even knows the number of hairs on our heads.  

The Bible also tells us that we are to love others because God first loved us.

We love because He first loved us. - 1 John 4:19

This Scripture artwork is available here.

 
God doesn't just care about us.  He LOVES us.

But still, why is there suffering in the first place?  Suffering is brought on by:

- Our sinful choices.
- Other's sinful choices. (drugs, suicide, affair, etc.)
- Satan himself brings havoc into our lives.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. - John 10:10

John 10:10 is the verse on which I am building this blog.  Satan intends to steal, kill, and destroy us but Jesus came so that we may have life and have it abundantly.

Our world is deeply broken.  Ask God what He wants to tell you through your suffering.

How do we make sense of suffering?

Truths About Suffering

1.  This world is not right.  It is broken and in need of a Savior.
2.  We are not innocent.  No one is guiltless.
3.  God is not indifferent.  His grace is sufficient.
4.  This life is not ultimate.  Heaven awaits us.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. - Romans 8:28

5.  God never wastes our hurt.  He can use our hurt for good.

Good Things That Come Out of Suffering

Suffering can turn us back to God and eternal things.

It is good for me that I was afflicted,
That I may learn Your statutes. - Psalm 119:71

Suffering can grow us and prepare us for greater things.

And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance. - Romans 5:3

Suffering produces perseverance,  character, and hope.

Suffering can be used to help others.

Who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. - 2 Corinthians 1:4

We can disciple others out of suffering because of our own suffering.

God can take our suffering and brokenness and turn it into beautiful things.  We need to stop wallowing in past grief and let God us us.

Suffering can bring our worst or our best to the surface.  Do we love God when things are good AND when things are bad?

Job is a good example for us.  He didn't curse God through his suffering.

We don't need an explanation for our suffering.  We need a Savior.

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. - Romans 8:1

All the suffering we have gone through doesn't begin to compare to the suffering of Jesus.  

How do we prepare for suffering?  We cling to Jesus.

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.  For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. - Hebrews 4:14-16

We are all fellow sufferers.  We ALL need Jesus.

Without Jesus, your suffering will never end.  

With Jesus, you can look forward to an eternity in Heaven.

Are you ready for eternity?  Learn more here. 

Read all posts in this series here.

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Why Does God Allow Suffering (Asking for a Friend Series)