What does the Bible say about suffering?

The Bible speaks often of suffering in the lives of the faithful. As you deal with the deaths of Bill Koehn, Martha Myers and Kathy Gariety, you may find this sampling of Scriptures helpful.

We are called to suffer for Christ’s sake.

Philippians 1:29, NKJV
For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.

2 Timothy 3:12, NKJV
Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

Matthew 16:24-25, NKJV
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”

It is normal to feel pain as a result of suffering.

Mark 14:33-34, NKJV
And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful even to death. Stay here and watch.”

Those who suffer for Christ’s sake do not suffer and die in vain.

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

Matthew 10:28, NKJV
“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

John 12: 24-26, NKJV
“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. … If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.”

Romans 8:18-19, NKJV
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.

We should be examples of love and mercy.

Luke 6:35-36, NKJV
“But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.”

Many who pleased God also suffered.

Jesus
1 Peter 2:21-23, NKJV
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who commited no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.

Peter and John
Acts 4:1, 3, NKJV
Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them, … And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.

Stephen
Acts 7:59, NKJV
And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

Paul and Silas
Acts 16:22-23, NKJV
Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely.

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