2. GOD has a purpose
behind every
problem.

3. 1 Peter 4:12
New International Version (NIV)
Suffering for Being a Christian
12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery
ordeal that has come on you to test you, as
though something strange were happening to
you.

4. John 16:33
New International Version (NIV)
33 “I have told you these things, so that in
me you may have peace. In this world
you will have trouble. But take heart! I
have overcome the world.”

5. GOD uses PROBLEMS
to draw YOU closer to
HIMSELF.

6. Psalm 34:18
New International Version (NIV)
18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in
spirit.

7. We LEARN things about
GOD in suffering that we
can’t LEARN any other
way.

8. Genesis 39:20-23
GOD could have kept Joseph
out of jail.

9. Jeremiah 38:6
GOD could have kept
Jeremiah from being tossed
into a slimy pit.

10. Daniel 6:16-23
GOD could have kept Daniel
out if the lion’s den.

11. 2 Corinthians 11:25-27
GOD could have kept Paul
from being shipwrecked three
times.

12. Daniel 3:16-27
GOD could have kept the three
Hebrew young men from being
thrown into the blazing furnace.

13. But GOD didn’t STOP any of these
things from happening. He let
those PROBLEMS from
happen, and every one of those
persons was drawn closer to GOD
as a result.

14. PROBLEMS also force us
to look to GOD and to
depend on HIM instead of
OURSELVES.

15. 2 Corinthians 1:9
New International Version (NIV)
9 Indeed, we felt we had received the
sentence of death. But this happened that
we might not rely on ourselves but on God,
who raises the dead.

16. Because GOD is sovereignly in
control, accidents are just
incidents in GOD’s good plan
for you.

17. Romans 8:28
New International Version (NIV)
28 And we know that in all things God
works for the good of those who love
him, who[a] have been called according
to his purpose.

18. Every PROBLEM is a character
building opportunity, and the
more difficult it is, the greater the
potential for building spiritual
muscle and moral fiber.

19. Romans 5:3-4
New International Version (NIV)
3 Notonly so, but we[a] also glory in our
sufferings, because we know that suffering
produces perseverance; 4 perseverance,
character; and character, hope.

20. Since GOD intends to make
you like JESUS, He will take
you through the same
experiences JESUS went
through.

21. Romans 8:17
New International Version (NIV)
17 Now if we are
children, then we are heirs
—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if
indeed we share in his sufferings in order
that we may also share in his glory.

22. PROBLEMS don’t automatically
produce what GOD intends. Many
people become bitter, rather than
better, and never grow up. You
have to respond the way JESUS
would.

23. 1. To deal with
SUFFERING as JESUS
did, remember that’s
GOD’s plan is good.

24. Jeremiah 29:11
New International Version (NIV)
11 For
I know the plans I have for you,”
declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you
and not to harm you, plans to give you hope
and a future.

25. Joseph understood this
truth when he told his
brothers who had sold him
into slavery.

26. Genesis 50:20
New International Version (NIV)
20 You intended to harm me, but God
intended it for good to accomplish what
is now being done, the saving of many
lives.

27. Hebrews 12:10
New International Version (NIV)
10 Theydisciplined us for a little while as
they thought best; but God disciplines us for
our good, in order that we may share in his
holiness.

28. 2. To deal with SUFFERING
as JESUS did, we must
rejoice and give thanks in
the midst of it.

29. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
New International Version (NIV)
18 give thanks in all circumstances; for
this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

30. 3. To deal with
SUFFERING as JESUS
did, refuse to give up.

31. James 1:3-4
New International Version (NIV)
3 because you know that the testing of your
faith produces perseverance. 4 Let
perseverance finish its work so that you may
be mature and complete, not lacking
anything.