when tragedy strikes
why suffering?
the suffering of fools
temptations, tests, and trials
why does God test man, part one
testing and the education of life
what my cat taught me about testing, and trusting
We saw last time that God tests man 1) to humble our pride and cause us to seek Him, and 2) to know our hearts, and the depth of our obedience, love, and faithfulness to Him.
3) To refine us and remove the dross from us. Testing refines us, just as pressure turns coal into diamonds, and heat separates the dross from the silver.
God loves us and does not want us to live with the diseased and broken bits, the deeply held lies inside our hearts, because they are toxic and crippling. Whatever dross remains in us after our conversion – and here I am talking about our hearts and minds, our convictions, beliefs, and worldview; not our spirit which has been washed clean in the blood of Jesus – contributes motivation for foolish and sinful behavior. God does not desire the consequences of foolishness or sinfulness to afflict us, which would surely happen if the dross were left in us.
He does not desire our strength as a vessel of His grace to this world to be weakened, as would surely happen if the dross were left in us. And He does not desire His name to be blasphemed in the world, as would surely happen if the dross were left in us, since we are called by His name.
4) To prepare us for ministry. People in positions of ministry and leadership can do so much damage to those who are under them or who are weaker, if they are living for themselves, harboring secret sin, or are otherwise compromised. For the sake of His flock, I believe the Lord tests those He has called into ministry more than the average Christian. For this reason also our churches should be very careful about who they promote or appoint in ministry.
The problem of testing brings to light a final biblical reason for suffering — a fourth reason (yes, I said there were three, I was wrong about that, LOL).
we are the clay
judging suffering
when we suffer: a warning
help when we hurt
flip the switch
the poetry of drawing near
hearts wounded by suffering
what my thimble taught me
pride: the hidden problem with hardness
portrait of a yielded heart
the poetry of a yielded heart
comfort when we suffer
taking comfort: psalm 42
the poetry of taking comfort
comfort, comfort, o my people
comfort as a mother comforts
a rabbit trail
the joy of intimacy
the poetry of intimacy
God’s comforting presence
why don’t I feel God?
christians and suffering
back from the abyss
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