Living Victoriously in Difficult Times: Session 1 - Christians Suffered

When painful or frustrating circumstances invade our life, it’s easy to wonder why. Why does life so often seem unfair? Why doesn’t our all-powerful God stop the pain and suffering–not just for you–but for all His children

The truth is, we live in a fallen world filled with fallen people, and we cannot escape hardship and pain.

In this six week study we’ll examine what the Bible says about suffering. Through the stories of many who persevered through times of testing, we’ll discover how to find joy even when life seems unfair. We’ll learn how to handle loss while glorifying God in the midst of our pain. And we’ll find the peace that comes from trusting in the One whose strength is made perfect in your weakness

During our first session, we looked at how early Christians suffered. We discussed the following passages:

2 Thessalonians 1:3-5 [New American Standard Bible]

We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, as is only fitting, because your faith is increasing abundantly, and the love of each and every one of you toward one another grows ever greater. As a result, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure. This is a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you indeed are suffering.

2 Thessalonians 1:4-8 [New American Standard Bible]

As a result, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure. This is a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you indeed are suffering. For after all it is only right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give relief to you who are afflicted, along with us, when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God, and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 1:6-7 [New American Standard Bible]

You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word during great affliction with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.

1 Thessalonians 2:1-2, 14 [New American Standard Bible]

For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our reception among you was not in vain, but after we had already suffered and been treated abusively in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition.

For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews,

1 Thessalonians 3:4 [New American Standard Bible]

For even when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it happened, as you know.

Below is a podcast of our discussion: