Living Victoriously in Difficult Times: Session 3 - The Suffering of Christ

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 third session, we looked at how Jesus might help us better understand the suffering we face. We discussed the following passages:

John 15:18-21 [New American Standard Bible]

“If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they followed My word, they will follow yours also. But all these things they will do to you on account of My name, because they do not know the One who sent Me.

1 Peter 2:18-21 [New American Standard Bible]

Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are harsh. For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person endures grief when suffering unjustly. For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. For you have been called for this purpose, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you would follow in His steps.

1 Peter 2:21-24 [New American Standard Bible]

For you have been called for this purpose, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you would follow in His steps. He who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being abusively insulted, He did not insult in return; while suffering, He did not threaten, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself brought our sins in His body up on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness; by His wounds you were healed.

Hebrews 5:8 [New American Standard Bible]

Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.