The Benefits and Blessings of Suffering

Compiled by Pastor Jeff Moorehead - Christ’s Church – Federal Way – updated 2024

1. Helps us evaluate our faith and obedience to God (Genesis 22:1-19-Abraham asked to sacrifice his promised son Isaac)

2. Helps us trust God’s sovereign plan for our good (Genesis 50:20-Joseph)

3. Helps drive us to dependence upon God (Deuteronomy 6:10-13) 

4. Helps drive out and overcome sin (Job 23:10, Manasseh-2 Chronicles 33:11-12,  1 Peter 4:1) 

5. Helps us depend on the unrevealed purposes of God (Job 1:6-12)

6. Helps us look to God in prayer for the answers (Psalm 4:1, 18:6, 50:15, 120:1, James 5:13)

7. Helps us remember that our times are in His hands (Psalm 31:14-15)

8. Helps us rely upon the sustaining provision of God (Psalm 55:22)

9. Helps us to recognize God as our Shield (Psalm 3:3), Sustainer (37:17), Safety provider (4:8), King (5:2), Blesser (5:12), Stronghold (9:9), Preserver (32:7), Refuge (46:1), Stabilizer (16:8), Rock (18:1), Strength (18:1), Fortress (18:1), Rescuer (18:19), Upholder (18:35), Helper (22:19), Shepherd (23:1), Restorer (23:3), Guide (23:3), Comforter (23:4), Forgiver (32:5), Hiding place (32:7), Song, (42:8), Disciplinarian (50:21), Burden-bearer (68:19-20), Refiner (66:10-12), Truth-teller (69:13-14), Rock of habitation (71:3), Hope (71:5), Portion (73:26), Near (73:28), Deliverer (74:12), Compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness (103:8-10)

10. Helps us remember the great deeds of the Lord (Psalm 77:10-15)

11. Helps us look to and learn God’s Word for our lives (Psalm 119:71, 67) 

12. Helps us find comfort in God’s sustaining Word (Psalm 119:50, 52, 75-76, 107)

13. Helps us see His new and daily faithful love (Lamentations 3:21-26)

14. Helps us rejoice about our coming reward in heaven (Matthew 5:10-12)

15. Helps us become like our Teacher/Master (Matthew 10:21-25a)

16. Helps us become even more productive for Christ (John 15:1-2)

17. Helps us remember whose side we are on and who the world doesn’t like (John 15:18-25)

18. Helps us remember Christ has overcome the world (John 16:33)

19. Helps us see suffering as a privilege for Christ’s sake (Acts 5:41, Phil. 1:29)

20. Helps us display uncommon spiritual character (Acts 7:57-60-Stephen)

21. Helps us take eternal advantage of the opportunities to share the gospel  (Acts 8:1-4, Philippians 1:12-19, 1 Corinthians 16:9, 2 Timothy 2:8-10, 4:16-17)

22. Helps us remember our calling and what to expect (Acts 14:22, Philippians 1:29)

23. Helps us offer our praise to God no matter what (Acts 16:22-25)

24. Helps produce perseverance, proven character and hope (Romans 5:3)

25. Helps us understand that suffering is God’s pathway to glory (Romans 8:17)

26. Helps us long for the incomparable glories of heaven (Romans 8:18)

27. Helps us long and preserve for the hope of the fulness of our salvation (Romans 8:23-25)

28. Helps us see God’s providential care in our lives (Romans 8:28)

29. Helps us utilize the all-sufficient resources of Christ who is for us (Romans 8:31-34)

30. Helps us live as super-conquerors in Christ and enjoy the unbreakable love of God (Romans 8:35-39)

31. Helps us enjoy the wonderful comfort of God (2 Corinthians 1:4-6, 7:6)

32. Helps us focus our trust on God, not on ourselves (2 Corinthians 1:9)

33. Helps us encourage others who need God’s comfort (2 Corinthians 1:4, 7:6-7)

34. Helps us manifest the sustaining life of Christ in us (2 Corinthians 4:7-11)

35. Helps us view life from the eternal perspective (2 Corinthians 4:14-16) 

36. Helps us avoid the sin of pride (2 Corinthians 12:5-7)

37. Helps us rely on the all-sufficient grace of God (2 Corinthians 12:9)

38. Helps us develop God’s power in our lives (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

39. Helps us learn the attitude of contentment (2 Corinthians 12:10,  Philippians 4:11-12)

40. Helps us inspire other believers (Philippians 1:14)

41. Helps conform us to Christ (Philippians 3:10, Galatians 6:17) 

42. Helps us learn we can do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:10-13) 

43. Helps us seize the opportunity to be bold in our witness (I Thessalonians 2:1-2,   2 Timothy 1:8-12)

44. Helps us remember this is our calling (1 Thessalonians 3:3-4, Philippians 1:29)

45. Helps us look forward to God’s promise of “relief” for us and “retribution” for our enemies in the end (2 Thessalonians 1:5-10)

46. Helps us experience God’s faithfulness in protecting and strengthening us  (2 Thessalonians. 3:1-3)

47. Helps us remember our eternal security in Christ (2 Timothy 1:12)

48. Helps us be a good soldier of Jesus Christ, a disciplined athlete, and a hard-working farmer for Christ (2 Timothy 2:3-7)

49. Helps us look for the Lord’s delivering power (2 Timothy 3:10-11, 4:16-18)

50. Helps us evaluate our desire for godliness (2 Timothy 3:12) 

51. Helps us look toward our ultimate deliverance (2 Timothy 4:18)

52. Helps us utilize the powerful resource of prayer (Hebrews 4:14-16, James 5:13) 

53. Helps us learn obedience like Jesus did through suffering (Hebrews 5:8)

54. Helps us trust God for the best life to come (Hebrews 11:32-40)

55. Helps us grow in holiness and righteousness (Hebrews 12:10-11)

56. Helps us be assured of our salvation (Hebrews 12:6-8, Job 5:17)

57. Helps us remember His deep love for us (Hebrews 12:6-8) 

58. Helps us develop patient endurance and sufficient living (James 1:2-4, 2 Thessalonians 1:4, Hebrews 12:3)

59. Helps us consider our own sinfulness and its connection to suffering (James 5:14-16)

60. Helps us refine and prove our faith (1 Peter 1:6-7, Job 23:10, Psalm 66:10)

61. Helps develop our eternal capacity to glorify God (1 Peter 1:6-7, 2 Corinthians 4:17, 2 Timothy 2:12a, Matthew 20:20-23, Hebrews 2:10)

62. Helps us experience the special blessing of God (1 Peter 4:12-14)

63. Helps us follow the example of Christ (1 Peter 2:21-23, John 16:33, Hebrews 2:18)

64. Helps us become spiritually stable and strong (1 Peter 5:10-11)

65. Helps us gain the eternal crown of life (Revelation 2:9-10)