FAITH ON TRIAL: Part 4d – If God is so loving why do we experience so much suffering?

To deal with suffering and disappointments, we need God’s perspective on life.

3) Disappointment loosens our grip on unimportant things in life.

James 1 [2] Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, [3] because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. [4] Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Romans 5 [3] Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; [4] perseverance, character; and character, hope. [5] And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

When disappointment comes, the things that are of little value in life suddenly don’t matter anymore. We find ourselves clinging tightly to the things that really matter: our relationships with God and each other.