Christian response to suffering

[Christ_empowered]

OK. So, my older, wiser, Pentecostal friend Verna is going through it. She's old school Pentecostal. I was raised liberal PCUSA (I'm still recovering, lol). Everything bad is apparently satanic in old school Pentecostal world (she's 73. I'm 30).

Presbies...are a little too bookish, too worldly. God's will...apparently, everything that happens, God reigns supreme. What of satan? Then again...what if Pentecostals give Satan too much credit?

Blah blah blah...I'm just wondering...what's going on here? She's recently widowed, in physical pain, wayward grand child. I talk to her more often than her real kids do (not their fault; they have those j-o-b things I've heard so much about, lol). She's been a solid Christian since childhood, no lie. Raised Christian and it stuck with her.

The Bible speaks of pain and it happens. The OT...I'm thinking Ecclesiastes, in particular...doesn't hold out a whole lot of hope for what modern society would consider "happiness." Jesus promises life and that more abundantly, which is true, but...

...what does our suffering mean, exactly? Satan? Fallen world? God's will? This isn't actually a deep, theological Q...I just want some insight and opinions...

thanks

 

[Willie T]

A very good topic and line of thought. I have to admit that I've never really understood the mindset of people who proclaim, "I'm suffering for God."

 

[Gary]

This is kinda the way I look at it. Fasting isn't suffering but a general understanding regarding behavior can be taken from this passage.

Matthew 6
16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.