SUFFERING THAT COMES TO TRANSFORM YOU!

SUFFERING THAT TRANSFORMS

“…IT WAS GOOD FOR ME TO BE AFFLICTED SO THAT I MIGHT LEARN YOUR DECREES...” (PSALMS 119:71 NIV) “…IT IS GOOD FOR ME THAT I WAS AFFLICTED THAT I MIGHT LEARN YOUR STATUES...” (PSALMS 119:71 NLT) “…IT IS GOOD FOR ME THAT I WAS AFFLICTED, THAT I MAY LEARN YOUR STATUTES...” (PSALMS 119:71 NASB)

“…IT WAS GOOD FOR ME THAT I HAVE BEEN AFFLICTED; THAT I MIGHT LEARN THEY STATUES...” (PSALMS 119:71 KJV). 

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In Psalms 119:71 we witness how God’s people “learned and paid attention to the POWER and BENEFIT OF God’s WORD” by the sufferings and afflictions they went through while in captivity. God says “..that all things work together for GOOD  to them that LOVE GOD, to them who are THE CALLED to his purpose...” (Romans 8:28 KJV).

The good comes out of all the spiritual growth and development that takes place during the process “IN” the captivity of our sufferings, afflictions, disappointments, heartaches, and difficulties. Satan may have “…intended to harm ...[you], but God intended it for [your] good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives...” Genesis 50:20 NIV).

The Israelites went through several captivities, mostly out of disobedience, but because of God’s MERCY and GRACE they “ALWAYS” had a favorable outcome. “…They (god’s people) defiled themselves by their evil deeds, and their love of idols was adultery in the Lord’s sight. That is why the Lord’s anger burned against his people, and he abhorred his own special possession. He handed them over to pagan nations, and they were ruled by those who hated them. Their enemies crushed them and brought them under their cruel power. Again and again he rescued them, but they chose to rebel against him, and they were finally destroyed by their sin…” (Psalm 106:39-43 NLT).

Out of his immutable love and grace for HIS people, God reverses the CURSE of disobedience, many times. “…Their enemies crushed them and brought them under their cruel power. Again and again he rescued them, but they chose to rebel against him, and they were finally destroyed by their sin. Even so, he pitied them in their distress and listened to their cries. He remembered his covenant with them and relented because of his unfailing love. He even caused their captors to treat them with kindness. Save us, O Lord our God! Gather us back from among the nations, so we can thank your holy name and rejoice and praise you. Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, who lives from everlasting to everlasting! Let all the people say, “Amen!” Praise the Lord!” (Psalms 106:42-48 NLT). “…He remembered his covenant with them and relented because of his unfailing love…” (Psalms 106:42-48 NLT).

“…Ye were (or became) a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: …” (Zechariah 8:13 KJV).

“…Great is his love toward [his people], and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD” (Psalms 117:2 KJV). “…[GOD] remembered his covenant with them …” (Psalms 106:42-48 NLT).

God’s people responded: “…IT IS GOOD FOR ME THAT I WAS AFFLICTED, THAT I MAY LEARN YOUR STATUTES...” (PSALMS 119:71 NASB). “…IT WAS GOOD FOR ME THAT I HAVE BEEN AFFLICTED; THAT I MIGHT LEARN THEY STATUES...” (PSALMS 119:71 KJV).

God got their attention. “…But by means of their suffering (afflictions, going through a rough time, etc) ....he GETS THEIR ATTENTION through adversity…” (Job 36:15 NLT).

God knows what it will take to get YOUR ATTENTION, prepare you, or humble you. “…God is mighty, but he does not despise anyone! He is mighty in both power and understanding. He does not let the wicked live but gives justice to the afflicted. He never takes his eyes off the innocent, but he sets them on thrones with kings and exalts them forever. If they are bound in chains and CAUGHT UP in a web of trouble, HE SHOWS THEM THE REASON. HE SHOWS THEM THEIR SINS OF PRIDE. HE GETS THEIR ATTENTION AND COMMANDS THAT THEY TURN FROM EVIL…” (Job 36:6-10 NLT). “…he GETS THEIR ATTENTION through adversity…” (Job 36:15 NLT). Therefore, “..In the day of prosperity be happy, But in the day of adversity consider-- God has made the one as well as the other…” (Ecclesiastes 7:14  NASB).  Thus, “… Repent and do the first works…” (REVELATION 2:5 KJV).

Even, in adversity, sufferings, afflictions, troubles, and difficulties, God is being better to you that you deserve. We could be utterly destroyed, by the things we go through. Some things we bought upon ourselves; some things others bought into our lives; and some things are simply a part of life. How ever, the sufferings and afflictions come into your life, God makes certain, ALL OF IT, all the pretty and the ugly works together for YOUR good.

When we SUFFER or go THROUGH hard times, we question God and question his sense of fairness or justice. We often fail to remember our perception of fairness and justice has LONG been weakened and flawed by a sinful worldview. We are often conditioned to rationalize fairness and justice with undertones of sin that are bent toward our own personal biases rather than God’s holy standards.

As a young woman, I sat in the congregation, with my legs crossed, high heels on, and listened as the preacher talked about “suffering.” I remember thinking, “I ain’t suffering for nobody.” However, I have since swallowed those words, seemingly, a thousand times. I have suffered in my lifetime.

I asked God why did he give me certain situations and circumstances to suffer through and he said, “How can you know me unless you share in my suffering?” He also said, “Pensacola, you are my heart and the mouthpiece for my heart.”

Two important things here: I was called to be the mouthpiece for God’s heart and it involved getting to know him. Part of getting to know him meant I had to share in the fellowship of his suffering. “I want to know Christ--yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death…” (Philippians 3:10 NIV). “... That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death…”(Philippians 3:10 KJV).

The bible says Jesus died TWO deaths: death to SELF AND death on the cross.  First Christ “…humbled himself and became obedient unto death (inward), even the death of the cross (outward)…” (Philippians 2:8 KJV).  Two deaths: “Obedient unto to death” and “death on the cross.” Even though he was, “… [God’s] Son, yet learned he obedience by the things he suffered…” (Hebrews 5:8 KJV).

Pay attention to this, Jesus LEARNED obedience BY the things he SUFFERED!!!! “Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind …” (1 Peter 4:1-3 KJV).

God knew Jesus would suffer and yet, he “…spared not his own Son [from suffering], but delivered him up for us all….?” (Romans 8:32 KJV). Therefore, “… arm yourselves likewise with the same mind …” (1 Peter 4:1-3 KJV).

“Seasons of suffering” can become a teacher and obedience is the lesson. “Seasons of suffering” are not so much about what’s happening TO you as much as it is about what’s happening IN you. “… He that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin…” (1 Peter 4:1-3 KJV).

There comes a time to stop living in willful sin. “...For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries…” (1 Peter 4:1-3 KJV).

Jesus had a purpose. “….the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28).  Jesus, “… [God’s] Son, … learned … obedience by the things he suffered…” (Hebrews 5:8 KJV).

Jesus learned obedience by actually experiencing opportunities to grow and develop spiritually through the things he suffered during his life in human flesh. “…Christ…suffered for us in the flesh …” (1 Peter 4:1-3).

In other words, Jesus learned obedience by actually staying in perfect compliance with God’s will even when he was suffering. “…Christ…suffered for us in the flesh …” (1 Peter 4:1-3). “… learned he obedience …” (Hebrews 5:8 KJV).

This kind of obedience is painful, stressful, and is usually learned under difficult tests. Yet, Jesus submitted to God’s will for his life in spite of the cost. “… learned he obedience by the things he suffered…” (Hebrews 5:8 KJV).

Perfect submission to God’s will was personal to Jesus and reflected his loving, trusting devotion to God and to mankind. Jesus “learned” from “the things” he “suffered.” “… learned he obedience by the things he suffered…” (Hebrews 5:8 KJV).  Every time Jesus followed God’s will through absolute submission, in his human flesh, he learned obedience (Hebrews 5:8).

Jesus gave up his divine privileges, rights, pride, and was demoted to human flesh, with ALL its limitations, and became like a servant. He “…emptied himself…” (Philippians 2:7 NASB).  He wasn’t trying to build his “own” reputations, but came to give ALL glory to God! WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was not thrilled, like Jesus, with the calling on my life and I certainly wasn’t thrilled to discover I would have to suffer as a result of the calling. Nobody likes to suffer. The word “suffer” gives me the chills, because suffering brings up so many unpleasant situations or memories.

I can’t even believe God wanted me, of all people, to write a book on “suffering.” To be honest I didn’t want to and I didn’t see the purpose. However God explained it.  My book TRANSFORMING LOVE was about the reality of God’s love; my book TRANSFORMING INTIMACY was about the PROOF of God’s love for you, personally; and this book, TRANSFORMING SUFFERING is about the PROOF of your love for God.

TRANSFORMING LOVE, the reality of God’s love is this: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

TRANSFORMING INTIMACY, the proof of God’s love is this: ^“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (substitute, intervention) for our sins.” (1 John 4:10 KJV).

TRANSFORMING SUFFERING, the proof of your love: “…that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” (John 6:29 KJV).

You prove your love for God every time you BELIEVE/TRUST Him/DEPEND upon him, or “keep his commandments.” “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). 

Once I was telling my young teenage son to do something and he looked at me and said, “Mom, I’m not scared of you. I’m only doing it because I love you.” I didn’t realized how profound that was until years later.

Why else do we want our children to obey, accept for their own decision to show love and respect for their parents?

There is a wide range of topics on suffering, but I will be talking about suffering as it relates to relationships. There is no other place we can we experience or share in the sufferings of Christ more than in our relationships with others.

God works THROUGH his people to LOVE others. “…The …HOLY SPIRIT …is the SOURCE of [love. …It is …God who does the work IN and THROUGH all of us who are his. The HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power THROUGH each of us … (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). Therefore, “… you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself...” (Luke 10:27 RSV). “... It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose...” (Philippians 2:13 NIV).

Jesus suffered to bring us into the relationship with God we are privy to today and it was costly as well as sacrificial. “For Christ …. died for sins ONCE for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;” (1 Peter 3:18 NASB).“… Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And ...he was buried, and …he rose again the third day according to the scriptures…” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4 KJV).

Christ’s death was PROOF of God’s love for you. Again, ^“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent His Son...” (1 John 4:10 KJV). 

However, what is the PROOF of your love for God? “If you love me, you will keep (TRUST, DEPEND upon) my commandments” (John 14:15). “…Abraham believed (depended upon) God… his faith (his dependency) and his (obedient) actions were working together…” (James 2:18-24 NIV).

The devil asked God in the book of Job: “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land.” (Job 1:7-12 NIV).

As long as life is honkey dory, we serve and praise God with everything we have, but that is not proof you love God. God knows whether you love him or not, but you, yourself, often don’t know it until you are challenged or tested.

Therefore, God allows you or even chooses you; to suffer, in order “… to prove [to yourself]…what [is in your own]…heart, whether [you]… wouldest keep his commandments, or no.” (Deuteronomy 8:2 KJV).

When I fell in love, the initial reality of that love was like a fairytale to me and his love for me was enough proof to accept his hand in marriage. However, as time went on and the fairytale love diminished I was challenged and tested to love in a more non-fictional way.

When Prince Charming becomes Prince Not-so-Charming you have to ask a similar question like Job. “…Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” (Job 2:10 NIV).

In my fairytale relationship will I simply accept the good parts and not the troubled parts? The troubled parts of relationships are broad, varied, and often painful; will I suffer through it? In my vows, I said, “...for better or for worst…” Who really imagines what “...for worst…” may entail?

We live in a fallen world and trouble is everywhere, especially in our relationships. There are no perfect people, not you or me, and that fact alone should tell you “suffering” will be a part of the experience. How many times have you hurt someone, whether intentional or unintentional?

In relationships, some people suffer through trouble from infidelity, sickness, death, dysfunction, insecurity, emotional lack, disrespect, abuse, mental illness, low-esteem, jealousy, bad attitudes, drama kings and queens, attention hogs, selfishness, secrets, and a host of other things.

Without a doubt, trouble in relationships will, “…prove [to you]…what [is in your own]…heart, whether [you]…wouldest keep his commandments, or no.” (Deuteronomy 8:2 KJV).

In your role as husband, wife, mother, daughter, son, co-worker, aunt, uncle, grandparent, friend, or fellow-believer; TROUBLE will prove your authentic heart.

When trouble comes and it will come: Will you keep your marriage vows? Will you continue your parental duties? Will you remain a reliable aunt or uncle? Will you endure the friendship? Will you keep God’s commandments?

I have learned “suffering” is not necessarily a negative condition, but may, in fact, be a positive opportunity. If nothing else, “suffering” will lead to the road of authentic-ness, because it will force you to evaluate your OWN heart.

If the heart is deceitful above all things, then “suffering” will reveal it and allow it to be purged out! ^“If someone has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother and will not listen to them when they discipline him …You must purge the evil from among you.” (Deuteronomy 21:18-21 NIV).

God loves you and he has proved his love for you. Even when you are suffering through a difficult circumstance, he is proving his love by giving you the opportunity to prove your love to Him. The opportunity to prove your love to him is about “keeping his commandment” (John 14:15 KJV). “Keeping his commandments” ultimately results in multiple blessings for you!

Proving your love for him is ACTUALLY a blessing and benefit for you. When you TRUST him and DEPEND upon him,  it ALLOWS God to SHOWER you with more and more BLESSINGS!! So PROVING your love for HIM BLESSES YOU!!  “... [God] ... is a shield unto them that put their trust in him...” (Proverbs 30:5 KJV). “... he is a buckler to all them that trust in him...” (2 Samuel 22:31 KJV).

“… “I AM WHO I AM ’ This is My name forever, and this is My memorial-name to all generations…” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB).  “…I am  the Lord, the God of all flesh…” (Jeremiah 32:27 KJV). "… I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God…" (Revelation 1:8 NASB). “… I, the LORD … the first, and with the last. I am He...'" (Isaiah 41:4 NASB).  “...The lord is GOOD…there is none good but one, that is, God” (Nahum 1:7 & Mark 10:18 KJV). “…God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “…  I, the Lord, am your healer…” (Exodus 15:26). “… I AM HOLY…” (1 Peter 1:14-16 KJV).  And, “There is none holy as the Lord…” (1 Samuel 2:2 KJV). “…God is the one who provides …” (2 Corinthians 9:10-13 KJV). “… God will supply all [your need]…” (Philippians 4:19 NASB). “… [God] … will keep in perfect peace all who trust in … [him] … all whose thoughts are fixed on … [him!]” (Isaiah 26:3 NLT)

 “….The Lord is “my” shepherd ….” (PSALM 23:1-3 NLT). “… THE LORD … is Your rock and Your fortress, your deliverer, Your GOD, Your rock, in whom [you] … take refuge; Your shield and the horn of Your salvation, YOUR stronghold.…" (Psalms 18:3 NASB). “…Thou shalt know that I the LORD am thy Saviour …” (Isaiah 60:16 KJV). “…there is none like unto thee…” (Jeremiah 10:6 KJV). “… [God] … will keep in perfect peace all who trust in … [him] … all whose thoughts are fixed on … [him!]” (Isaiah 26:3 NLT).

“…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).  ^““… [I] … “WILL” keep in perfect peace all who trust in … [ME; God, the Holy Spirit] … all whose thoughts are fixed on … [him!]” (Isaiah 26:3 NLT).

God often provides the opportunity for you to prove your love for him through trials and tribulations. God wants you to become an authentic, loving participant in your relationship with Him through Christ.

Suffering gets to the heart of the matter. Therefore, it’s really not simply the trouble you face or the details of that trouble, but it’s your heart “in” the trouble. Who are you when trouble comes? Who are you when you suffer through difficulties?

“...God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart…”(1 Samuel 16:7 NASB).

I’m sorry for whatever you are going through or for what you’ve been through. Suffering is NOT pleasant and the process, whatever it may entail, is NOT or is NEVER easy, In fact, although we KNOW it will work together for good, GOING THROUGH IT “STILL” hurts!!!!! Yet, after we go through THE SUFFERING we are forever changed in some way, for the GOOD. If you work with God, by trusting and depending upon him, it WILL TRANSFORM you and you will find your authentic new creation self! “…He that loseth his life for my sake shall find it…” (Matthew 10:39 KJV).

Many can’t or won’t get past the question of “Why me?” or “WHY?” “Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, “Why have you made me like this?” (Romans 9:20-22 NLT).

Many people want days of PROSPERITY, but not days of ADVERSITY.  “..In the day of prosperity be happy, But in the day of adversity consider-- God has made the one as well as the other…” (Ecclesiastes 7:14  NASB). Job asked an interesting question, “…Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” (Job 2:10 NIV).

In other words, God is in control of our days, prosperous OR adverse. We are to DEPEND upon him, whatever kind of day it is, KNOWING God loves you and he is ALWAYS a GOOD, LOVING, and KIND God. We are to find our SECURITY in him. We are to find REFUGE in him. We are to find our CONTENTMENT in him. We are to find our STABILITY in him. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalms 46:1 KJV).

“… THE LORD … is Your rock and Your fortress, your deliverer, Your GOD, Your rock, in whom [you] … take refuge; Your shield and the horn of Your salvation, YOUR stronghold.…" (Psalms 18:3 NASB).

“I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies (my adversity)…” (Psalms 18:1-3 KJV).

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation” (Psalm 91 KJV).

Satan tried to prove that Job served God just for the days of prosperity. “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” (Job 1:7-12 NIV). 

But in the days of adversity Job declared, “…Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” (Job 2:10 NIV). Job demonstrated, you are to “….love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind…” (Luke 10:27 KJV).

In the “days of adversity” remember, Christ said, “…Anyone who wants to be my follower must love me far more than he does his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, or sisters—yes, more than his own life—otherwise he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26 NLT).

“.. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:16-17 NLT).

In the “days of prosperity” or the “seasons of suffering,” “….everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus [our]… Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ” (Philippians 3:8 NLT).

In the “days of adversity” would Satan be right in saying, “…strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face?…” (Job 1:7-12 NIV). Satan is your enemy, not God. ^“Be careful—watch out for attacks from Satan, your great enemy. He prowls around like a hungry, roaring lion, looking for some victim to tear apart” (1 Peter 5:8 NLT).

Job went through horrendous “days of adversity.”  Yet, he said, “…The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God” Job 1:20-22 NASB).

“…But by means of their suffering (afflictions, going through a rough time, etc) ... he GETS THEIR ATTENTION through adversity…” (Job 36:15 NLT).

God is in control of your days, prosperous or adverse, so DEPEND on him alone. Find your SECURITY in him. Find REFUGE in him. Find your CONTENTMENT in him. Find your STABILITY in him. “God is [your] refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalms 46:1 KJV).

“… THE LORD … is Your rock and Your fortress, your deliverer, Your GOD, Your rock, in whom [you] … take refuge; Your shield and the horn of Your salvation, YOUR stronghold.…" (Psalms 18:3 NASB).

God says “..that all things work together for GOOD  to them that LOVE GOD, to them who are THE CALLED to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 KJV).

“…IT WAS GOOD FOR ME TO BE AFFLICTED SO THAT I MIGHT LEARN YOUR DECREES...” (PSALMS 119:71 NIV). “…IT IS GOOD FOR ME THAT I WAS AFFLICTED THAT I MIGHT LEARN YOUR STATUES...” (PSALMS 119:71 NLT).

WHEN GOD’S PEOPLE SUFFER THROUGH AFFLICTIONS, TROUBLES, HEARTACHES, DISAPPOINTMENT, MISTREATMENTS, OVERWHELMING PROBLEMS, AND QUESTIONABLE SITUATIONS; THEY “ALWAYS” HAVE A FAVORABLE OUTCOME!!  “... his favor lasts a lifetime...” (Psalms 30:5 NIV).

THE BONUS IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO “LEARN” MORE ABOUT HIS WORD!! God’s gives his Word to Bless you during a “season of suffering.” “…The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them Your servant is warned. In keeping them there is great reward …” (Psalm 19:7-11 NASB).

“….If God is for us, who [or what]... can be against us?” (Romans 8:31 NIV).

 “…The plans [God has]…for you…. [are]…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a future...” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV).

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end...” (Jeremiah 29:11 KJV).

“…all things work together for GOOD to them that LOVE GOD, to them who are THE CALLED to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 KJV).

 “…[You]…will receive NOW in return (in this life) a hundred times as many houses, brother, sisters, mothers, children, and property…” (Mark 10:28-31 NLT).

 “…be content with what you have, because God has said “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you…” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV).

“...Behold, I am with… [you] and will keep… [you] whithersoever [you]… goest… For I will not leave [you]… until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of…." (Genesis 28:15 ASV).

“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail (leave) thee, nor forsake thee” (Deuteronomy 31:6 KJV).

“…for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you…” (Deuteronomy 20:4 NASB).

“…obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age…"(Matthew 28:20 NIV).

“One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God” (Acts 18:9-11 NIV).

“….If God is for us, who [or what]... can be against us?” (Romans 8:31 NIV).

“…IT [IS]...GOOD FOR ME TO BE AFFLICTED SO THAT I MIGHT LEARN [GOD’S HOLY]... DECREES...” (PSALMS 119:71 NIV).

“…IT IS GOOD FOR ME THAT I [AM BEING ] ... AFFLICTED THAT I MIGHT LEARN [GOD’S HOLY] ... STATUES...” (PSALMS 119:71 NLT).

GOD DOESN’T WASTE ANY PART OF YOUR LIFE OR EXPERIENCES. HIS FAVOR IS EVEN UPON YOUR “SEASONS OF SUFFERING!!”  “For [the Lord] blesses the righteous, [and surrounds] him with favor as with a shield” (Psalm 5:12 ASV). “…It is You who BLESSES “THE” RIGHTEOUS MAN, O Lord, You surround him WITH FAVOR as with a shield…” (Psalms 5:12 NASB). “…YOU MAKE HIM “MOST” BLESSED forever; …” (Psalms 21:6 NASB). “…BLESSINGS are on the head of the righteous…” (Proverbs 10:6 NASB).  “…You surround him WITH FAVOR as with a shield…” (Psalms 5:12 NASB).

Satan “…[May have intended to harm ...[you], but God intended it for [your] good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives...” Genesis 50:20 NIV).