Yan Hadley also spoke of the Biblical principles which, if applied, can help us to be strengthened, rather than broken, by suffering.
- Give the burden to God. The questions we have regarding suffering will weigh us down and break us. Ps 55:22 says ‘cast your burden on the Lord and He will sustain you. He will not permit the righteous to be moved.’ We have to acknowledge our limitations and lack of understanding and cast our burdens on God.
- Look steadfastly to Jesus (Heb 12:2-3). We have to fix our minds on God (Is 26:3) in order to avoid the temptation to give up. Suffering often grinds us down; Jesus is the antidote to this erosion of faith.
- Trust God’s sovereignty (Rom 8:28). Joseph suffered greatly throughout his life, but he had confidence in God’s ability to turn the plans others meant for evil to good. (Gen 50:20). Ps 30:5 reminds us that weeping will come, but joy will also follow the weeping. God is in control, even when we cannot see what He is doing.
- Adjust your perspective. In 2 Cor 4:17-18, Paul talks of light and momentary troubles. He had suffering shipwreck, imprisonment and being stoned… but in the perspective of eternity, he could see that these were as ‘a flea on an elephant’s back.’
- Maintain an attitude of joyful thankfulness. (1 Thess 5:18) Hab 3:17-18 reminds us that even when circumstances are dire, we can still rejoice in the Lord, and this joy gives us strength. Phil 4:4 reminds us to rejoice in the Lord.
- Reach out to others for help. (Eccl 4:12) We are not meant to ‘go it alone’, but need the prayers and encouragement of other people. Prov 11:14 reminds us that counsel from others is helpful, and we are a family, the body of Christ.
