Six Things You Must Have To Handle Difficult Times
Today we are going to look at the topic of suffering and affliction. What does the Bible teach us about suffering? How can face difficult times with a biblical perspective that will sustain us, and give us the hope, courage, and peace we need to endure the struggles we inevitably face in a fallen world?
Philippians 1:29 – For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.
The Greek word translated “suffer” is [paschō], a verb. It means to experience a sensation or impression (usually painful), to feel, passion, suffer, vex. The word is translated as the “passion” of Christ when describing the mental, physical and emotional suffering He experienced on the cross.
Suffering and affliction are related. Suffering is what we feel; but affliction is what causes our suffering.
In the Bible, the Greek word translated “afflicted” is [thlibō], meaning “to suffer affliction, to be troubled.” It has reference to sufferings due to the pressure of circumstances, or the antagonism of persons. Both the verb and the noun when used of the present experience of believers, refer almost invariably to that which comes upon them from without.
The word afflicted means to press (as grapes), press hard upon; a compressed way; narrow straitened, contracted; metaphorically to trouble, afflict, or distress. This picture of pressing reminds us that God allows afflictions to press upon us the image of Christ.
2 Corinthians 7:5 – For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts without, fears within.
2 Corinthians 4:7-10 – But we have this treasure [the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ] in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. … For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.
AFFLICTIONS cause SUFFERING.
Afflictions are from without … suffering is within.
Both can be physical and spiritual.
A spiritual attack (worry, doubt, stress) can cause a physical response to our body (illness, fatigue, hair falls out).
A physical attack (illness, accident) can cause a spiritual response in our soul (depression, fear).
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I believe there are six things we must possess in order to endure suffering and affliction. I use the word “possess” because it is one thing to know about something; it’s another thing to possess it, own it. If we are to endure to the end, we must take possession of these truths and live them out.

1 – We must have a firm grasp on the sovereignty of God.

Sovereignty in the Old Testament refers to a dominion:—empire, kingdom, realm, reign. It refers to supreme and unrestricted power; the position, dominion and authority of a sovereign (ruler). That Bible describes God as sovereign over all.

1. God is unique in His sovereignty: there is no one higher or greater.
2. God is eternal in His sovereignty: no other god came before Him or will rule after Him.
3. God is purposeful in His sovereignty: His plans will come to pass; no one can question His purposes or thwart His plans. What He intends, will happen.
4. God is inclusive in His sovereignty: He rules over all dominions; there are no kingdoms that are outside of His authority and reign.
5. God is active in His sovereignty: It is God who works all things together.
   Isaiah 46:9-11 – Remember the former things long past, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, “My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure. … Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, surely I will do it.”
   Romans 8:28 – And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
   1 Chronicles 29:11 – Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O LORD, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone.
   Daniel 4:34-35 – But at the end of that period, I Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever; For His dominion is an everlasting dominion and His kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, but He does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth; and no one can ward off His hand or say to Him, “What have you done?”
   Psalm 103:19-22 – The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all. Bless the LORD, you His angels, mighty in strength, who perform His word, obeying the voice of His word! Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, You who serve Him, doing His will. Bless the LORD, all you works of His, in all places of His dominion; bless the LORD, O my soul!
   ** Whatever is happening to you, be it good or bad, is done under the authority and dominion of the Father. Nothing comes into your life without God allowing it for His good purposes. Firmly grasp this truth, for it will keep you steady when life overwhelms you in suffering and affliction.

2 We must have a clear understanding of the fallen world and the effects of sin.

Romans 8:18-25 – For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. 24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.
Genesis 3:16-19 – To the woman He said, “I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth, in pain you will bring forth children; yet your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” Then to Adam He said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat from it’; Cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you; and you will eat the plants of the field; by the sweat of your face you will eat bread, till you return to the ground, because from it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
Because of Adam and Eve’s sin, we live in a fallen world.

1. Our bodies are no longer meant to last forever. They will wear out, get sick, be filled with pain, and die. We are weak and fragile, made of dust, and we will return to dust.
2. Our human life is filled with toil. What was given originally to be joyful and restful, tending the garden, is now work to survive. We were created to spend our days in beauty, enjoying what God created to sustain us. Now we spend our days to sustain ourselves and rarely have time to enjoy the beauty or rest from labor.
3. Our relationships are full of conflict. Instead of harmony and mutual joy in how God has created us individually, we desire to rule over one another. We were meant to enjoy innocence and freedom; instead we are filled with guilt, suspicion, and held captive by our decisions and desires.
   The effects of sin are everywhere in our world.
   1 John 5:19 – We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
   Ephesians 6:12 – For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
   1 Peter 5:8 – Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
4. Our enemy has been given a measure of freedom by God to rule this earth for a period of time.
5. God may give the enemy freedom to touch our health, our families, our homes, or our jobs. We live in a spiritual war zone.
   ** God allows the natural consequences of a fallen world to come into our life, and He allows Satan a measure of freedom to tempt and test us. This may be in relationships that bring pain, physical challenges, death of loved ones, and mental, emotional and spiritual challenges. Because God is sovereign, He is intentional and purposeful about what He allows in our life. Suffering (both physical and spiritual attacks) comes for our good, our growth, and His glory.
   ** Don’t be angry at God. Be angry at sin. Be angry at the devil. But be thankful to God that He came to give us victory in the end, and the joy of experiencing His presence and His power along the way.

3 – We must have an unwavering faith in the transforming power of God.

1. We must recognize that we need transformation, and that God is determined to have us fully.
   Romans 12:2 – And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
   Colossians 4:22-24; 5:8 – That, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. … For you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light.
   Philippians 2:12-13 – So the, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will [desire] and to work [ability] for His good pleasure.
   ** God is more concerned about our spiritual life than our physical life. The work to save your life has already been done … we have eternal life! But our spiritual life is a work in progress.
2. We must recognize that God’s power is often activated through suffering.
   1 Peter 5:10 – After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.
   Hebrews 12:1-3 – Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him [to lie in sight, be in view] endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down on the right hand of the throne of God.
   In Hbr 12:2, “for (anti) the joy that was set before Him endured the cross,” neither the thought of exchange nor that of substitution is conveyed; here the basic idea of facing is present. The cross and the joy faced each other in the mind of Christ and He chose the one with the other in view.
   ** The power of God that achieved our salvation and defeated death came through the suffering of Jesus. Likewise, it is in our suffering that God’s power is most visibly seen in our own lives, as He works in us and for us.
3. We must appreciate the magnitude of the power of God.
   Ephesians 1:19-20 – …and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places.
   ** If we do not believe God intends to transform us, then our suffering will seem pointless and cruel. Faith in His ability to use what is difficult to create His image in us will help us persevere. Just like Jesus, we choose the suffering in the face of whatever it is that He has called us to walk through, because we know there is joy and the pleasure of God on the other side of it. We can only have this perspective if God’s pleasure is truly our highest goal.

4 – We must have a sustaining knowledge of the Word of God.

1. We must know the written Word – our Bible.
   Psalm 119:25 – My soul cleaves to the dust; revive me according to Your word.
   Psalm 119:49-50 – Remember the word to Your servant, in which You have made me hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, that Your word has revived me.
   Psalm 119:74-76 – May those who fear You see me and be glad, because I wait for Your word. I know, O LORD, that Your judgements are righteous, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me. O may Your lovingkindness comfort me, according to Your word to Your servant.
   Psalm 119:92-93 – If Your law had not been my delight, then I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have revived me.
   Psalm 119:165 – Those who love Your law have great peace, and nothing causes them to stumble.
   Romans 15:4 – For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
   Hebrews 4:12 – For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
   ** God’s Word speaks to our heart at just the right time. When we open it, we are inviting God into our pain and suffering, and allowing Him to give us exactly what we need to endure the trial. Don’t waste your trials – seek God’s Word so that you learn what it is He is teaching you, and how He wants to use it for the good of the kingdom.
2. Not only do we need the written Word, we must know the personal Word – Jesus.
   ** The WHO of God answers the WHY of God. An understanding of the attributes and character of God in the person of Jesus Christ reveals what He seeks to produce in us, for He is forming us into His image.
   Genesis 1:27 – God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. ** ORIGINAL PLAN
   Romans 8:29 – For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren.
   2 Corinthians 3:18 – But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
   Galatians 4:19 – My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you—.
   Knowing who Jesus is helps us see the what and why of our suffering. God wants us to know and experience who He is, even more than we desire to know Him.
   One example is the “I am” statements of Jesus in the Gospels.
   Jesus said, “I am the bread of life.” This tells me Jesus wants to be satisfied only in Him. Perhaps this is why I lost all my possessions.
   Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” This tells me Jesus wants to expose any darkness in me. Perhaps this is why I got caught in my sin.
   Jesus said, “I am the door of the sheep.” This tells me Jesus wants me to come to Him alone. Perhaps this is why I didn’t get that job promotion; He is protecting me from wandering away in pursuit of material gain.
   Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd.” This tells me Jesus wants me to follow and trust Him. Perhaps this is why that relationship failed; I was putting too much trust in another person.
   Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.” This tells me Jesus wants me to have life eternal. Perhaps this is why He is choosing not to heal me and I will die from this sickness.
   Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” This tells me Jesus wants me to proclaim the gospel. Perhaps He has given me this illness as a platform.
   Jesus said, “I am the true vine.” This tells me Jesus wants to abide in me and wants me to abide in Him. Perhaps this is why I am suffering, so that I experience a new intimacy with Him and can bear fruit in this time of affliction.
   Knowing the character of God corrects our perspective.
   God is love.
   1 John 4:8 – The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

• Anything God allows in my life comes from His love.
  God is good.
  Psalm 34:8 – O taste and see that the Lord is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
• Anything (and everything) God does is good.
  God is all-knowing… Nothing happens to me without His knowledge. God is all-powerful…Nothing happens to me that overcomes Him.
  God is holy…*God cannot sin; He cannot lie or do something evil or wrong.
  God is righteous… *Anything God does is the right thing.
  God is just… *Nothing is “unfair” – it may seem that way, but we haven’t seen the end yet.

5 – We must have an intimate fellowship with the Comforter thru prayer.

1. Intimacy requires trust. Know this: we are not pawns in God’s hand; we are prized and precious possessions.
   1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.
   Isaiah 43:1 – But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob, and He who formed you, o Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!
   Revelation 5:9-10 – And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.”
   1 Corinthians 3:23 – …and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God.
   John 17:23-24 – I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. Father, I desire that they also whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
   ** Jesus paid a high price for us, and He did this to please His Father, who desired us. He put His Spirit inside of us so that we could have intimate fellowship with Him. We are not game pieces that God is moving around on some cosmic board; we are precious to God.
2. Intimacy, comfort and peace is found in persistent prayer.
   Hebrews 4:15-16 – For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
   Romans 8:26-27 – In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
   Philippians 4:6-7 – Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
   ** God knows our thoughts, but we build intimacy with God when we take time to speak directly to Him, whether out loud, silently, or by writing down our prayers. Make prayer a habit, just as you would be intentional about taking time to talk to your friend, or family member. Conversation builds closeness.

6 – We must have an eternal perspective of our life’s purpose.

1. This life is short, and suffering will be followed by glory.
   1 Peter 1:3-9 – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.
   James 4:14 – Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.
2. We do not fear death.
   John Piper said it this way: “Death hisses with fearsome rage; but for those in Christ, its fangs have been removed.”
   John 11:25-26 – Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”
   1 John 2:25 – This is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life.
   2 Corinthians 5:6-8 – Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord—for we walk by faith, not by sight—we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.
3. Our faithful response to suffering proclaims the gospel, the purpose for which we remain on earth.
   2 Corinthians 4:6-18 – For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; 8 we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing;9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;10 always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death works in us, but life in you.
   13 But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed, therefore I spoke,” we also believe, therefore we also speak,14 knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God. 16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. 17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
   This is the “rainbow after the rain.” We do pray that our suffering would end, that the trials would be shortened. We do desire a long and happy life with our loved ones, and no one enjoys pain or conflict or troubles. But our hope is the glory of God: His glory proclaimed as we respond in faithful obedience and patience to the suffering that He allows to come, and His glory experienced when our earthly assignment has been completed.
   Peter says it this way: If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear [proper perspective of God: awe/respect] during the time of your stay on earth; 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. 20 For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you 21 who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. (1 Peter 1:17-21).
   Six things every Christ-follower needs to navigate a world where we are sure to encounter suffering and affliction.
4. A firm grasp on the sovereignty of God
5. A clear understanding of the fallen world and the effects of sin
6. An unwavering faith in the transforming power of God
7. A sustaining knowledge of the Word of God
8. An intimate fellowship with the Comforter through prayer
9. An eternal perspective of my life’s purpose
   I leave you with these encouraging words as a benediction from 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17.
   But we should always give thanks to God for you, beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.

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Author Bio
Sheila Alewine is a pastor’s wife, mother, and grandmother of five. She and her husband reside in North Carolina, and lead Around The Corner Ministries, which serves to equip Christ-followers to share the gospel where they live, work and play. She has written several devotionals including Just Pray: God’s Not Done With You Yet, Grace & Glory: 50 Days in the Purpose & Plan of God, and her newest one, Open The Gift, as well as Going Around The Corner, a Bible study for small groups who desire to reach their communities for Christ. Sheila has a passion for God’s Word and shares what God is teaching her on her blog, The Way of The Word. Connect with her on her blog, Facebook, and Instagram.