1 Thessalonians 3 Lesson

SUFFERING AND ADVERSITY

The more we study the Bible, the more we understand that suffering and adversity are part of life, especially for Christians.

God uses our struggles:

1. To discipline us,
2. To teach us,
3. And to mold us into the mature Christians that He created us to be.

We should not be surprised when we face hard times.

Jesus’ life was full of adversity.  

So were the apostles.

If God did not spare them from suffering, why would we expect our lives to be any different?

Today’s lesson is divided into four parts:

1. How God disciplines those that He loves,
2. The fact that life is going to test us,
3. How adversity teaches us and allows us to mature spiritually,
4. How the sufferings of this lifetime pale in comparison to the glory that awaits the faithful inHeaven.  

GOD DISCIPLINES THOSE THAT HE LOVES

The words, “God disciplines those that He loves,” are taken from the following scripture:

• “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor  faint when you are reproved by Him ; For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines , and He scourges every son whom He receives .” – Hebrews 12:5-6.

In fact, the entire twelfth chapter of the Book of Hebrews discusses the reasons that God disciplines us.

For today’s study, we will reference the following scripture:

• “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 endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Hebrews 12:1-2.

LIFE WILL TEST US

The Hebrew writer equates living our lives to running a race that requires endurance.

Life will test us.  

We will get fatigued, and beaten down, and we will suffer setbacks.  

Jesus did as well.  

This is all part of God’s plan for us, and necessary for us to reach our full potential. 

If God has found it necessary to discipline us, we need to accept it, learn from it, and keep moving forward.

• “He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness.” - Hebrews 12:10.

God wants us to be fully mature in our faith before we are judged.  

Those who are faithful, by the grace of God, will spend eternity with God and Jesus in Heaven!  

We need to accept and embrace God’s discipline if we are going to be ready for judgment day.     

GOING THROUGH ADVERSITY TEACHES US AND ALLOWS US TO MATURE SPIRITUALLY

In his letter to the Romans, the Apostle Paul wrote:

• “And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” – Romans 5:3-5.  

We cannot learn perseverance or develop proven character without first going through tribulations.   There is a saying, “A smooth sea, does not a sailor make.”  

Hardships are necessary. 

Without them, we cannot fully mature in our faith. 

THE SUFFERINGS OF THIS LIFETIME PALE IN COMPARISON TO THE GLORY OF HEAVEN

Any suffering that we experience on earth will be temporary. 

The time that we spend in either Heaven or Hell is forever!

Paul understood this.  

That is why he was able to endure the things that he did.

Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans:  

• “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” – Romans 8:18.

This scripture is meant to comfort us so that we can continue to endure and move forward.  

When life challenges us, it is important to think about Heaven and the glory that awaits those who believe in and follow Jesus.  

More than 2,000 years ago, Jesus went to prepare a home for His followers.  He said:

• “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.  If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” – John 14:1-3.

If God was able to create all the beauty that there is on Earth in just six days, imagine how beautiful Heaven is going to be!

CONCLUSION

As Christians, we should never be surprised by suffering.  

When we are suffering, it is a blessing for us to remember four things:

1. How God disciplines those that He loves,
2. The fact that life is going to test us,
3. How adversity teaches us and allows us to mature spiritually,
4. How the sufferings of this lifetime pale in comparison to the glory that awaits the faithful inHeaven.

We will end today’s lesson with the following scripture about the glory of Heaven:

• “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” – Revelation 21:4.