We ask this question nearly every day of our lives.

Why do I have to suffer:

Not having enough money?

Taking this test?

Cleaning the house?

This flat tire?

Listening to this boring story?

This embarrassing moment?

This illness?

This difficult marriage?

Raising these kids?

This “dead end” job?

Breaking up with my girlfriend or boyfriend?

Moving to a new school or neighborhood?

Not sleeping at night?

Taking care of a sick family member?

Being alone?

Being old?

Being weak?

Being crippled?

Being teased, insulted, and ridiculed?

Listening to this sermon?

My parents’ unfair rules?

Losing someone I love (through death or divorce)?

There are three answers.

1. Why not! Which is a good answer but it does leave you with more questions and a sense of dissatisfaction.

2. To be a witness! A witness to what? On how to suffer? NO! A WITNESS TO HOW GOD IS WORKING IN YOUR LIFE THROUGH YOU SUFFERING!

Philippians 1:27-30 II Timothy 2:8-10

We have an obligation to God first, then to the people around us to be a witness to God’s grace, mercy, faithfulness, forgiveness, unfailing love, healing touch, and personality! When we become self absorbed and cave in on ourselves because of something we are suffering we are telling the world GOD DOES NOT CARE YOUR ON YOUR OWN!!! People are watching!!! What are you telling them about God?!

The Israelites suffered through all that God commanded them to be a witness to the people of Jericho. The people of Jericho had six days to repent and surrender to God because of the suffering of the Israelites!

3. To bring glory to God!!! Our sole purpose in life should be to bring glory to God!! Nothing else matters!! Whatever we do, whatever we say, whatever we think, whatever, should be done to the glory of God, the Son, and the Holy Spirit! We have no other purpose in this life.

The Israelites suffered to bring glory to God.

Joshua 4:24

Jesus suffered to glorify God.

John12:24-28 & 17:1

Peter suffered to glorify God.

John 21:18-19

We are called to suffer to glorify God.

I Peter 4:11-19 & Ephesians 1:11-12

We are way to self-absorbed!!! Self-centered!!! We forget that we exist because of God!!

Acts 17:24-28

How are you bringing glory to God through your suffering? How are you being a witness through what you suffer? Or are you just being selfish?!