We come to know the Lord better and the suffering he went though for our sake when we go through suffering ourselves. But only in drawing close to God does this happen. Otherwise we only learn bitterness and despair.
There is a another purpose fulfilled when we use our pain to help others going through suffering and hardships. 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.”
May we let no pain or hardship go to waste.
Published by remadepreacher
Kent Dickerson is a Christian writer, teacher, singer and lecturer. He calls his blog, “Remade Preacher”. The reason why that title was chosen was because God brought him back to full time ministry after leaving it for thirty years.
The primary reason for leaving Pastoral Ministry was a deep-seated struggle with pornography.
He facilitates two seminars.
-Spiritual Battle Plan, The Path To Victory
and
-Spiritual Battle Plan, the Armor Of God.
In both courses he calls upon men to first get into the battle against the sin in their lives and then to find new ways to call upon the Almighty God to lead, strengthen and protect them.
He also emphasizes helping each other as brothers.
In addition, versions of Spiritual Battle Plan are being developed for both men and women learners.
A new class/seminar, Be Transformed, is now available as well.
During the “Be Transformed” Seminar Kent teaches the art of analyzing one’s thinking patterns in order to allow renewing-of-the-mind transformation so that one can then devote one’s time to contemplating God.
Kent is currently authoring a book tentatively titled, “Remade! A preacher finds victory over pornography and complaint.”
He is also working on recording his first EP and videos Kent is from Abilene, Texas where he attended Abilene Christian University.
He has now left South Korea as part of the U.S. military community and lives in Katy, TX..
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remadepreacher 
I liked the way you framed the subject of suffering, Kent, in that there is “purpose to our suffering,” and secondly, our hope for God is unshakable in that He will get us through the suffering. Suffering is part of deeply abiding in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. His comfort is all-sufficient when we are allowed to suffer.
I rarely ask God any more why I have to suffer – it is a given! However, what is illuminated through my personal suffering is the depth of God’s comfort and healing of mind and body. He has grown my boldness of spirit to witness – His “purpose” for me.
When I see the persecuted Christian giving up his or her life, even young children hanging on to their hope in Jesus, I am determined to endure whatever happens to me.
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Amen, Lynda. We have many inspiring witnesses.
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