STRENGTH IN SUFFERING (2 OF 23)
by Keith Krell
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:1-11
This content is part of a series.
Title: Strength in Suffering (2 of 23)
Series: Suffer with Purpose
Author: Keith Krell
Text: 2 Corinthians 1:1-11
Last Sunday was New Year's Eve. And for approximately 37% of Americans that meant making New Year's Resolutions. Raise your hand if you made one or more resolutions for 2024. Well, now that we're a week in, how many of you have already broken your resolutions? Kidding. Don't raise your hands. We can all relate. According to a recent survey, the top resolutions among Americans for 2024 are: (1) Save money, (2) Exercise more, (3) Eat healthier, and (4) Spend more time with friends and family. These resolutions all refer to health-financially, physically, and relationally.
Now, in preparing for this sermon, I researched multiple survey results and multiple lists of resolutions. And do you want to know what has NEVER been mentioned in any New Year's resolution? "I want to suffer more." Or "I want to adopt a better outlook on my suffering." No one wants to think about suffering, talk about it, or much less make New Year's resolutions about it. But as the great theologian, Westley, from The Princess Bride said, "Life is pain, Highness! Anyone who says differently is selling something!" Can you relate? Life is often filled with pain and suffering.
Perhaps you've lost a loved one and you're still grieving the loss. Maybe you've had a child rebel and the emotional toll keeps you awake at night. You might have a chronic disease that fills every day with excruciating pain. Perhaps you've lost your job, and the stress is overwhelming. Maybe you and your spouse aren't able to have children, and there is a daily longing that never goes away. Perhaps you feel hostility in the workplace due to your Christian faith. Each of these forms of suffering can be devastating and seem intolerable. So, if you or someone close to you is dealing with any of these tragedies, you are likely asking: "What possible good can come out of this suffering?"
The answer t ...
Series: Suffer with Purpose
Author: Keith Krell
Text: 2 Corinthians 1:1-11
Last Sunday was New Year's Eve. And for approximately 37% of Americans that meant making New Year's Resolutions. Raise your hand if you made one or more resolutions for 2024. Well, now that we're a week in, how many of you have already broken your resolutions? Kidding. Don't raise your hands. We can all relate. According to a recent survey, the top resolutions among Americans for 2024 are: (1) Save money, (2) Exercise more, (3) Eat healthier, and (4) Spend more time with friends and family. These resolutions all refer to health-financially, physically, and relationally.
Now, in preparing for this sermon, I researched multiple survey results and multiple lists of resolutions. And do you want to know what has NEVER been mentioned in any New Year's resolution? "I want to suffer more." Or "I want to adopt a better outlook on my suffering." No one wants to think about suffering, talk about it, or much less make New Year's resolutions about it. But as the great theologian, Westley, from The Princess Bride said, "Life is pain, Highness! Anyone who says differently is selling something!" Can you relate? Life is often filled with pain and suffering.
Perhaps you've lost a loved one and you're still grieving the loss. Maybe you've had a child rebel and the emotional toll keeps you awake at night. You might have a chronic disease that fills every day with excruciating pain. Perhaps you've lost your job, and the stress is overwhelming. Maybe you and your spouse aren't able to have children, and there is a daily longing that never goes away. Perhaps you feel hostility in the workplace due to your Christian faith. Each of these forms of suffering can be devastating and seem intolerable. So, if you or someone close to you is dealing with any of these tragedies, you are likely asking: "What possible good can come out of this suffering?"
The answer t ...
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