ArticlesBase.com - Free Articles Directory
Free Online Articles Directory
20.07.2008 Sign In Register Hello Guest
Email:
Password:
Remember Me 
forgot your password?


Christians and Suffering: What Can We Learn From the Fiery Furnace

Author: Kirsty Cussens Author Ranking Blue | Posted: 25-04-2008 | Comments: 0 | Views: 12 | Rating:  (107) Article Popularity - Blue (?) Got a Question? Ask.
Sign Up Now!

Christians have times of suffering too! There is the temptation sometimes to think that we are exempt from suffering, or difficult times; that God will protect us from anything painful or horrible.

But sometimes he doesn't.

We live in a fallen, messed up world and we suffer sometimes: sickness, relationship breakdown, injustice, financial difficulties, stress, pain... God does not cause these things. Life happens and sometimes it hurts. We need to respond to that.

Like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (whose story is told in Daniel, chapter 3). Three good, Jewish boys, exiled unjustly to a foreign country, stripped of their culture, identity and even their names but getting on with the job. Outwardly they were obedient to their captors, but inwardly their hearts were kept for God alone.

The next thing they know they're heading for the fiery furnace.

What can we learn from them?

1. They trusted God and accepted His sovereignty.

"If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it... but even if He does not, we want you to know, King, that we will not serve your gods or worship your image of gold" (Daniel 3:17)

One of the greatest things we can do when faced with suffering is to trust God. To trust Him to deliver us from it but more than that: to trust Him even if He does not deliver us from it. Sadly, many Christians have lost their faith in God because their prayers for deliverance or healing were not answered as quickly as they expected. It's hard, but we need to trust God even when we don't see our prayers being answered as we want them to be. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were able to do that. Live or die they would trust their God.

2. They were not alone in the furnace

Go did not deliver them from the furnace as they might have wanted but He was with them as they went through it! And He is with us as we go through hard times too. Sometimes, from the depths of crying out to Him we might find a closeness we have never known before. Sometimes we may feel completely abandoned. He is as close to us whichever we feel. He will not leave us.

3. They came safely through and out the other end.

Sometimes it may feel as if we will be stuck in the darkness forever. Not so. Your pain and hardship may seem unsolveable but God is at work, He knows how much you can handle and He will bring you out the other end, stronger, with a greater faith and a deeper understanding of who He is. His promise is that trials develop character, and although it is painful there will be a great reward at the end of it all for those who remain faithful.

Would we have remembered Sharach, Meshach and Abednego, if God had answered their initial prayers, changed the King's mind, and never put them through the furnace? Probably not. Their testimony was great because of what they overcame. It is the same for us. Our testimony will be far greater because of what we have been through and come out of victorious.

4. They had 'no smell of fire on them' (v27)

Sometimes, when we have been through times of difficulty or pain, we can come out of the fire, but still have the small of it on us. By this I mean that there is a residue of bitterness, doubt or unforgiveness still with us and still affecting us. God's will for us is that we come out of the fire uncontaminated. our faith and love and knowledge of God increased through the time of suffering.

Rate this Article: Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).

Article Tags: God, Suffering, Christians, Suffer

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/spirituality-articles/christians-and-suffering-what-can-we-learn-from-the-fiery-furnace-396353.html

Print this Article Print article   Email to a Friend Send to friend   Publish this Article on your Website Publish this Article   Send Author Feedback Author feedback  
About the Author:

For our story of gettng through the furnace, please come to http://www.ThingsTooWonderful.com

God Bless you richly and keep you close to Him - especially if you are going through your own 'furnace' right now.

Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free!

Article Comments

Comment on this article Comment on this article
Your Name
Your Email:
Comment Body
Enter Validation Code: Captcha


Related Articles

Christians and Suffering: Five Myths
By: Kirsty Cussens | 09/05/2008 | Religion
Why do Christians suffer? Shouldn't God protect His chidren from all suffering? Have you ever fallen into the trap of believing these five common myths about christians, suffering and God?

Allah is Asking you This Question (6) Have you Considered What you Sow?
By: Safaa Abdel-Aziz | 24/02/2008 | Religion
Allah is asking mankind this question: Have you considered what you sow in the ground? Is it you that cause it to grow, or are we the causers of growth? If we will, we would make it broken stubble; we verily could make it chaff and crumble it to dry powder. And you would be left in wonderment and lament. This question throws some light on the mechanism of the cultivation and the role of microbial flora in plant formation.

Apocalypse When?
By: Steve Sommers | 18/09/2005 | Religion
He only raptured up like about a dozen people and nobody much noticed it. All those other people who expected to be raptured up, well, he didn't like them so much because.

Christian Dating: are You Obeying God?
By: Gabriel | 09/07/2008 | Dating
Are you obeying God in your single Christian dating life? This article will explore some questions and answers regarding the important factors of Christian Dating.

Challenge in Life
By: Andrew | 25/09/2007 | News and Society
The article is about the importance of challenge in our lives.

Living As Lights In a World of Distrust and Evil
By: Dana Smith | 11/01/2006 | Motivational
In this nation we love, evil is personified on television before our eyes. From colorful bad guys with a yearning for wickedness to the real life dramas of serial killers, this evil saturates our lifestyles

Is the Quran Quoted From the Bible? (20) - Chapter 20
By: Prof.dr. Ibrahim Khalil | 17/10/2007 | Religion
The Old Testament Verses from 1-10 are talking about Abraham lied about Sarai and said that she is his sister and Abimelech who was innocent believed him! This story is not mentioned in the Quran The New Testament Verses from 1-10 are talking about a great parable of the three followers of the three religions, the Jews, the Christians and the Muslims. Unfortunately, the scholars misinterpret it although it is very clear! The Noble Quran Verses from 1-10 are talking about the Quran is inspired by Allah who: 1- created the earth and the heavens, 2- To Him belongs what is in the heavens and on earth, and all between them, and all beneath the soil, 3- there is no god but He, 4- To Him belong the Most Beautiful Names and 5) He knows what is secret and what is yet more hidden.

Enduring Hardships With God’s Love
By: Mashubi Rochell | 04/12/2007 | Religion
At this time of intense planetary change, many of us are being challenged and are finding ourselves enduring hardships of one kind or another. When we don't know how to get through a situation that feels overwhelming, we turn to prayer and our spiritual practices to find comfort and meaning, and yet sometimes it is so difficult to really feel ourselves held in God’s loving embrace.

Got a Question? Ask.

Ask the community a question about this article:

Frequently Asked Questions

Five Solas
By: Frank | 10-07-2008
When was the first time the term "Five Solas" used in regard to the religious beliefs of the Reformation?

What role does religion play when determining ...
By: traci | 10-07-2008
what role does religion play when determining cultural identity?

Prayers
By: carolina | 10-07-2008
The bible says that sin hinders Gods blessings and answers to our prayers. I have been praying for something while knowing I have not made things right as far as a certain sin. I'm unsure if the prayer was not answered because of my sin (which now I am making right, confessing, and repenting) or because it just wasn't God's plan for me. Should I continue praying or accept it as not happening because of consequence of sin.

Which islamic book describes every sin and ...
By: jmcdaniel4ny | 09-07-2008
which islamic book describes every sin and punishment leading to hell

What are some simple prayers as a new cristian ...
By: s~y~d | 08-07-2008
what are some simple prayers as a new cristian cause my dad just got saved!?

I know what God said, but what is He saying.
By: Debra Youngblood | 08-07-2008
How does this relate to women, when in Scriptures it saids what women could not do like preach, does this not show how God changed the law?

Q&A Powered by:
Powered by Yedda 

Latest Spirituality Articles

What Is Incense And How It Can Help You
By: Victor Epand | 16/07/2008
This article explains what incense is. It briefly describes the historical usage of incense by various cultures and how incense can be used by people to alter consciousness through the sense of smell.

Why The Summer Solstice Is Celebrated Around The World
By: Andrew Gibson | 15/07/2008
The summer solstice is a fascinating astronomical event and is celebrated in many countries around the world. The solstice literally means sun standing still in Latin. While it is orbiting the Sun, the Earth is also spinning around its own tilted axis.

Know Your Child by Astrology Sign - Virgo to Pisces
By: Matthias Zeitler | 09/07/2008
Children are precious and we can learn so much about them by discovering what their astrology sign is!

What is Your Calling? Find Out if You Have the Gift of Exhortation
By: Jackson | 01/07/2008
Is your spiritual calling in Exhortation? Exhortation is the language intended to incite and encourage. Exhorters also provide warnings or advice, make urgent and appeals. God is love and has blessed us with more than one gift. We all have many seen and unseen gifts and talents. Some gifts are more dominant than others.

What is Your Calling? Find Out if You Have the Gift of Evangelism
By: Jackson | 28/06/2008
What is Your Calling? Find Out If You Have The Gift of Evangelism and/or Pastor.

The Power of the Seven Spirits in Prayer Love and Faith
By: Jon Straumfjord | 28/06/2008
How do the 7 Spirits influence the actions of the Lord God? A good way to answer this question is to examine a situation that seemingly puts members of the 7 Spirits of God at odds with each other. However, even in these situations there is nothing other than unanimous agreement. The Love of God, the Holiness of God, and all the 7 Spirits of God always operate in complete unity.

Christian Business Opportunities Online
By: Obinna Heche | 24/06/2008
Today there is a huge market for religious items and advice. The public long for answers to some profound questions and are willing to pay if the advice is good and honest. It may sound ironic but making money promoting christian principles is a very real possibility.

Everthing You Should Know About Church Candles
By: Shaun Parker | 14/06/2008
A look into the way candles have developed over time and how they are used today.

More from Kirsty Cussens

Making Money Online: Five Myths You Need to Know About
By: Kirsty Cussens | 11/05/2008 | Online Business
Making money online sounds so idyllic. Easy, fast and lucrative! But if you are thinking of starting an online business be careful! Don't fall into the trap of believing any of these five online myths.

Christians and Suffering: Five Myths
By: Kirsty Cussens | 09/05/2008 | Religion
Why do Christians suffer? Shouldn't God protect His chidren from all suffering? Have you ever fallen into the trap of believing these five common myths about christians, suffering and God?

Wahm Wannabe? Can You Answer 'yes' to These Five Questions?
By: Kirsty Cussens | 21/04/2008 | Home Business
A WAHM is a Mum who is making money from home and enjoying her family as she does so. Do you want to become one of the many successful Work At Home Moms? Can you answer 'yes' to these questions?

Article Categories






Give Feedback

Sign up for our email newsletter

Receive updates, enter your email below