The center of our struggle is our flesh, which allows the other things to affect us more than they should. The flesh hates suffering, yet suffering is the way of the kingdom.

Suffering causes us to stumble

• 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. – Matthew 13
• The Greek is skandalizó: to put a snare (in the way), to cause to stumble, to give offense. Usage: I cause to stumble, cause to sin, cause to become indignant, shock, offend. – https://biblehub.com/greek/4624.htm. 
• Pain is one thing, but if you know what caused it and when it’s going to subside, it’s usually manageable. Suffering is pain that you can’t manage. Like, “this is too much!” 

We expect God to rescue us, but…

• When Adam and Eve sinned, God could have wiped out snakes. Instead, he introduced suffering to disciple us.
• God left his people in slavery for 400 years, preparing them to be a kingdom.
• When Jesus came as Messiah, he didn’t even mention saving his people from Roman occupation, as he was preaching a different salvation.
• God sent his own Son not just to die for our sins, but to suffer horribly on the way to death.
• 8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. – 2 Corinthians 1

This isn’t heaven

• We long to be with the One we love. And we aren’t, and we have to wait. Earth is in some senses the definition of suffering for us. We are separated from God by the space and time that he created.
• 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. – Romans 8

This is a test

• If we were born in heaven, we’d all choose to stay, so that’s not really even a choice. But here on earth the separation creates the need for faith. The pain of not experiencing the fullness of the kingdom he has promised forces each of us to choose our eternity.
• 12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed…. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” – 1 Peter 4

Eternity matters

• Jesus wasn’t healing people to alleviate all human suffering. He was providing a beautiful preview of what he is like and what the kingdom of heaven is like. That’s why he couldn’t bring himself to heal people if it wasn’t going to result in faith.
• 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. – 2 Corinthians 4
• 58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith. – Matthew 13

We matter

• God has delegated this planet to us. We are to make disciples of all nations. Athletes glory in their suffering on the road to the championship. Entrepreneurs proudly wear their battle scars. Our task is far more glorious, and requires far more suffering.
• 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. – Romans 8

Suffering is inevitable

• Jesus learned obedience through what he suffered, and we do too. Suffering is probably the most effective environment for producing transformation. It has a way of highlighting the most sensitive issues in our lives.
• 7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. – Hebrews 5
• 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. – Acts 14

God disciplines us

• We can pretend he’s not, or we can say he’s too harsh, but we are implored to endure. God really cares about our development. Sometimes it requires miracles, and sometimes it requires suffering. It’s how we respond that matters
• 5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” 7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? – Hebrews 5

Suffering can end well

• If we just hang on, suffering does the work that God intends, opening up our hearts to God’s love and the infilling of the Holy Spirit. This makes us rejoice.
• 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. – Romans 5

Suffering forges friendships

• Suffering together can create the deepest friendships. Suffering with Jesus is how we become close. Trusting him when everything seems horrible is one of the clearest ways we show that we love him. People who have walked with God through deep suffering have deep intimacy. So Paul doesn’t say he was crucified like Christ was. He was crucified with Christ. And now Christ lives in him.
• 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. – Galatians 2
• 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. – 1 Peter 4