Questions & Answers

By: Matthew Statler

Pastor and biblical counselor at Sierra Vista Baptist Church, glorifying God through shepherding His people, applying the Word to trauma and suffering, and training others to counsel biblically. He wrote the Catechism of Suffering first for himself.

#PURP31 What is God's purpose in the suffering of His people? God uses suffering to make His people more like Christ, deepening faith, producing holiness, endurance and hope.
#PURP32 How does suffering reveal our hearts? Suffering exposes what we love, trust, and treasure, revealing the desires and conflicts within that show where our hope truly lies.
#PURP33 What does suffering teach us about sin? It teaches us that sin is destructive and that only God's grace can heal what is broken.
#PURP34 How does suffering produce endurance? By teaching us to rely on God's strength rather than our own and to persevere in faith when comfort is absent.
#PURP35 How does suffering shape our character? It refines our faith like gold, growing humility, patience, and compassion for others.
#PURP36 How does suffering strengthen hope? Through trials, we learn that this world cannot satisfy and that eternal glory far outweighs present pain.
#PURP37 Does suffering make us more dependent on God? Yes. In weakness we discover God's power, and in affliction we learn that His grace is sufficient.
#PURP38 What happens when we resist God in suffering? We forfeit peace and growth, revealing pride that trusts self over God, allowing bitterness to take root instead of trust and repentance.
#PURP39 What happens when we submit to God in suffering? We find rest for our souls, joy in trials, and a deeper communion with Christ who suffered for us.
#PURP40 How should believers interpret suffering in light of the cross? The cross proves that God brings life through death, victory through weakness, and glory through pain.
#COMF41 What comfort does God give to His suffering people? God comforts us by His presence, His promises, and His people, assuring us that He is with us in every trial.
#COMF42 What role does Scripture play in our suffering? The Word of God revives the weary soul, teaches us in our affliction, interprets our pain rightly, and anchors our hope in His truth.
#COMF43 How does prayer sustain us in affliction? Prayer draws our hearts to God, turns despair into dependence, and teaches us to rest in His will.
#COMF44 What if we cannot find words to pray? The Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
#COMF45 How does the church comfort the suffering? The church bears one another's burdens, weeps with those who weep, and reminds the hurting of God's steadfast love.
#COMF46 Why must suffering not be faced alone? Because Christ designed His people for fellowship, where comfort multiplies and faith is strengthened together.
#COMF47 What part does worship play in enduring suffering? Worship lifts our eyes from pain to the beauty of God, teaching us to rejoice even in the midst of sorrow.
#COMF48 How does remembering God's faithfulness bring comfort? Remembering His past mercies strengthens present trust, fuels future hope, and, in the testimony of the saints, displays His glory to help others endure.
#COMF49 How should we speak to one another in times of suffering? With gentleness and grace-filled truth, speaking words seasoned with wisdom that offer the same comfort we have received from God.
#COMF50 What promise enables believers to persevere through suffering? That the God who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion in Christ Jesus.
#GLORY51 Will suffering last forever? No. For those in Christ, every sorrow will end when death is destroyed and all things are made new.
#GLORY52 What happens to the believer after death? The believer's soul departs to be with Christ, which is far better, while the body rests until the resurrection.
#GLORY53 What hope awaits the church at Christ's return? The resurrection of the body, the renewal of creation, and the everlasting joy of dwelling with God.
#GLORY54 How does this future hope shape our present suffering? It teaches us that present afflictions are light and momentary, preparing us for an eternal weight of glory.
#GLORY55 What will happen to pain and tears in the new creation? God Himself will wipe away every tear, and pain, sorrow, and death shall be no more.
#GLORY56 What will we see in the age to come? We will see the face of Christ, our Redeemer, and be perfectly satisfied in His glory forever.
#GLORY57 How does the hope of glory purify us now? Those who hope in Christ's appearing purify themselves, living in holiness as He is holy.
#GLORY58 What song will the redeemed sing in eternity? "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, for He has redeemed us by His blood and made us a kingdom of priests to our God."
#GLORY59 What will the end of all suffering reveal? The perfect wisdom, goodness, and faithfulness of God, who works all things for His glory and our joy in Him.
#GLORY60 How should believers live while they wait for glory? With endurance, joy, and steadfast faith, fixing their eyes on Jesus, the founder and perfecter of their faith.

Showing 31 - 60 of 60