Suffering: A Case Study - Surprised by Suffering with R.C. Sproul

Because God is sovereign, there can be no such thing as meaningless sorrow. In this message, R.C. Sproul addresses some of our most pressing questions when suffering comes, offering comfort to hurting souls.
This message is from Dr. Sproul’s 6-part teaching series Surprised by Suffering. Learn more: www.ligonier.org/learn/series...

[@davidartrip85]

I’ve been suffering from horrific pain in my skull from a rare bone disease for over a decade. I am so thankful for this being posted as I needed it desperately. So thankful for Dr. Sproul.

[@Yesica1993]

I can't even imagine! May God continue to give you strength to endure.

[@stayhumble6092]

May God Bless You With Peace and Endurance And Strengthen Your Faith In Suffering And That You Be A Blessing To Those Around You 🙏🏼

[@jakeromeopeniano7206]

God is with you brother!

[@uuttuubbeeshee]

You are example to us on Trusting in the Lord in its true sense.

[@whoathatsanicememe3093]

I'll send up a prayer for you...

[@candyapple7445]

Looking forward to seeing this man again in my Father’s house!!! ❤️

[@deannasage5491]

Amen sister me too❤

[@chibonchibon3967]

The man and us will be too preoccupied and amazed by the grace of Jesus Christ To mind each other

[@lukasbo2642]

Amen

[@NikNik0123]

Amen

[@donajohanna]

Looking foreward to see Jesus 👑 and he too!

[@LR-yu3mx]

In my l8fe, suffering brought me closer to my Father in Christ. The worst was losing my beloved daughter. Only He can help His child through immense emotional pain. 4 Years n9w, Only He can calm us.

[@Johnvalkyre]

I am quadriplegic paralyzed in bed after a bike accident since 14yrs. I used to wonder why why for years then recently 3yrs I got close to God I understood why and I was so thankful for it. My only prayer is I don't suffer more and be a burden for my old mom who takes care of me and God ends it soon.

[@nereida116]

I truly understand. Keep praying and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you to His Truth.🙏🏽

[@kathleen6349]

So little said on this topic in most churches. We're very prepared to rejoice with those who rejoice but very ill prepared to weep with those that weep.

[@user-kb2zr4ik2e]

I think the best answer in these type of situation is that sufferings are part of life but with Christ we have a eternal hope of no suffering at the end of the tunnel

[@thomasricardo9833]

„It’s the duty of every Christian to be Christ to his neighbor.” 🙏

[@Gerard-yt3dz]

To be Christ"like"............

[@donajohanna]

Greatfull for these 'tapes' of R.C. Sproul. I am suffering chronic pain and illness for 40 years now. This message is such a comfort.

[@saintejeannedarc9460]

I'm over 25 years w/ likely a similar syndrome. I'm looking into brain retraining techniques. There's a number of channels that talk about recovery from this w/ various techniques. It's hard to keep hoping for it when it's been so long though. Only by the grace of God. Praying for you Dona. Please mention me to Jesus too. God bless.

[@tonyafolks2862]

God bless and keep you.

[@bobbyg1123]

This is not a popular teaching in today's churches! It's not taught mostly due to the fact that the Sovereignty of God is not taught, either. R.C. was a treasured teacher! 🇺🇸✝️🇺🇸

[@nereida116]

Bobby - You are absolutely correct. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽The key doctrine is The Sovereignty of God and God's Attributes!

[@ravindrinrangasamy578]

I believe God delights in our suffering.... In this way our faith is tested.... So we don't give up and this brings glory and honor to He's name "although U slay me oh Lord I still believe in You and trust U

[@ReformedSooner24]

I think it’s more accurate to say he delights in our persevering and passing such tests. Not in the fact that we suffer.

[@beloveddaughter717]

This is one of the most deeply profound teachings on this subject of suffering. I just lost my dearest best lifelong friend, too soon, to cancer and much suffering. I am comforted by this word of truth. We must trust that God is love and that HE has purpose in everything. I wait upon the Lord for His promises and His LOVE to never fail, but in HIS perfect time. God BLESS you and thank you for sharing♥️♥️♥️🕊

[@Yesica1993]

My heart goes out to you in the loss of your friend. I hope you will allow yourself as much time as you need to grieve. That is normal. And stays in God's Word, even if sometimes it doesn't seem to be sinking in.

[@thecrew777]

If I were visiting someone suffering, I would only be able to say "I'm here" and hold their hand and offer to pray both then and ongoing after. If I were the suffering person, I would want my pastor to say "I'm here" and hold my hand and offer to pray and listen. That's it. Maybe even cry with me a little. There isn't anything he can 'DO' per se, as far as making it all go away. It's the comfort of having someone who knows God see my suffering who will then ask God to be merciful and do whatever is best and give me strength or relief, whatever He will. For me, that's what I come up with.

[@neinacelebre4546]

Listening not just hearing...lending ears to people who are disintegrating, melting, dying physically or spiritually can make a big difference, can bring encouragement, can lift a sagging spirit, or can serve as a soothing balm to aching wound...

[@KemJohanSolis-cz9vj]

Pain exist so we learn from it. Without lessons of suffering there will be no reward. We should thank God for every lesson.

[@Yesica1993]

One of the hardest things to accept in the Christian life is that God can, and often does, allow ANYTHING. That's part of the problem. We think, even if it's in the back of our minds, "God may allow me to get sick. But He wouldn't allow that PLUS a loved ones death." Or, "God may allow a loved one's death. But He wouldn't do that PLUS financial disaster through job loss." Or, "God may allow a job loss. Maybe even loss of our home. But He wouldn't do that PLUS a life altering accident." We may not say it that way, not even to ourselves. But the truth is that He just may. Has anyone bothered to read Job? It was disaster upon disaster, and in quick succession. Think of the worst thing you can imagine. He could allow that in your life. You have to decide if you are still willing to follow Him, BEFORE that happens. Not in pride. Not in Peter's, "I'll never deny You!", way. But simply to at least be willing. No one wants to think about these things. But we must.

[@timb8970]

God bless all those who suffer. I can’t imagine losing a child. Poor thing! She is definitely in Heaven with our Lord and Savior!

[@user-pl7si5pn5k]

God gives and he takes away. Job

[@mikemccormick9667]

Powerful message! Thanks Ligonier Ministries. ♥️RC 🙏😊🙏

[@valerieirvin249]

This is a most welcome discussion, thank you Dr. ⚖️🙏⚖️

[@karenbeardwilson]

Another great teaching and preaching. I am listening a second round. “There is no such thing as meaningless suffering”. Remembered - always remember. Powerful message. “Suffering, it still surprises, when it comes”. St. Peter in his Epistle 1st 4 th Chapter, “think it strange”. “God is intimately involved in our suffering”. Amen

[@uiPublic]

Proverbs 11:31 St. Peter interprets in here 1 Peter 4:12 more surprising it's only due to God's righteousness that His Son too suffered death as Christ, Also the line is drawn for obedience?!

[@thatoneguy985]

I had a friend whose son was born with a heart defect and he only lived for about a month. After the death of his son he renounced his Faith. We had almost 1000 people praying for him and expected a miracle and it didn't come.

[@Yesica1993]

These are the hardest cases. I have seen them as well.

[@gabrielamartiniuc6322]

Is the guy dead? If he’s alive, who are you to say when that miracle should happen?

[@thecrew777]

Not yet. God's answer isn't always "no" just because we don't see the answer we want when we want or expect it. Sometimes His answer is "Wait" or "Not yet". We do not know all that is to happen or the intricacies of the miracles God will do around it. As long as the person you pray for has breath, pray! (My mother prayed for me for 40 years - then I was saved at age 55!)

[@thatoneguy985]

@@thecrew777 you're right friend i can't lose hope. Glory to God

[@vahgeuvje10]

​@@gabrielamartiniuc6322I like the way you think. Its biblical.

[@stayhumble6092]

Word of faith movement and healing ministries teach that you are dealing with demons due to sin or unbelief it’s so sad that they go around judging and accusing people suffering they are so far from Christ to behave that way really angers me

[@mjmcnay3448]

I agree! As a person who is chronically ill I don’t want people giving me platitudes and giving me verses and scripture, etc. I do all of that research on my own already and I know what the Bible says about holding onto Christ during our suffering, etc. I don’t want people preaching at me when I feel miserable all day because of my health conditions. I just want somebody to come over and talk about joyful, fun, topics, keep it light, laugh, a little, and to spend time hanging out and acting like everything is normal. I hate wallowing in the reality, and I’d rather think about other things instead.

[@ksgsherley5885]

So, so good. A timeless "pearl" from Dr. Sproul we can all share with our fellow believers & the non-believers alike.

[@christianpetrov5415]

The wages of sin is death. It does not matter how you die - early or later in life, killed by man or by disease - God will do what He has promised. Pain may be to test us(bring out the truth of our heart), build us, or exercice jugement. Murderers and all those who cause pain, God must let them do it, otherwise, how will He judge the world if he stops every single bad action? The heart of man needs to be expressed - by love or hate. Trust God in your suffering and don't lean on your understanding. The wisdom behind all of this pain is just not for us to comprehend. Imagine a world without sin - how would God express Himself? All of His atributes and character will be forever hidden. Since if there is not Sin, where would Love show, and what about Mercy? What about His Wrath and Anger? What about His kindness and Justice? Without our World, all of these glorious things will never be shown. If anyone asks "Why is there anything rather than nothing?" You can answer that, this is a theological answer and not philosofical "Colossians 1:16 - For by Him(Jesus) all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him." Jesus is the center of all of this reality we are in. Have a great day and trust God. God with you.

[@bethanyjohnson2747]

I will forever be thankful for RC Sproul and can’t wait to meet him in Heaven

[@brianconkle1548]

Wow…. Such a great help to me today. Thank you for posting

[@amishpuritan9770]

I suffer from daily anxiety and Bi Polar 1 disorder. I need to have a Christlike view of suffering. Please pray for me.

[@Tia-ey1ow]

Thank you 🙏🏼❤

[@rachelzuniga5300]

What a wonderful man

[@ericnazario8486]

Amen, thank you!!

[@aumtheaum3827]

I have fibromyalgia. 😢 I also had the exact same thing he is talking about in loosing my baby at 8 1/2 months.

[@Gerard-yt3dz]

WOW!!!!! That's ALL I can say, besides, AMEN AMEN and AMEN!!!!!

[@jessyjonas4988]

I think I see Colombo😮

[@stevemartin1320]

While watching The Chosen (many times, each season), I've often wondered if the writer/director listens to RC's sermons and books. The episodes seem to match some of RC's examples and stories.

[@Yesica1993]

The story of his daughter was horrific. Of all the gut wrenching things that God allows in this world, the death of a child, especially a stillbirth, makes the least sense to me. How I long for this world to be DONE, already, and Christ returned. Please, Lord Jesus. Come quickly.

[@saintejeannedarc9460]

I so agree. It's a very harsh world and there's a lot of suffering. I so long to go be w/ my Lord too. The sooner the better. Always felt that way, since a young child. I believed heaven is wonderful, and Jesus is there, so it has to be. So why would I want to live a long life here. Let's get to heaven already and be where it's perfect and God loves us w/ perfect love, and all the things we puzzle over and wish we knew, we'll know them. And God Almighty, right there, no veil, no wishing for a fleeting touch, He's just there, right there. Oh Jesus.

[@ReformedSooner24]

This world will not be “done” but it will be renewed and restored out of its current state of futility.

[@goodolearkygal5746]

In 1980 they took my mothers stillborn girl and disposed of her. She still cries to this day that she never got to see her baby.

[@timcummiskey1178]

1988, wow.

[@dren168]

💪👑✝️📖🕊️🙏❤️‍🔥😇

[@davidmynhardt5705]

If you are still mortal flesh and blood - not born again . Born ahgain at resurection when you are made alive from the dead wirh a spirit body and be immortal . Your life sown in corruption raised incorruptable

[@neinacelebre4546]

Is suffering speaks only about physical pain and torture? How about the emotional and psychological tortures inflicted by cruel and devilish people?

[@thecrew777]

Every bit as excruciating. It's still torture, still pain and still has "why?" attached to it -- it just has that added why "Why evil?" That's painful in and of itself.

[@Yesica1993]

Of course.

[@Yesica1993]

Does anyone know the medical reason for putting a woman through labor to deliver a dead baby instead of doing a C-Section? It seems so unbearably cruel.

[@jem_v5619]

Great explanation but it doesn't make any sense to me, how he had no words of compassion for the woman that was dying of cancer. You don't even have to be a Christian for that. Maybe he was more in touch with his intellect than his feelings, instead of both.

[@Yesica1993]

Go see someone who's been battling cancer for 10 years and see how many words you come up with.

[@jem_v5619]

@@Yesica1993 I would, because I'm highly compassionate. There's plenty in the Bible, to comfort one another. Maybe your compassionate button is also broken like his is. Pray about it.

[@Yesica1993]

@@jem_v5619 Maybe your arrogance / pride button is broken. Pray about it.

[@jem_v5619]

@@Yesica1993 I have so much to say to someone dying of cancer, to comfort them and that's pride and arrogance? I don't believe you have met pride and arrogance. I have. I hope you meet extreme compassion, one day.

[@mtngirlbunny9290]

Having been in visitation ministries, we should remember not all pastors depending upon their type of role in their church, have done lots of visitation, he also did not know the woman and it is harder for men in general to know how to comfort women and many men are actually quite sensitive that they would rather be quiet for fear of saying the wrong thing and hurt someone in that situation even more. I have to remember this as well when I see pastors who seem not to be able to talk to the suffering and dying. They are humans with flaws too. PS. Did you watch to the very end? He explains more why he didn't say a lot to her.

[@dragandragic6601]

Just want to say Thank you from Germany

[@williamhallick6627]

R C Sproul appears to be a wonderful, compassionate and knowledgeable person His personal accounts of being a witness to the suffering of others are genuinely heartbreaking Human beings exist in an existential paradigm where suffering is inevitable Every living creature wishes to avoid suffering - and yet each one is compelled to cause suffering to another in order to obtain a meal The question is... Why? If God is compassionate, all knowing and possesses unlimited creative abilities - wouldn't a paradigm of less intentional cruelty seem more appropriate Perhaps God needs to be held accountable

[@mtngirlbunny9290]

I encourage to watch many more of the videos on this channel to help answer some of those questions. The Bible does have the understanding we need to deal with these complexities. God Bless!

[@wanda520]

RC is an amazing teacher.

[@wanda520]

Job required an answer too. Read God’s response.