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God’s Purpose in Our Pain
Show Summary
Suffering is one of the hardest realities of life in a fallen world. Yet for the Christian, our pain is never pointless. In this episode of Anchored in the Word, Dave Jenkins walks through key Scriptures to show how God uses suffering to humble us, refine our faith, bear witness to the world, and point us to eternal glory in Christ.Audio Player
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Episode Notes
1. Suffering Reminds Us of Our Need for God
- Trials strip away self-reliance and drive us to depend on the Lord.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9–10 — God’s power is made perfect in weakness.
- Suffering humbles us and reminds us that God is in control, not us.
2. Suffering Refines Our Faith
- James 1:2–4 — “Count it all joy… for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”
- Trials act like a refiner’s fire, purifying our character and growing endurance.
- Romans 5:3–5 — Suffering produces endurance, character, and hope.
3. Suffering Witnesses to the World
- When believers endure suffering with hope, the watching world takes notice.
- 1 Peter 3:15 — Always be prepared to give a reason for the hope that is in you.
- The early church grew through persecution, showing that Christ is worth more than comfort.
4. Suffering Points Us to Eternal Glory
- 2 Corinthians 4:16–18 — “This light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.”
- Earthly suffering is temporary, but eternal life with Christ is forever.
- Suffering loosens our grip on this world and lifts our eyes to heaven.
Call to Action
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Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah. He is a writer, editor, and speaker living in beautiful Southern Oregon. Dave is a lover of Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology. He serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries, the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine, the Host and Producer of Equipping You in Grace Podcast, and is a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word. He is the author of The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024). You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, or read his newsletter. Dave loves to spend time with his wife, going to movies, eating at a nice restaurant, or going out for a round of golf with a good friend. He is also a voracious reader, in particular of Reformed theology, and the Puritans. You will often find him when he’s not busy with ministry reading a pile of the latest books from a wide variety of Christian publishers. Dave received his M.A.R. and M.Div through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
