Types of "Bad Things" / Trouble --
1 - Discipline/Judgement/Rebuke
2 - Tests/Trials/Persecution & Suffering
3 - Temptations/Attacks (Spiritual Warfare)
Acts 7:42-44
James 1:2-4 Every Trial has a beginning and an ending but in the
middle we may lose faith if we haven't developed endurance
Rom 12:2
Natural Responses to Trials --
Anger
Withdrawal
Stress
Fear
Guilt
Remorse
1 Tim 1:15-16 - Gain an accurate pic of our own wretchedness
Suffering may reveal about us:
Pride
eg: Expectation of earthly comfort & blessing
How conditional/temporal our love is
Sin - true state of our heart
True desire to be in control, level of trust in God
Reveal how far we have fallen short - how much God is covering
Prov 16:18
2 Chron 16:9
