Are Christians supposed to suffer?

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   owhorspecialposted 11 years ago

   Are Christians supposed to suffer?
   
   I was once in a hostel room and happened to be involved in an argument "Christians are meant to suffer." To say the truth, I had nothing to say because when I looked at the persons talking, I was pretty sure they knew the bible more than I do, I felt I was in no place to talk. I didn't leave I just sat down and listened to them. The guy, who started the argument, made the above statement and quickly backed it up with a passage from the bible. "For the fruit of the spirit is ….longsuffering and perseverance..." (Gal 5:22).
   
   

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2. 71

   Darrell Robertsposted 11 years ago

   I am not a Christian, I am a person who studies the Vedas (books of Knowledge) and I try to practice the good that I learn from their teachings. That said, God created the universe so that the living beings could actually go and try to be happy.  What God did ask is that we always remember Him, and never forget Him,  The answer is an out right no, no one was put here to suffer.  We may have to learn lessons that in the end will lead us back home to the spiritual world.  This is why there is karma and reincarnation, so we have plenty of opportunity to enjoy, and learn what ever lessons we are supposed to learn.
   
   You may like to read the Bhagavad-Gita and see if that suits you.
   
   Best wishes
   DR

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      owhorspecialposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Darell Roberts... Thanks for giving me a little understanding in this question, (I voted up).
      Buh sowie I don't know what "Bhagavad-Gita" is?

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3. 61

   TNThinkerposted 11 years ago

   No one is "supposed" to suffer.  To say that people are "supposed to suffer" implies that there is a moral force in favor of suffering.  I see no evidence for such a force, and if it existed and wanted people to suffer, I would see it as an evil force.
   
   That people actually do suffer is a tragedy.  They suffer because of accidents of birth, because of evil done to them, because of natural random events, and because of human indifference.  But I can't see how they are "supposed" to suffer.  To what end, other than meanness and evil directed to the undeserving?

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   Micholiasposted 11 years ago

   We all suffer, but God does not impose suffering on us.  But to your question, are we "suppose" to suffer?  I think Jesus says it best because he knows we all will suffer from hardship in life...
   
   [Luke 9:23] Then he said to them all: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me."
   
   But also remember the other part of the story...
   
   [Matthew 11:28-32] "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
   
   In other words, Jesus knows that there are the many trials in life for each and every one of us.  Jesus himself experienced tremendous suffering.  So for those who live the Christian message, in order to live according to the teachings of Christ... it is at times a very hard road. 
   
   Suffering isn't just about religious persectutions.  We suffer through depression, anxiety, the death of a loved one, loosing our job etc.  However, when we take upon His yoke, and carry our cross... we allow our selves to be transformed by His unending love.  So again, its the sin and darkness of the world in which we live that brings upon our sufferings... but God isn't playing a tyrant up in heaven creating evil that causes only "Christians" to suffer. 
   
   Anyway here's a clip by Fr. Robert Barron.  He's got some really great insight about a variety of topics.
   
   "Why Is There So Much Disorder In The Universe"
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvqWTx8y … r_embedded

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      owhorspecialposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks Micholias ... I understand YOU.

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   kellyteamposted 11 years ago

   The Bible provides an example of one who suffered much and the kicker is that God started it. Look at Job 1:6-12. I won't write it all here except verse 8: And the Lord said to Satan, "Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man..... Job suffered much and God started it. He directed Satans attention to Job. But, the end of it all is this Job never blamed God or gave up his faith in God. In the end he was restored all he had lost and then some. sometimes its just a test. Without a test you have no test-imony.
   Sometimes adversity comes to give us an opportunity to see if we be in the faith II Corinthians 13:5.

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