Bernie holds forth about four causes of suffering:
- Sin in me (bad choices I make to my own detriment) — God’s purpose is discipline and correction.
- Sin around me (sins of others / fallen environment) — God’s purpose is to produce a stronger faith and, in our dissatisfaction here, a longing for our true home.
- Satan against me (the opposition made to those who are seeking to be productive for God) — “all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus ...” You know the rest. If you’re going to be productive for God, you’re going to get hit often and painfully.
- God for me (a loving Father conforming me — through suffering — to produce Christlikeness: “The fellowship of his suffering”).