Spiritually Speaking: How would you take it if someone said, "I'm glad you are suffering"?

It's been said to me. When I was a teenager, my father killed himself. Somebody told me that they were glad to see me suffering, because it would lead to my spiritual growth. They told me that my emotional anguish was a gift from above, that my pain would draw me closer to Jesus, and I should rejoice in it.

I was horrified by that. And still am.

I'd be offended too! What an awful thing to say! That is SO not Christian! I think God would find that offensive too!

If they like the fact that you're suffering so much and think it's a good think for people to suffer, perhaps they wouldn't mind if you inflicted some suffering on them!

Jesus never said that to anyone suffering physically or emotionally! He healed people's bodies because He was moved with compassion and He got very angry when they even suggested it may not be His will (Matt. 8:3) or if they tried to limit Him from doing that on the Sabbath. He was also moved with compassion when Lazarus died because of the pain it caused Mary and Martha.

Even if God allows us to walk through the Refiner's fire for a season, He's willing to have the flames touch Him as well just so He can walk close with us through it.

That person has a twisted (wicked) way of looking at suffering! What a jerk! What a royal JERK!!

The person might be a witch or something real evil, so consider that. I'd say stay away from evil people like that! Nobody ever said that to me, but the wicked did a lot to hurt me too. We get persecuted when we abide in Christ and obey him but it's all worth it!!!

Have a good day in the Lord!

Marcia

Is this someone you've had conflict with in the past? Then I guess it would be no surprise. I think I'd be pissed, too. That might inspire me to do a little spell to balance out the suffering.... let her "enjoy" a little of it, right along with me.

I would think that either 1) they have no self-awareness, or 2) they are stupid.

Sorry, that doesn't put that person in a good light no matter what.

I would ask her whether she feels bad that she herself is not suffering.

I would just think that they are Saul & I (David) am on the run

But I just have to wait & then I will be the real King

I would not want to be around a person with such an evil heart

Well it definitely depends on the context.. but from what it sounds like to me, that person is insane.

That situation calls for a Buttercup.

id say thats hardly a nice thing to say

and then they either would argue with me, or try to explain its not what they meant

either way, i said my piece and made it clear how it made me feel