Welcome to the Paul Tripp podcast, where pastor and best-selling author Dr. Paul David Tripp

connects the transforming power of Jesus Christ to everyday life.

Why is life in this broken world full of so much suffering?

Does God have a bigger purpose behind all this pain?

In today's episode, we're going to listen to another session

from Paul's conference material, Portrait of a Struggle.

In it, Paul wants to help us think through suffering biblically

and how God can use it for our good and his glory.

If you're interested in hearing more on this topic,

you can purchase the full

conference at paultrip.com slash portrait. Here's Paul on suffering.

Well, realistic expectations surely means these four things.

That God for his good purpose has chosen for you to live in this broken world.

I don't know if you think about things this way. I think that in the press of life,

maybe we don't stand back and reflect as much as we should. But the brokenness of the world around you exposes your heart. That brokenness is very good at revealing things about you.

For example, traffic. You smile. Does not traffic reveal your heart?

You think that you're a pretty godly and controlled person?

Yet a bit of a delay of your self-sovereign plan pulls rage out of you.

Well, that comes out of your heart.

That rage is already there.

That anger is there.

Listen, nothing comes out of you that wasn't already there in the first place.

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