Suffering Examination & Guiding Question list

Here is a self-examination questionnaire to help a believer wrestling with a category of hardship, align biblically minded and move forward while trusting God.

They reflect a high view of God’s sovereignty, His preserving grace, and the believer’s secure redemption in Christ.

1. When You Are Suffering

Purpose: To help you interpret suffering through God’s character, promises, and purposes.

Questions:

• Do I remember that my deepest need—reconciliation with God—has already been secured for me in Christ?

• Am I viewing this suffering as something outside God’s wise and loving providence, or as something He has allowed for my good?

• What specific promises of God am I forgetting or neglecting right now?

• Is this suffering drawing me toward prayer, dependence, and humility, or am I resisting His comfort?

• Has this season revealed any area where I’ve been trusting in myself instead of resting in Christ?

• Where can I trace evidence of God sustaining me—even in ways I didn’t notice at first?

• Am I willing to let God define what “good” looks like in this situation?

• What fruit of the Spirit is God nurturing in me through this hardship?

• Am I remembering the eternal hope that outweighs every earthly grief?

• How might this suffering equip me to comfort others later?

Meditation / Reading

• Psalm 34 — God is near to the brokenhearted.

• Psalm 42–43 — Hope in God when the soul feels cast down.

• Romans 8:18–39 — Suffering in light of future glory; nothing separates from His love.

• 2 Corinthians 4:7–18 — Afflicted but not crushed; eternal weight of glory.

• 1 Peter 1:3–9 — Trials refining faith.

Key Memory Verses

• Psalm 34:18 — “The Lord is near unto them that are of a broken heart…”

• Romans 8:28 — “All things work together for good to them that love God…”

• 2 Corinthians 12:9 — “My grace is sufficient for thee…”

• 1 Peter 5:10 — After suffering “a little while,” He will restore you.

2. When You Face Life Problems

(Everyday Troubles & Burdens)

Purpose: To expose whether we approach ordinary troubles with a God-centered or self-centered mindset.

Questions:

• Have I forgotten to bring this problem before the Lord first, rather than last?

• Am I responding out of fear, frustration, or faith?

• Am I assuming God is distant, or am I remembering He is my Father who cares for my daily needs?

• Am I trying to control every variable instead of submitting my plans to Him?

• What attitudes of my heart are being revealed by this problem (impatience, pride, anxiety)?

• Is my desire for relief overshadowing my desire to glorify God in the midst of this?

• Have I searched Scripture for wisdom regarding my situation?

• Is there a faithful step of obedience I’m avoiding because it’s difficult or humbling?

• How can I use this problem as an opportunity to show Christlike character?

• Am I measuring God’s love by my circumstances—or my circumstances by His unchanging love?

Meditation / Reading

• Psalm 23 — The Shepherd’s care in ordinary and difficult days.

• Psalm 121 — The Lord keeps your going out and coming in.

• Matthew 6:25–34 — Do not be anxious; your Father knows what you need.

• Philippians 4:4–9 — Prayer, peace, and the renewing of the mind.

• James 1:5–8 — God gives wisdom generously.

Key Memory Verses

• Proverbs 3:5–6 — Trust in the Lord with all your heart…

• Philippians 4:6–7 — The peace of God guards hearts and minds.

• Psalm 55:22 — Cast your burden on the Lord; He will sustain you.

• 1 Peter 5:7 — Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you.

3. When You Are in a Trial

(a testing of your faith)

Purpose: To help believers see trials as purposeful tests that refine faith.

Questions:

• Am I viewing this trial as random, or as something designed by God to test and strengthen my faith?

• How is this trial exposing the foundation of my hope?

• What is this trial revealing about my worship—what I love, fear, or cling to?

• Am I resisting God’s refining work because it is painful?

• Is my response shaped more by Scripture than by emotion?

• What virtues is God cultivating in me through this testing (steadfastness, patience, trust)?

• Have I asked the Lord for wisdom to walk through this trial faithfully?

• Am I looking for escape routes instead of endurance?

• How does remembering Christ’s own sufferings help me interpret this moment?

• Am I confident that God will complete His work in me, even if I cannot see the outcome yet?

Meditation / Reading

• James 1:2–12 — Joy in trials; endurance; the crown of life.

• Hebrews 12:1–3 — Run with endurance, looking to Jesus.

• Genesis 22 — Abraham tested—an example of faith under trial.

• 1 Peter 4:12–19 — Don’t be surprised by fiery trials.

• Psalm 66 — God refines His people through testing.

Key Memory Verses

• James 1:2–3 — Count it all joy… the testing of faith produces steadfastness.

• 1 Peter 1:7 — The tested genuineness of faith is more precious than gold.

• Hebrews 10:23 — Hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering.

• Romans 5:3–5 — Suffering → endurance → character → hope.

4. When You Suspect God’s Discipline

Purpose: To discern between condemnation (which believers never face) and loving Fatherly correction.

Questions:

• Am I remembering that God’s discipline is never punitive wrath but fatherly love?

• Is there any clear sin Scripture identifies that I have been ignoring, excusing, or minimizing?

• Has the Spirit been convicting me in a particular area that I keep pushing aside?

• Is my conscience unsettled because of guilt—or because I fear the consequences more than grieving God?

• Am I willing to confess sin honestly without self-defense or blame-shifting?

• Am I receiving correction as kindness rather than resenting it?

• What fruit of repentance is the Lord calling me to bear?

• How can I return to obedience with confidence in Christ’s finished work?

• Am I remembering that His discipline aims to restore fellowship and holiness, not to destroy me?

• How does this moment deepen my understanding of God’s fatherly love?

Meditation / Reading

• Hebrews 12:4–11 — The classic passage on fatherly discipline.

• Psalm 32 — The joy of confession and restored fellowship.

• Psalm 139:23–24 — “Search me, O God…”

• Proverbs 3:11–12 — The Lord disciplines whom He loves.

• Revelation 3:19–20 — “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.”

Key Memory Verses

• Hebrews 12:11 — Discipline yields peaceful fruit of righteousness.

• Psalm 51:10 — Create in me a clean heart…

• Psalm 119:67 — “Before I was afflicted I went astray…”

• 1 John 1:9 — He is faithful and just to forgive.

5. When You Endure Persecution

Purpose: To strengthen the believer’s resolve to stand firm when opposition comes because of loyalty to Christ.

Questions:

• Am I suffering for righteousness’ sake, or for my own unwise actions?

• Do I remember that Christ promised His people would face opposition?

• Am I counting the honor of bearing His name greater than the comfort of avoiding conflict?

• How is my heart responding—anger, fear, shame, or joy in being identified with Christ?

• Am I praying for those who oppose me?

• Am I more concerned with pleasing God than with securing the approval of people?

• What Scriptures can I cling to for courage and perseverance?

• Am I guarding against bitterness or retaliatory spirit?

• How does the example of faithful believers before me encourage endurance?

• Am I trusting that Christ sees, remembers, and rewards faithfulness even when the world rejects it?

Meditation / Reading

• Matthew 5:10–12 — Blessed are the persecuted.

• John 15:18–21 — The world hated Christ first.

• Acts 4–5 — Boldness under pressure.

• 1 Peter 2:19–25 — Christ’s example of suffering unjustly.

• 2 Timothy 3:10–17 — All who live godly will face persecution.

Key Memory Verses

• Matthew 10:28 — Fear not those who kill the body…

• 1 Peter 4:16 — If you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed.

• 2 Timothy 1:7 — God has not given a spirit of fear.

• Psalm 27:1 — The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?