Unnecessary Suffering | Ecclesiastes 6:1-12

Life is tough, and when we make bad choices, it’s really tough. Our suffering is not merely because of destiny or the devil; sometimes we suffer for our own dumb decisions. We see this in Israel’s story. Like parents who want their kids to succeed, God longed for Israel to thrive rather than only suffer, “Oh that they had such a heart as this always, to fear me and to keep all my commandments, that it might go well with them and with their descendants forever!” We will inevitably suffer in this life, Jesus told us that. But are there ways you are suffering today that God wants you to avoid? “For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.” (1 Peter 3:17)Take-Home Message: Not all suffering is necessary.The Suffering of Dissatisfaction (1-9)What makes me dissatisfied with the fruit of my work?Envy (4:4)Greed (5:13-14)Stinginess (5:13-17; 6:3-6)Discontentment (6:7-9)Take-Home LessonFind satisfaction in Christ.The Suffering of an Unwillingness to Accept God’s Plan (10-12)Take-Home LessonSurrender to God’s plan.