In the NIV--

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”  

In the NKJV--

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

In the AMPC--

“For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the LORD, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

Many believers want to know why they go through suffering if God has a good plan for their lives, as God Himself has declared through Jeremiah 29:11. Through the study of Scriptural parallels, a more complete picture comes to light. Through rightly dividing the general view the Bible takes on suffering, we may see the connection between these concepts. If we go through suffering with patience and continuance in trust of the Lord, which is the right heart attitude, we will either ultimately come out from the suffering, or God will sustain us in joy through the suffering. But even in that case, those things will still come to an ultimate end when we enter into Heaven. Furthermore, the Bible reveals the Truth that God uses suffering to help us learn and grow, and to refine, perfect and polish us:

“But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a whole, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.” (1Peter 5:10)

“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character, and character, hope.” (Romans 5:3-4)

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.” (Psalm 34:19)

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” (2Corinthians 4:27)

There are a plethora of other verses on suffering, some that call on us to look even deeper into ourselves and our understanding of God, however, this article intends solely to align the Word of God in regard to Jeremiah 29:11 when considering the above verses on suffering.

Moreover, we cannot forget that God tests us, thus, some of what we go through is meant to help us overcome certain things in ourselves that keep us from embracing these Truths, and leave us feeling sorry for ourselves; stifled and confused as to what God is doing in our lives.

Ultimately, going through hard things is worth it in the end, as God’s Word has also declared; we will have victory if we continue to press onward in Him:

“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith” (1John 5:4)

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1Corinthians 15:57)

“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37)

NKJV

Linzy is a certified Bible Counsellor, with countless republications on her viewers blogs, Bible Studies, Ezines and the like. Her portfolio includes, non-fiction articles, short stories for all ages, and Christian poetry.