Life in this fallen world includes human suffering, in many forms. Spiritual, physical, mental and emotional pain entered the world through the fall of humanity with Adam and Eve. Though all suffering is the indirect result of sin, not all suffering is the direct result of personal sin.
There are many sources of suffering and many reasons God allows suffering. Our own sin and the sins of others bring painful consequences, even God’s judgment. Life in a broken world brings natural disasters, sickness, aging bodies, injustice and difficult relationships. Christians are persecuted for their faith. Some suffering is God’s loving discipline, designed to grow faith. But sometimes, the reasons for suffering remains entirely mysterious, known only to God. Therefore, we should be cautious about explaining the cause of our own suffering or the suffering of others.
The universal presence and personal experience of suffering raises challenging questions. Some hard questions must be trusted to God, who understands what we cannot. No suffering takes place outside God’s sovereign rule (Genesis 18:25; Job 1:8-12; 2:3-6; Isaiah 45:7). God can use suffering, even suffering caused by sin, for our good and His glory. Hard times create deeper dependence on and intimacy with God. And we know that Jesus, the Suffering Servant, understands our suffering. The suffering God allows never diminishes His love for us. God so loved the world, that He poured out suffering on His Son on the cross (Isaiah 53:4-5; John 3:16).
Without a focus on God, pain seems pointless. No one likes to suffer. Our natural response to suffering is to seek relief as quickly as possible. Attempts to ignore or numb pain will not provide lasting relief or healing. The cycle of pain repeats itself as hurting people hurt others. Without hope that God will one day overcome suffering, hopelessness and bitterness take root.
But for the Christian, suffering is not just something to be endured … it is an opportunity to seek God more passionately and know Him more deeply. Faith grows when we lean into God and trust Him for needed strength when times are hard. Suffering can increase our spiritual sensitivity and tenderize our hearts toward God. Suffering removes the pretense that we have things figured out or that we can control what we cannot. Suffering strips away dependence on people or things that cannot satisfy our deepest longings. Suffering in this world makes us yearn for eternity, where there will be no more pain and where sin’s damage will be stopped. But even for Christians, held secure by the promises of God for today and eternity, suffering is hard. We must not minimize the anguish of human suffering, even as we embrace God’s higher ways.
Jesus suffered to overcome suffering. What an amazing truth! God did not sit on a throne in heaven and watch people suffer. He took action. He sent His Son. His Son suffered like no human has ever suffered. Sin, death, pain and suffering will one day stop when Jesus says so. When we believe Jesus Christ bore our sorrows because He loved us, we do not endure this world’s inevitable pain without hope. Suffering still hurts, but we can endure hardship and even death with eternal hope.
Taken from Bible Study Fellowship
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