Explaining the problem of suffering is probably the most difficult challenge of Christianity in modern times. Even ordained ministers and Bible scholars have a hard time explaining why a loving God allows suffering to continue in the world he created. I’m just a layman; a believer who loves studying God’s word and sharing what I know and think through my blog. Do I think I know more than the experts? No I don’t. But I do meditate daily on the magnitude and majesty of God and the issue of suffering is often on my mind. My ministry of writing about the kingdom of God was given to me by the Holy Spirit so I won’t belittle what I’ve been given. Let’s discuss human suffering but at the same time I want you to study your Bible and go to God in prayer asking for a personal revelation on the nature of suffering.
Romans 5:12 – Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.
Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 3:23 – For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 8:22 – For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pains together until now.
First of all, why do we always blame God for our suffering when we brought suffering on ourselves? God is perfect and his creation was once perfect. In the beginning there was no sin, pain, suffering or death in the world. The first man, Adam, was given dominion over the whole earth by God. But then Adam sinned against God and Adam became a fallen creature. As the father of the human race, that fate was imputed to all men who came after Adam. Sin, pain, suffering and death all entered the earth because of the disobedience of Adam to the commands of God and not through any action on God’s part. Adam’s sin allowed dominion over the earth to pass from him to Satan, who is the master of dispensing pain, suffering and death on the human race whom he hates.
1 Peter 4:16 – Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.
1 Peter 4:19 – Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful creator.
Philippians 1:29 – For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.
Romans 8:17 – And if children, then heirs – heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
God has given all men the freewill choice to serve God and obey his commands or serve Satan through disobedience. One of the spiritual truths of heaven is, “you reap what you sow.” In Adam’s case, he sowed the seeds of sin, pain, suffering and death by his disobedience to God and, as a result, the human race has reaped what Adam has sown because he is the earthly father of us all. God does not change. God dispenses justice fairly to all. It grieves God greatly to see all the sin, pain, suffering and death in the world. That’s why God sent his only begotten son, Jesus Christ, to the earth to defeat Satan, reclaim the earth and save mankind from their sins and eternal death in the fires of hell.
Joshua 24:15 – Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
1 Peter 2:21 – For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.
1 Peter 4:1 – Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.
1 Peter 5:10 – But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
It will take the entirety of human history (7000 years) to eliminate all sin from God’s creation and imprison Satan and all his demons in hell forever. Why does God take so long? I don’t know. God has his own timetable for doing things. God’s actions are perfect, as is his timing. God always does as he pleases when he pleases. We are not to question the motives and actions of Almighty God. The finite human mind cannot understand the infinite mind of God and his ultimate use of and purpose for our suffering. We know from our own experience that suffering is inevitable and that fact is confirmed numerous times in God’s word. The key for believers is to accept that suffering is part of the human condition and trust that God has a purpose for our suffering that will benefit us. Christ’s suffering and death is a prime example of this.
Romans 8:28 – And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Revelation 2:10 – (Jesus speaking about the tribulation period) – Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
1 Peter 3:14 – But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.
John 16:33 – (Jesus) – These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
We know from a study of the Scriptures that when we suffer for the Christian faith then God is glorified. The more we suffer for God the more we ourselves are glorified in heaven. Through stories in the Bible we learn that our physical suffering for God purifies us spiritually and makes us more fit to live in heaven. Our earthly suffering is an important part of God’s sanctification process for us whereby we become more like Christ over time. Jesus could have died an easier death and it would’ve still redeemed us. Instead, Jesus died an excruciation death on the cross to the glory of God the Father. As believers we’re called to suffer in our lifetime as Christ suffered, although not to the same degree. No matter what suffering we encounter during our life it’ll never come close to matching Christ’s suffering on the cross. Our Lord Jesus Christ gave us the example how to bear up under suffering with dignity and grace and if believers emulate Jesus in their suffering they will receive honor and glory in heaven.
Philippians 3:10 – That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.
2 Corinthians 1:7 – And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.
1 Peter 4:13 – But rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
James 5:10 – My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience.
When the early church leaders compiled the books of the Bible they didn’t know where to place the book of Job. The 66 books of the Bible are the revelation of Jesus Christ and they also chronicle God’s relationship with man in general and God’s people (Israel) in particular. Job is different from any other book in the Bible. Job doesn’t add to the historical narrative of the human race in any way. Job also doesn’t quite fit any of the known sections of the Bible so the compilers eventually decided to put the book of Job in the poetry and wisdom section of the Bible, after Ester and before Psalms. Most of the Old Testament was written by the prophets of God but the author of Job is unknown. We do know the book of Job is one of the oldest books of the Bible. Job was a man of God and a contemporary of Abraham so the setting of the story was in the time of the patriarchs which means Job could be as old as the book of Genesis. The question is why did God give us the book of Job?
Job 1:21 – Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will leave this life. The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Job 14:1 – Anyone born of woman is short of days and full of trouble.
2 Corinthians 1:5-6 – For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
James 1:2-4 – My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
The book of Job is in the Bible because God wants to talk to us about suffering. The book of Job teaches us that suffering comes to everyone, the righteous and unrighteous alike. Suffering comes to the innocent as well as the guilty. God does not always keep the righteous and innocent from danger or suffering. The fact that one person may suffer more than another is God’s choice as the Sovereign Lord of creation. God doesn’t have to explain his reasoning to his creatures, which we are. Ultimately, God controls all of life’s situations and we have to trust in God’s provision for us and his love for his children, which we are. In Job we get to see the veil of heaven pulled back with God talking to Satan. We see that Satan cannot harm one of God’s children without God’s permission. We learn that Satan does indeed go to and fro across the earth seeking to do evil to men and to cause suffering at every opportunity. The book of Job is a stark reminder that man is only safe in the arms of God.
Hebrews 12:5-6 – My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 – For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Hebrews 11:6 – But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Romans 8:18 – For I consider that the sufferings of this present age are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
The Bible has many examples of godly men who endured suffering during their lives. These men were no different from you and me. They were persecuted for their faith and, in many cases, they compounded their suffering by making bad decisions. Take the psalmist David for example. David endured much pain and suffering in his life and this is reflected in many of his poems collected in the book of Psalms. David was hounded and chased by King Saul for years and after David became king himself he was punished by God for his adultery with Bathsheba. God loved David as a man after his own heart but he didn’t spare the rod.
James 1:12 – Blesses is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
2 Corinthians 12:10 – Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Psalm 22:1-2 – (David) – My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear; and in the night season, and am not silent.
Romans 8:24-25 – For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.
We all remember the Bible story of Joseph, son of Jacob, who was sold into slavery by his brothers. Joseph was taken to Egypt where he was later thrown into prison for years based on false charges. Joseph suffered greatly through no fault of his own. Then we have the example of the Apostle Paul who served the Lord for forty years. Paul was beaten up regularly for preaching the word of God and Paul was often cold and hungry. Several times Paul was whipped, stoned and imprisoned for sharing the gospel of Christ. Paul also had some sort of physical ailment he had to deal with all his life. Paul endured his hardships and sufferings with stoicism knowing his reward in heaven would be great. We should all have the same mindset as the Apostle Paul when it comes to dealing with suffering.
Philippians 1:21 – (Paul) – For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain (go to heaven).
2 Corinthians 12:9 – (God speaking to Paul who asked God to relieve his physical suffering) – My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.
2 Timothy 4:7-8 – I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that day, and not to me only but also to all those who have loved His appearing.
Proverbs 13:15 – Good understanding gives favor, but the way of the unfaithful is hard.
God could prevent suffering but if he did that he’d be perverting his perfect justice. Instead, God uses suffering to achieve his own purpose in our lives. God can use suffering for good. God can use suffering to draw us to God, to prove our faith is real or to make us focus on heaven and not earth. Suffering can be used by God as a form of discipline to bring the believer back into fellowship with God. Suffering enables Christians to identify with and encourage other sufferers. Suffering can remind us that this world is not our home. Our citizenship is in heaven. In the end, the genuineness of our faith determines our response to suffering.
1 Peter 1:6-7 – In this (salvation) you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that in the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glorify at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Revelation 21:4 – (in heaven) – And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.
Genesis 3:17-19 – (God speaking to Adam) – Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, and you shall eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground.
John 18:36 – (Jesus) – My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I am not delivered to the Jews, but now My kingdom is not from here.
In summary, to live life is to suffer. There’s no way around it. Some will suffer more and some less. We have no say in the matter. It’s all up to God. What we do know is the believer has the hope of salvation. When the believer suffers in this life he’s suffering with Christ. When believers suffer they’re building up honor and glory in heaven. God has promised the believer they will not suffer more than they can bear. On the other hand, when the nonbeliever suffers they have no such assurance or comfort. They have no champion whereas the believer is protected by God. The nonbeliever is on their own and adrift in a sea of pain, suffering, misery and evil without end. They have no anchor in the storms of life. The nonbelievers are without hope which is one of the reasons they are prone to committing suicide. Decide beforehand whom you will serve, God or Satan, and also how you will endure suffering in this life. Gird yourself for the ordeal to come. Make sure you bear your sufferings with dignity and in such a way that it’s pleasing in the sight of God.
John 15:18-19 – (Jesus) – If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, therefore the world hates you.
John 14:6 – (Jesus) – I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Psalm 34:19 – Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
Psalm 33:11 – The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations.