By Shawn Carter,
Pastor, Meadows of Dan Baptist Church
How can we deal with all the Suffering going on in our world? That is the most common question I hear from people in all walks of life. Many people wonder how a kind, loving God can allow suffering. Responses that people have to suffering are deeply personal and are obviously going to spark painful out cries from the heart. I want to share what the Bible teaches us about the mystery of human suffering and God’s eternal perspective. Let’s look at some scriptures and see what they say about suffering and how we can respond to the pains of life. I want us to be built up and going forward in life.
Those who follow Christ Jesus know only a small part of the reasons or purposes that God has for our suffering, but it’s clear how suffering began. It began when Satan, who is the author of sin and suffering, came upon mankind and enticed Adam and Eve to disobey God (Genesis 3). Because of that choice to disobey God and eat of the Tree of Good and Evil, the curse of sin pervades all creation. Thus, humans have a sin nature. We see this truth in Romans 3:23, which says “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Thus, suffering can come about from our own, or other’s, willful sin and is a tragic part of all human life.
So, how can we respond to suffering in Godly ways? We must understand that blaming God is not going to help us depart from suffering. In fact, as we begin to see our pain in real ways, we begin to see that we can run to God and seek his help in a time of need. The scripture says it this way, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
We need to see that an all loving God is not the one who is bringing us the suffering. On the contrary, He is wanting to come alongside us, to help us as we go through pain. God knows that suffering is very real and should never be taken lightly. Therefore, God has set a truth in place that we can cling to in our darkest moments, and that is no trial can separate the Christian from Christ’s love. Paul the Apostle teaches this is Romans 8:38-39. He says, “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Some suffering is not because of wrongdoing or sin, but rather, it is because of how the laws of nature and our bodies were twisted after the fall of man. In the beginning, our bodies were created perfect and had no sinful defects. However, now, our bodies are devolving and not evolving and we have to live under the current laws of physics. Again, this fact is showing us that God has taken steps to undo that curse of sin by sending Jesus to die for us and giving us forgiveness of sins, which will bring healing for our souls. Yet, some will say, “Shawn, how does that help me deal with my pain now?”
Knowing and experiencing the soul healing from God can be the catalyst and the motivator for being able to endure suffering. Look, there is nothing anyone can say or do to shorten or lessen the pain, but we can seek the presence of the All Mighty and His comfort in the moment.
Sometimes, our suffering can be due to persecution and out right human attacks. The truth is those who desire to live godly will be persecuted. To handle this type of suffering, I want share the following verses: “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:12-15).
Notice that the above verses teaches us that we are to continue in the experiences of those who have gone through suffering and hold fast to the scriptures, which teach us how to be wise in these matters. The psalmist said his afflictions were good, because they made him more faithful and taught him God’s commands. Listen to what he said in Psalm 119:67, “Before I was afflicted, I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.” If we were hurt by someone, we can be faithful and trust God in our anger and learn to forgive. If we are suffering due to age or illness, we can trust God to walk with us and give us the endurance to make it through this life.
God will also use the pruning work of suffering to help Christians bear more fruit. Suffering produces endurance, character, and hope. 1 Peter 5:10-11 says,
“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” Is God wanting you to look at your situation and to grow spiritually? If so, take this time and seek His help is this process.
Finally, no one likes suffering and we all try to avoid it. But Scripture teaches us that the Christian’s temporary troubles achieve for them greater joy and eternal glory, and that outweighs anything he or she will suffer. Look to the following verse for your journey: “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). Look to Jesus.
