God understands this. Not even when Jesus Christ asks the question on the cross. We ask why does God allow suffering because we need to express our emotions.
This is how we come to understand our experience and to receive comfort and strength from those who listen and care for us. But with time — and it may take us a long time — we need to get to the place where we stop asking why and ask what. What is good for me to do in my trial?
The Lord Jesus shows us how to deal with suffering and injustice by loving God with our whole person and loving our neighbor as ourselves, including those who are difficult or mistreat us. What does the Bible teach on pain and suffering?
All Bible verses are from the NIV84 unless indicated otherwise. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. I tell you, no! With the most amount of care, grace, and compassion, I want to attempt to address this very delicate issue.
All suffering is the result of sin which ultimately produces evil. If there was no sin in the world there would be no suffering. When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Two of the biggest are suffering and death.
However, I want you to be careful not to automatically equate any suffering you may be going through right now with some specific sin you have committed. This may not be the case.
When the Bible speaks of suffering, if you sum them all up, there are really two types that matter most: temporary suffering and eternal suffering.
Temporary suffering is the result of the fallen sinful world we live in; but is limited to this life. If you are in Christ, then the moment this life ends, so does any suffering you may be experiencing. Paul refers to this in 2 Corinthians :. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. On the other hand, eternal suffering is the worst of both worlds. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might — 2 Thessalonians If you are suffering, as difficult as it may be, when compared to eternity, your current suffering is only for a little while. This framework is important. Because to get a handle on suffering you must learn to look at it in its proper perspective.
Once you clear that hurdle, we can now look more intently at the question: does the bible explain why God allows suffering? There are great Christian apologists and scholars who tackle this question. However, it does point to a truth that we sometimes forget. This I believe is one of them.
I will get to the reason why in just a moment. At the root of all suffering as we established is sin and evil. Yet within that sin and evil God has the ability to turn the most difficult pain and suffering into something that becomes good and blesses many people. If you remember the story of Joseph in Genesis, look at some of the conditions of his story.
He was:. Can you imagine the pain and suffering Joseph went through during this year period of his life? He was innocent. I saw compassion in action. In suffering there is a message of unity. If you have been born into the family of God, you are a child of God.
You are brothers and sisters. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Because tragedy happened to you, it gives you a greater sense of oneness with others who experience tragedy. You can feel for them in that suffering situation.
Because we have been comforted through the Word of God, we in turn may be able to comfort others. First, it should be one of worship. Third, our attitude in suffering should glorify God.
People are going to watch us as Christians. Jesus suffered and died for us on the cross, but God raised Him from the dead. Jesus Christ now sits at the right hand of God the Father, and He sees our suffering. He sees our life every day and knows exactly where we stand. The Bible teaches that we are to be patient in suffering. Ask God to help you have a trusting, patient attitude, and flee from bitterness. In suffering there is also, I believe, a message of warning.
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