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Answer
Suffering is an anticipated part of the Christian journey. Jesus informed His disciples, “In this world you will face tribulation. But take courage! I have conquered the world” «I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.», (John 16:33). This truth of triumph sustains Christians in times of suffering. Christians endure suffering for various reasons, similar to non-Christians—life on this flawed planet can be challenging. Christians may also face suffering for reasons akin to those of Jesus (John 15:18-19). Believers uphold an unwavering truth that the world rejects, that Jesus Christ is the exclusive way to God «Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no one comes to the Father except through me. », (John 14:6).
Suffering in any form was not part of God’s original design. All He created was “exceedingly good” «And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.», (Genesis 1:31). Sin tainted the world due to Adam’s disobedience, and sin continues to corrupt the world as we each contribute our own wrong choices, defiance, and self-centeredness (Romans 3:23;Romans 6:23;Romans 8:19-23). Sin also has cascading effects; our sin impacts others, and their sin affects us, even when we are blameless. Embracing Christianity does not
Insulate us from the ugliness in our world, nor does it protect us from the natural, temporal consequences of sin.
The book of 1 Peter addresses Christians who were suffering “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:”, (1 Peter 1:6). Peter encourages them in their trials, reminding them that their suffering had a purpose: “So that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” “that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”, (1 Peter 1:7). In other words, God uses temporary suffering to refine the character of His own children. James tells us to “consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4). Suffering, no matter its cause, can be used by God to complete us in Him (Romans 8:28-30).
There are several possible reasons for Christian suffering that are distinct from the reasons for the general suffering experienced by everyone:
1. Suffering may be a form of discipline. God is a good Father, and when one of His children goes astray, He may use suffering to bring him or her back. Hebrews 12:5–11 says that God disciplines those He loves. Verse 7 says, “Endure hardship as discipline; God is t
Treating you as His children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?” For example, when a man who spends all his time and passion at work instead of with his family or with God loses his job, it may be that God is toppling his idols to help him readjust his priorities. Financial stress may feel like suffering, but it could be intended to produce godly character in a person who has placed too much importance on money. Even if hardship has no link to a specific sin struggle in our lives, God can use it to train us. Parents, for example, often assign their children chores, not to punish them but to help them learn various skills and build a solid work ethic. Those chores may feel like suffering to the child, but they are being used to build something in the child that will serve him or her well throughout the rest of life.
2. Suffering enables Christians to identify with and encourage other sufferers. 2 Corinthians 1:3–4 says, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” Those who have experienced the grace of God in their trouble are better equipped to help others find the same grace in their trouble. Joni Eareckson Tada is a good example. A diving accident when she was 17 years old left her a wheelchair-bound quadriplegic. She deals daily with pain and lack of mobility but has allowed God to grow her and develop His character in her. For several decades she and her husband Ken have overseen ministries that serve the disabled. From summer camps for the mentally challenged to Wheels for the World, a project that provides wheelchairs to impoverished handicapped people, Joni has used her own suffering to benefit thousands. By allowing Joni to suffer for a while in this life, God is providing her a unique opportunity to store up bountiful treasures for eternity (Matthew 6:19-21).
3. Suffering helps us draw closer to the Lord. We often experience the most growth during challenging times. Suffering removes our artificial or temporary securities and compels us to delve deeper into the Word to discover peace and purpose. It has been said that “when Christ is all you have, you realize that Christ is all you need.”
4. Suffering reminds us that this world is not our permanent residence. Christians residing in more prosperous regions may struggle more to yearn for heaven compared to their less fortunate brethren. When life is comfortable, eternity appears distant. However, when Christians endure persecution, poverty, and deprivation, eternity begins to shine brightest in their lives. Frequently, suffering Christians have an advantage in maintaining their priorities correctly.
Some teach that those with sufficient faith will never undergo suffering. However, this belief is contradicted throughout the New Testament. From John the Baptist’s execution in prison (Matthew 14:1-12) to John the apostle’s exile to Patmos «I John, who am your brother and partner in tribulation, in the kingdom, and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. », (Revelation 1:9), the New Testament documents the severe suffering that characterized the early church (Acts 8:1-3). The individuals mentioned in Hebrews 11 were praised for their faith. Many, such as Abel, Noah, and Abraham, endured suffering. Hebrews 11:16 explains how they endured: “They were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, forHe has prepared a city for them.” We read of faithful Moses who “chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt because he was looking ahead to his reward” (Hebrews 11:25-26). Moses’ faith did not shield him from suffering, and in fact, contributed to his choice of it to gain something greater.
The author of Hebrews also speaks of unnamed faithful “who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted, and mistreated—the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground” (Hebrews 11:35-38). Living by faith in a fallen world invites suffering and requires an acceptance of a deferral of reward: “These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect” (Hebrews 11:39-40).
Our ultimate hope is not in this world or in gaining earthly comfort; our hope is in God and in His greater plan. It requires faith to please God «But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. », (Hebrews 11:6), and the faithful know that a lack of suffering is not a reliable indication ofHis pleasure. Neither is the experience of suffering proof of His displeasure.
The same hope exemplified by the people mentioned in Hebrews 11 is ours as well when we suffer for doing right “But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;”, (1 Peter 3:14). Even when we suffer as a direct result of our own poor choices, our suffering is never wasted. God promises to use even our most heartbreaking pain for good if we will trust Him with it (Romans 8:28-30). Paul, who suffered more than most, wrote, “Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). That knowledge strengthens Christians when they are called to suffer.
