“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” - Romans 5:3-5
Life is often difficult and painful. Following Jesus does not bring immunity to suffering. Some of the most notable saints have suffered greatly. None of us are promised a pain-free life.
Theologically, we understand that pain has come upon mankind because of Adam's fall in the Garden of Eden. Adam's sin brought pain and death to all of us. Yet we must confess that certain people seem to suffer more than others.
Skeptics would argue that either God is uncaring or unable to stop suffering. Neither accusation is true. God is aware of our suffering and cares about our pain. Yes, He can end suffering. One day He will.
For the committed Christian, pain is not a theological problem. While it is true that certain people suffer more than others, we do not argue or complain about this issue. We simply trust God with the things we don't understand. We know He can be trusted with all things, including our suffering.
Suffering may come in different ways. Many suffer physically because of disease or injury. Others suffer emotionally due to rejection, betrayal or personal loss. There are saints who struggle with depression and the suffering can be rather devastating. There are believers who wrestle with anxiety and panic attacks. Many are suffering today in our churches. Don't judge someone else's pain by your own experience. Their level of anguish may be far deeper than yours. Their capacity to handle pain may be far different from yours as well.
If you are suffering today, be assured that God knows about your pain. He knows how much you are suffering. He is available to hear your prayer. He has the power to bring relief. Take your case to Him. Also, enlist the saints around you. Have them pray with you about your needs. All of us need the prayers of others.
If God cares for us and can do all things, why does He permit suffering to continue in our lives? I cannot and will not speak on God's behalf. There is much I do not know. I can speak only from my experience.
One thing I've learned is that suffering is part of God's sanctification process. Isaiah wrote, “Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.” (Isaiah 48:10). Suffering can be part of God's pruning process, removing impurities from our lives. Just as heat melts away dross from a precious metal, the heat of affliction melts away sinful dross from within. Yet the sanctification process is more than just removing sinful things. It also includes shedding unproductive areas from our lives. It is impossible to grow in holiness without suffering.
Also, suffering makes us more like Jesus. While most believers desire to be more like Jesus, we don't always enjoy the process that may be required to move us in that direction. We have more empathy for others who suffer because of our own experience.
Suffering keeps us close to God. When life is easy and pain-free, we tend to drift a little here and there. Slowly over time, a distance grows between the Lord and ourselves. Pain has a way of reminding us of our need for the Lord. Suffering keeps us humble. Pain drives us to our knees. The promises of God get very precious to us when we are in pain.
Finally, suffering reminds us that this world is not our home. When we face pain and problems, we get a yearning for a better place. Apart from suffering, we tend to plant our roots too deeply in the soil of this world. Pain reminds us that we are not permanent residents of this world. We have reservations for a place far better than this. Our passion for heaven grows as we endure afflictions in this world.
God is in control of all things. He is very knowledgeable of your situation. He cares about you. Yet His concern runs deeper than the superficial concerns of daily life. His desire is for you to grow in holiness and become more like Jesus. Thus, suffering can be part of His plan. Realizing this, we should join with the Apostle Paul and say, “... we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”
While God permits suffering in this world, it is only temporary for the child of God.
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