Why does a benevolent God permit suffering?
This question often surfaces when life presents challenges or when tragedy strikes.
The Bible provides us with insights into this complex issue, outlining seven key reasons why God allows suffering.
In this article, we will delve into these reasons, bringing light to the often misunderstood correlation between suffering and divine purpose.
We aim to reveal how every trial has a purpose and how it can be a catalyst for spiritual growth and resilience. This understanding can provide comfort and perspective during difficult times.
1. Suffering as a tool for spiritual growth
Life’s most profound lessons often come wrapped in the cloak of suffering. It may seem counterintuitive, but suffering can act as a catalyst for spiritual growth.
When we face trials, our faith is put to the test. It’s during these times we are driven to seek God with a fervor that is often absent in times of comfort and prosperity.
We’re provoked to delve deeper into Scripture, pray with more intensity, and lean on our faith community.
Through suffering, God refines us. Like a metalsmith uses fire to purify gold, God uses our trials to purge us of selfishness, pride, and other spiritual hindrances.
The process can be painful, but the end product is a believer forged stronger and more resilient in their faith.
This spiritual growth and strengthening of faith not only benefit us as individuals but also serve as a testament to others. Our perseverance can inspire others and bring glory to God.
2. It reminds us of our humanity and reliance on God
In the face of suffering, we are reminded of our vulnerability and mortality, two undeniable aspects of our human existence.
This realization can be a humbling experience, leading us to understand our inherent need for God.
When everything is going well, it’s easy to forget our reliance on God. We may even be tempted to believe that we’re self-sufficient.
However, suffering often shatters this illusion. It forces us to recognize that we’re not invincible and that we need God’s strength and guidance.
In the midst of suffering, many turn to prayer seeking solace and comfort. It is during these times of despair that our relationship with God can deepen.
That’s when we learn to trust Him more fully, surrendering our struggles and acknowledging His sovereignty.
The Bible reminds us in 2 Corinthians 1:9, “Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.”
Therefore, suffering serves as a potent reminder of our human fragility and the need for divine reliance.
3. It’s a testament to human resilience and the power of faith
While it’s undeniably challenging, suffering can also serve as an unusual platform for demonstrating human resilience and the power of faith.
As we navigate through the stormy seas of suffering, we discover an inner strength that we may not have been aware of.
This resilience, shaped and nurtured by our faith in God, often surprises us. We suddenly find ourselves capable of enduring far more than we ever imagined.
In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Paul shares a profound truth he learned in his suffering:
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
Here’s the counterintuitive part:
Our weaknesses and struggles can become a stage where God’s strength and grace are magnified. Our resilience in the face of suffering becomes a testament to God’s power at work within us, inspiring others and glorifying Him.
So let’s embrace this perspective shift – seeing suffering not as a sign of defeat but as an opportunity to showcase divine strength and human resilience.
4. It’s an inherent part of life due to human sin and free will
Ever wondered why suffering exists in the world to begin with?
According to biblical teachings, suffering is an inherent part of life due to human sin and the exercise of free will.
Specifically, Genesis 3 recounts the fall of man, where Adam and Eve chose to disobey God. This act of disobedience, or sin, introduced suffering and death into the world.
While it’s a hard pill to swallow, this understanding can help us make sense of the world we live in. It allows us to see suffering not as a punishment from God, but as a consequence of living in a fallen world.
But here’s the good news:
Despite the reality of suffering, God offers redemption through Jesus Christ. As Christians, we hold onto the promise that while we may experience trials in this life, there is hope for a future free from suffering.
Insight: The Bible promises in Revelation 21:4, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
5. It prompts us to seek justice and display compassion
Suffering, especially when experienced by others, often prompts us to seek justice and display compassion.
As Christians, we are called to “mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15) and to “act justly and to love mercy” (Micah 6:8).
When we witness or experience suffering:
- We are moved to pray for those in need.
- We are compelled to act against injustice.
- We develop empathy for others’ experiences.
- We strive to bring comfort and aid.
In essence, suffering can serve as a catalyst for us to embody Christ’s love in tangible ways toward those who are suffering.
The Bible is full of stories where the trials of individuals led to acts of compassion and justice, ultimately revealing God’s heart for the afflicted and oppressed.
Insight: Proverbs 31:9 says, “Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” This verse affirms our responsibility as believers to stand up for justice and care for those in need.
6. Suffering allows us to experience God’s comfort
Let’s be real:
Suffering is hard.
It’s painful, disorientating, and can feel utterly isolating.
But there’s an underappreciated aspect of suffering that we often overlook – it allows us to experience God’s comfort in a profound way.
When we’re in the midst of suffering, we can feel like we’re in a dark tunnel with no end in sight. But it’s precisely in these moments that we can experience God’s comfort in a way that is incredibly powerful and personal.
God doesn’t abandon us in our suffering. Quite the opposite. He walks with us through it, offering comfort, strength, and peace amidst the storm.
As Psalm 34:18 assures us, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Experiencing God’s comfort in times of suffering can deepen our relationship with Him. It helps us to see Him not just as a distant deity, but as a loving Father who cares deeply about our pain and heartache.
In essence, suffering opens up an opportunity for us to experience firsthand the depth of God’s love and compassion toward us. It provides a unique perspective on His character that we may not fully grasp during times of ease and comfort.
7. It provides a platform to witness God’s deliverance
Imagine you’re in a situation where everything seems to be falling apart.
Your heart is heavy with despair, and you can’t see a way out. Can you recall a moment when you were in such depths of suffering?
In those moments, it might feel as though God is distant or uncaring.
But here’s the truth: God often uses the most challenging times in our lives as a platform to showcase His power and deliverance.
The Bible is replete with stories of individuals who faced intense suffering, only to experience miraculous deliverance. Think about Job, Joseph, and Paul.
Their stories echo the same truth: God is a deliverer.
God not only provides comfort in our suffering but also delivers us from it. This deliverance may not always look like what we expect or happen in our desired timeframe.
Yet, it assures us that our suffering is not in vain.
Experiencing God’s deliverance can strengthen our faith, give us hope, and serve as a powerful testimony to others. It reinforces the truth that even in suffering, God is working for our good and His glory.
Where do we go from here?
Understanding why God allows suffering can be a challenging, but transformative part of our faith journey.
It can deepen our relationship with God, enhance our spiritual growth, and create a profound sense of empathy towards others who are suffering.
This is not the end, but rather a beginning. As believers, we are called to respond to suffering with faith, compassion, and resilience.
This involves seeking God amidst suffering, helping others in their trials, and using our experiences as a testament to God’s grace and deliverance.
Next Steps:
- Seek God’s comfort through prayer and scripture reading.
- Provide support to those around you who are suffering.
- Share your story of endurance and deliverance to inspire others.
This understanding is not just for us to keep, but to share. As we share our experiences and insights, we can help others find peace and purpose in their own journey of understanding suffering.
What would Jesus say?
Unsure whether to move on from a failed marriage? Struggling with desire and feeling guilty for it? Wanting to live a life Jesus would be proud of?
Let Jesus tell you how to be a good Christian according to the teachings of the Bible.
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