Suffering

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:4-5 (KJV)

Why is there suffering in the world? Does God allow suffering? Does He cause it? The root reason for suffering is that Adam’s sin caused the fall of mankind and brought suffering and pain into the world (Romans 5:12-21).

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10 (KJV)

Satan, the thief, uses the suffering that sin introduced into the world in order to cause pain. Our own bad choices can cause us to suffer. The bad choices of others can cause us to suffer. And because, as believers, we are in the world but not of it, we suffer as Christians.

God has given us a remedy for suffering. God dealt with it through Christ. Christ suffered so that we would not have to suffer what He did. There’s no need to suffer sickness and disease since Jesus bore it at the cross. He took our sickness and disease upon His own body (I Peter 2:24). We can be healed, living healthy and whole. That is God’s desire for us (III John 1:2). Jesus bore the curse so we could be blessed (Galatians 3:13-14). Yes, believers may suffer, but it is not the fault of God; it is due to people allowing the devil to get in and cause problems.

God’s will is never for us to suffer anything that Jesus Christ redeemed the believer from. However, God can use suffering. He is not the source of suffering, but He can use it to draw people to salvation. It is better for them to suffer as a sinner or backslider if it brings them to salvation- rather than suffer in hell for all eternity for rejecting Jesus’ substitution and sacrifice for sin.

As believers, we may suffer for living right, for standing up for what is right. We may be persecuted, but it is better to suffer for doing the will of God than to suffer the consequences for doing wrong. God cares when we suffer. Suffering is not His will for us, but if we do, He provides healing, comfort, and help for us to overcome it. If suffering was the will of God, He would not provide anyway for us to overcome it because He would be working against Himself..

Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all. Psalm 34:19 (KJV)

Through Jesus (His blood, His Name, His Word) and the Holy Spirit, we can overcome suffering. We don’t have to remain in suffering. God turns suffering into songs of victory, pain into purpose, and loss into gain. When we give everything to God, including suffering, God will pay us back, giving us double for our trouble. Every good thing comes from our good God (James 1:17).

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I have given numerous Scripture references in today’s blog post. I would highly encourage you to make the effort to look them all up and read them to establish this truth in your heart.