Why?.... Suffering

[AmateurPoet03]

Suffering is something that I always find myself rather torn about. Job is not a biblical book that I am unfamiliar with. However, while Job might have been ideally perfect in faith before his trials, it seems he let that same pride blind him before he received blessings for his faithfulness. It poses too a few questions for me that I am wanting to do some studying on.

Does suffering or hardship mean that there is sin in someone's life and that their pain is a result of such? Does scripture support this?

Is suffering more a means for us to grow in faith and wisdom? There are some letters of Paul to the churches that made me ponder on this as I have read much of the New Testament.

What can we gain from our sufferings? Is there a purpose to the hardship that perhaps is scripturally founded? How can we endure suffering and remain strong in faith?

Then finally...the one question that so many, and even now I find myself asking....

Why is suffering allowed?

Why does it happen to good people?

I know God is worthy of worship, praise, and above all TRUST. I just honestly have a longing in my heart to understand the harder parts of life and apply faith to difficult situations better, so that way sins through anger and or selfishness can better be avoided.

[missmuffet]

Question: "What does the Bible say about suffering?"

Answer: Of all the challenges thrown at Christianity in modern times, perhaps the most difficult is explaining the problem of suffering. How can a loving God allow suffering to continue in the world which He created? For those who have endured massive suffering themselves, this is much more than a philosophical issue, but a deep-seated personal and emotional one. How does the Bible address this issue? Does the Bible give us any examples of suffering and some indicators on how to deal with it?

The Bible is startlingly realistic when it comes to the problem of endured suffering. For one thing, the Bible devotes an entire book to dealing with the problem. This book concerns a man named Job. It begins with a scene in heaven which provides the reader with the background of Job’s suffering. Job suffers because God contested with Satan. As far as we know, this was never known by Job or any of his friends. It is therefore not surprising that they all struggle to explain Job’s suffering from the perspective of their ignorance, until Job finally rests in nothing but the faithfulness of God and the hope of His redemption. Neither Job nor his friends understood at the time the reasons for his suffering. In fact, when Job is finally confronted by the Lord, Job is silent. Job’s silent response does not in any way trivialize the intense pain and loss he had so patiently endured. Rather, it underscores the importance of trusting God’s purposes in the midst of suffering, even when we don’t know what those purposes are. Suffering, like all other human experiences, is directed by the sovereign wisdom of God. In the end, we learn that we may never know the specific reason for our suffering, but we must trust in our sovereign God. That is the real answer to suffering.

Another example of suffering in the Bible is Joseph’s story in the book of Genesis. Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers. In Egypt, he was indicted on false charges and thrown into prison. As a result of Joseph’s suffering and endurance, by God’s grace and power, Joseph is later promoted to governor of Egypt, second only to Pharaoh himself. He finds himself in a position to make provision for the nations of the world during a time of famine, including his own family and the brothers who sold him into slavery! The message of this story is summarized in Joseph’s address to his brothers in Genesis 50:19-21: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.”

Romans 8:28 contains some comforting words for those enduring hardship and suffering: “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” In His providence, God orchestrates every event in our lives—even suffering, temptation and sin—to accomplish both our temporal and eternal benefit.

The psalmist David endured much suffering in his time, and this is reflected in many of his poems collected in the book of Psalms. In Psalm 22, we hear David’s anguish: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning? Oh my God, I cry out by day but you do not answer, by night, and am not silent. Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the praise of Israel. In you our fathers put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed. But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads: 'He trusts in the Lord; let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.'”

It remains a mystery to David why God does not intervene and end his suffering and pain. He sees God as enthroned as the Holy One, the praise of Israel. God lives in heaven where all is good, where there is no weeping or fear, no hunger or hatred. What does God know of all that humans endure? David goes on to complain that “dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet. I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.”

Did God ever answer David? Yes, many centuries later, David received his answer. Roughly one millennium later, a descendant of David named Jesus was killed on a hill called Calvary. On the cross, Jesus endured the suffering and shame of his forefather. Christ’s hands and feet were pierced. Christ’s garments were divided among his enemies. Christ was stared at and derided. In fact, Christ uttered the words with which David opens this psalm: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” thus identifying Himself with the suffering of David.

Christ, the eternal Son of God in whom the fullness of God dwells, has lived on earth as a human being and has endured hunger, thirst, temptation, shame, persecution, nakedness, bereavement, betrayal, mockery, injustice and death. Therefore, He is in a position to fulfill the longing of Job: “If only there were someone to arbitrate between us, to lay his hand upon us both, someone to remove God’s rod from me, so that his terror would frighten me no more. Then I would speak up without fear of him, but as it now stands with me, I cannot” (Job 9:33).

Christian theism is, in fact, the only worldview which can consistently make sense of the problem of evil and suffering. Christians serve a God who has lived on this earth and endured trauma, temptation, bereavement, torture, hunger, thirst, persecution and even execution. The cross of Christ can be regarded as the ultimate manifestation of God’s justice. When asked how much God cares about the problem of evil and suffering, the Christian God can point to the cross and say, “That much.” Christ experienced rejection from God, saying, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” He experienced the same suffering as many people do today who are feeling isolated from God’s favor and love.

Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-suffering.html#ixzz2U3CrDjDN

[Tinky]

Does suffering or hardship mean that there is sin in someone's life and that their pain is a result of such?

Most sufferings are simply the results of living in a fallen and cursed world.

Is suffering more a means for us to grow in faith and wisdom?

It can be. C.S. Lewis said, " God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world."

What can we gain from our sufferings? Is there a purpose to the hardship that perhaps is scripturally founded?

Paul sought relief from God for the "thorn" in his flesh, but God told him that His grace was sufficient. (Read 2 Corinthians 12:7-10). God will sometimes allow suffering to teach us to more fully rely upon, and to trust, Him

Why is suffering allowed? Why does it happen to good people?

There are no good people. The Bible says there is not even one. (Romans 3:10) We are declared righteous through Christ alone.

The Bible also says that God makes it to rain upon the just and well as the unjust. (Matthew 5:45)

Praying for you, dear one.

[Guest man]

Suffering is something that I always find myself rather torn about. Job is not a biblical book that I am unfamiliar with. However, while Job might have been ideally perfect in faith before his trials, it seems he let that same pride blind him before he received blessings for his faithfulness. It poses too a few questions for me that I am wanting to do some studying on.

Does suffering or hardship mean that there is sin in someone's life and that their pain is a result of such? Does scripture support this?

Is suffering more a means for us to grow in faith and wisdom? There are some letters of Paul to the churches that made me ponder on this as I have read much of the New Testament.

What can we gain from our sufferings? Is there a purpose to the hardship that perhaps is scripturally founded? How can we endure suffering and remain strong in faith?

Then finally...the one question that so many, and even now I find myself asking....

Why is suffering allowed?

Why does it happen to good people?

I know God is worthy of worship, praise, and above all TRUST. I just honestly have a longing in my heart to understand the harder parts of life and apply faith to difficult situations better, so that way sins through anger and or selfishness can better be avoided.

John 16

³³ These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

We live in a world where the ruler is an enemy of God.

[AmateurPoet03]

Presently in light of these questions my husband and I are looking into leading our Sunday School class on reading one of three possible books. Two that seem to touch down very strongly on the questions I asked and the overall topic.

When Bad Things Happen To Good People

Why?

Suffering is something I struggle with in comprehension. There is a reason. That much I do understand. It is merely learning to accept that there are some things that should not require explanation that I find hard to accept.

Job too was an amazing reference and I appreciate the offer of that by others here.

Guess you could say, the pity me party, part of me was trying to creep out. Thank you all so much for keeping me on track.

[RustyAngeL]

We were not put here on this earth for the peace in this world. The only time that comes is when we fall fully into the Heavenly Fathers arms. Mountain top experiences with God are wonderful. But have you ever asked why farmers don't plant their crops on a mountain top and only in a valley? It's because the valley is where the soil is the richest and crops flourish. We do the most growing in our walk with Christ in those valleys,

We live in a fallen world and as long as we do we are going to see suffering, and hurting. But compared to what we have to look forward to for eternity this is just fleeting.

[enoob57]

Presently in light of these questions my husband and I are looking into leading our Sunday School class on reading one of three possible books. Two that seem to touch down very strongly on the questions I asked and the overall topic.

When Bad Things Happen To Good People

Why?

Suffering is something I struggle with in comprehension. There is a reason. That much I do understand. It is merely learning to accept that there are some things that should not require explanation that I find hard to accept.

Job too was an amazing reference and I appreciate the offer of that by others here.

Guess you could say, the pity me party, part of me was trying to creep out. Thank you all so much for keeping me on track.

One thing I would like to point out - the positive of the negative so to speak:

The only objection to suffering comes from the flesh and the formed understanding of this world- of which we are to be dead

to both! As the process of sanctification increases in our lives by effort in drawing closer to The Lord through His Word and

obedience to what is known... we change and we understand that it is all instructional on the why of 'sin is no good'... We

actually appreciate the response from God as He merges our thinking with His toward sin! Love, Steven

[AmateurPoet03]

Something else that came to mind, there really is no promise of paradise...peace...or happiness in our time on earth. What happiness, joy, or paradise that is promised is that in Christ Jesus if we live our lives for Him in eternity. Our entire earthly existence might not be that of splendor, but oh...the joys to be had with God in Heaven! Now that...that is worth any price!

[Willa]

Once while going through deep grief and loss I asked "Why would God allow His only Son to suffer so on a cross?" Now i can say "Thank you God for sending your only Son to die in my place." There are times that we simply can't see God's love working in or using suffering. We suffer much in my family from physical infirmities. I still can't believe that it is God's perfect will. I do ask God to use it for His glory.

But it is so hard to watch the people we love go through this. It is sometimes easier to endure it ourselves. But I continue to cling to God's loviing mercy. He took away my hubby's excrutiating nerve pain in his neck. It was so intense it caused his heart to go into fibrulation. He could not keep food down and lost 30 pounds in 5 weeks. God knew it was more than he could bear and healed him. But he still has arthritis that has calcified his wrist. He still has a lot of pain, and cannot have surgery due to his heart condition. The rest of our family, including myself, endure much pain. But our God is faithful. He continues to bless us in so many ways, having saved most of our grandkids. We are blessed beyond measure. Maybe this is our thorn in the flesh to keep us humble.

[GoldenEagle]

Why is suffering allowed? Why does it happen to good people?

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I meant to get to this earlier but with the server upgrade I wasn't able to until now. I've thought about this question before: Why is suffering allowed? Also does all suffering have purpose and meaning? Here's my thoughts.

 

First regarding suffering the good news is that our suffering in this life is only for a short time when we look at the rest of eternity. (1 Pet. 5:10)

A. For God’s Glory:

Job is the ultimate story of suffering besides that of Christ. Job lost everything including his children, riches, standing in society. And the incredible aspect of Job’s story is that he did nothing wrong and yet suffered. Yet God’s purpose was to glorify His name in Job. The pain and suffering Job experienced allowed God to share with Job who He was and what He was about. (See the book of Job)

B. Chastisement by God:

Sometimes people suffer because His children whom God loves He chastises and rebukes for the purpose of repentance. (Heb. 12:6-8, Rev. 3:19) The purpose is as well for cleansing of our lives of unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

C. For the Lord Jesus Christ & Furthering of the Gospel:

Jesus healed a man named Lazarus and yet he explained that the man had the sickness for the glory of God. (John 11:2-4) Later it is understood that some who saw this and other miracles believed in Jesus. (John 11:45) Some in particular believed because of Jesus healing Lazarus. (John 12:11) God was in complete control and had a purpose in allowing the sickness.

The story of Jim Elliott comes to mind. Jim was a missionary to natives who never heard the Gospel. They ended up killing Jim. Yet, years later many came to believe and trust in Jesus Christ.

We are told that those who are in Jesus Christ will suffer persecution. (2 Tim 3:12) Jesus Himself promised suffering that if anyone would come after Him they were to deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow in His footsteps. (Luke 9:23)

D. God’s Instruction and Teaching in Suffering:

God is at war with Satan waging the battles for the souls on men. As soldiers of Jesus Christ we’re to endure hardness at times. (2 Tim. 2:3) One of the fruits of the spirit is long-suffering. (Gal. 5:22) Sometimes I wonder if we as Christians gloss over that one when reading the others?

 

Long-Suffering

adjective

1. enduring injury, trouble, or provocation long and patiently.

noun

2. long and patient endurance of injury, trouble, or provocation: years of long-suffering and illness.

 

David himself, the man after God’s own heart, said that perhaps it is for good that bad things happened to him so he might learn God’s ways. (Ps. 119:71)

The of course there is the fact that all things work for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purposes. (Rom. 8:28) And yet we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. (Phil. 4:13)

Often God doesn’t want to change our circumstances but He wants to change our hearts.

E. Contrasting This World and Life What is to Come:

We live in a fallen, sin-filled world. In Revelation 21:4 we’re told in the Bible there will be a time where there will be no more tears and death will be no more. There won’t be mourning, crying, or any pain any longer as God creates the New Heaven and New Earth. So perhaps in this life there is suffering to contrast with what is to come?

Conclusion:

If God were to remove all suffering then He would also remove the ability of men to make decisions for good or evil. It would almost be like nullifying the free will that allowed Adam/Eve to choose to sin in the Garden of Eden. Through one man sin entered the world and through One Son of Man God provided a way (John14:6) for the creation of God to become children of God (John 1:12, 1 John 3:1). God doesn’t desire mindless servants or a form of robots. God desires a relationship with His creation. God desires to adopt us into His family and become co-heirs with Christ. (Rom. 8:17) God uses the suffering of the world as a result of sin to accomplish His purposes. However, I believe some suffering happens simply because of sin and evil in the world.

 

Praying for you and your family AmeteurPoet03.

God bless,

GE