The Christian Who Suffers (1)

Suffering takes may forms. It may be defined as having to endure undesirable pains and experiences. Life is going to deal us circumstances that we don’t like and don’t want to deal with. But we must deal with it and doing so defines who we are and how mature we have become.

Why doesn’t God do something about suffering? Why does God allow suffering? We study about the love of God and how He blesses us and gives us good things. We know He has the power to do something about our condition but He doesn’t. We suffer. Then we begin to doubt God when He doesn’t take our pain away.

God made man and woman in His image (Gen. 1:26-27.) Human beings have the freedom to choose what they want to do. Now, we cannot expect God to create us free to choose and then have Him guarantee us happiness. If we are free to choose good or evil, then we must expect the fruits of the choices we make. We cannot load our bodies with sugar then complain when we get diabetes. If we drink too much alcohol, we expect liver disease. If we smoke too much, we cannot be surprised with lung cancer. Our suffering is often the results of the choices we make.

Sometimes, our suffering comes because of the evil choices of others. New Testament Christians suffered persecution because the Roman authorities and the Jewish leaders chose to ignore God (1 Peter 4:15-16.) In fact, Jesus suffered crucifixion even though He did nothing wrong and committed no sin (Heb. 4:15.)

There are many sources a Christian could study for profitable lessons on dealing with suffering. But for all our asking why God allows suffering, we need look no further than the cross of Christ. While we ask God “Why?” about our suffering, it is strange that we don’t look at the cross of our Lord and ask why. We have been given an explanation that satisfies us. Jesus paid the price for our sins by His death on the cross. So instead of questioning why God allowed His son to suffer, we give thanks for it.

“Where was God when my loved one died?” The same place He was when His Son died. Suffering on our part in no way shape or form means God doesn’t know what is going on. He does. He doesn’t insulate us from suffering but He does know our pain and can help us through it.

(more next week)