SpiriseBible
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28 (KJV)
This beloved verse doesn't promise that all things are good—suffering, loss, and pain are decidedly not good in themselves. Rather, it promises that God works all things together for good. Like a master chef combining bitter and sweet ingredients to create a magnificent dish, God takes the bitter experiences of life and weaves them into His beautiful purpose. Understanding suffering's meaning doesn't eliminate its pain but transforms our response to it.
The Reality of Suffering
Scripture never minimizes suffering's difficulty:
Suffering is universal: "Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble" (Job 14:1). No one escapes suffering entirely.
Christians aren't exempt: "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12). Faith doesn't provide immunity.
Jesus suffered supremely: "A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief" (Isaiah 53:3). Our Savior knows suffering intimately.
Suffering varies: Physical pain, emotional anguish, relational loss, spiritual darkness—suffering takes many forms.
Why Does God Allow Suffering?
Scripture reveals multiple purposes:
Consequence of the Fall: "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin" (Romans 5:12). We live in a broken world.
Develops character: "But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you" (1 Peter 5:10).
Deepens dependence: "And lest I should be exalted above measure... there was given to me a thorn in the flesh" (2 Corinthians 12:7). Weakness drives us to God.
Refines faith: "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire" (1 Peter 1:7).
Prepares for ministry: "Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble" (2 Corinthians 1:4).
God's Purposes in Our Pain
Suffering serves redemptive purposes:
Conformity to Christ: "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son" (Romans 8:29). Suffering shapes us like Jesus.
Spiritual fruit: "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness" (Hebrews 12:11).
Eternal perspective: "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Corinthians 4:17).
Witness to others: "That the works of God should be made manifest in him" (John 9:3). Our response to suffering testifies to God's sustaining grace.
Greater intimacy: "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings" (Philippians 3:10).
What Suffering Is Not
Correcting misconceptions about suffering:
- Not always punishment: "Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither" (John 9:2-3)
- Not sign of God's absence: "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee" (Isaiah 43:2)
- Not indication of weak faith: Paul had great faith yet suffered greatly
- Not meaningless: God wastes nothing in our lives
- Not permanent: "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning" (Psalm 30:5)
How to Suffer Well
Biblical principles for navigating suffering:
1. Be honest with God: "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46). Even Jesus expressed anguish.
2. Don't suffer alone: "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2). Accept help and comfort.
3. Cling to God's promises: "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed" (Romans 8:18).
4. Look for purpose: Ask not "Why?" but "What now?" and "How can God use this?"
5. Help others suffer: Use your pain to minister to others in similar situations.
6. Maintain eternal perspective: "For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day" (2 Corinthians 4:16).
God's Presence in Suffering
We're never alone in our pain:
- He limits suffering: "God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able" (1 Corinthians 10:13)
- He provides grace: "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9)
- He offers comfort: "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort" (2 Corinthians 1:3)
- He shares our pain: "In all their affliction he was afflicted" (Isaiah 63:9)
- He promises deliverance: "Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all" (Psalm 34:19)
The Example of Job
Job's suffering teaches crucial lessons:
- Righteous people do suffer severely
- We may never know the full "why" this side of heaven
- God is sovereign even when we don't understand
- Faith can survive devastating loss
- God ultimately restores and blesses
"Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him" (Job 13:15). This is faith refined by fire.
Suffering and Witness
Our response to suffering impacts others:
- Unbelievers watch how Christians handle pain
- Faith under fire validates the gospel
- Joy in trials confounds worldly wisdom
- Peaceful suffering points to eternal hope
- Shared suffering builds deep community
"That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights" (Philippians 2:15).
The Ultimate Answer
The cross provides suffering's ultimate meaning:
- God doesn't exempt Himself from suffering
- The worst suffering produced the greatest good
- God redeems suffering for glorious purposes
- Our suffering joins us to Christ's
- Resurrection follows crucifixion
"For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings" (Hebrews 2:10).
Reflection Questions
- How has past suffering shaped your character and faith? Can you see God's purposes now?
- What current suffering challenges your faith? How might God be working through it?
- Who in your life needs comfort in their suffering? How can your experiences help them?
Prayer
Sovereign Lord, You work all things together for good, even the painful things I don't understand. Thank You that no suffering is wasted in Your economy. Help me trust Your purposes when I can't trace Your hand. In my current trials, grant me grace to suffer well—with faith, hope, and even joy. Use my pain to make me more like Jesus, to prepare me for ministry, and to display Your glory. Comfort me with Your presence and promises. Give me eternal perspective that sees beyond present pain. Help me comfort others with the comfort I've received from You. May my suffering serve Your redemptive purposes. In Jesus' name, who suffered for my salvation, Amen.
Today's Challenge
Transform your perspective on suffering through three actions: 1) Identify one area of current or past suffering. Write down three ways God has or might use it for good—character development, ministry preparation, or increased dependence on Him. 2) Reach out to someone currently suffering. Share your own story of God's faithfulness in trials and offer practical help or companionship. 3) Memorize one promise about God's presence in suffering (like Isaiah 43:2 or 2 Corinthians 12:9) to anchor your soul during difficult times. Remember, your suffering has meaning in God's hands.
