SUFFERING

Commentary

Scripture References


Suffering is an unfortunate reality for believers and unbelievers alike. No one is immune to it, nor can anyone avoid it by “having enough faith.” Instead, suffering results from living in a sinful, fallen world.

Suffering is never easy to endure and can be excruciatingly painful. People often struggle to understand why God allows it, and they almost always reject it as His will for anyone, at any time, under any circumstances.

There are two categories of suffering that everyone experiences during their lifetime: justified and unjustified. Justified suffering is God's direct and deserved discipline to teach people not to sin. When a person sins, they also choose God's accompanying chastisement, which is never aimed to punish them for punishment's sake but to teach them not to repeat it. This type of suffering is like receiving a painful burn after sticking a finger into a fire. Therefore, justified suffering is a cause-and-effect model, with sinful choices as the cause and God's loving discipline as the effect. Unjustified suffering is the undeserved pain resulting from another person’s actions or an event out of their control. This type of suffering is understandably the most challenging kind to endure. Its ultimate source can be traced back to the Garden of Eden when Adam sinned, causing sickness, disease, violence, evil, decay, bondage, corruption, natural disasters, and physical death to enter the world.

Unjustified suffering can be experienced directly or indirectly.

  • Examples of direct, unjustified suffering might be the pain and dysfunction from a hereditary disease, victimization by a violent criminal, loss of land and possessions from a raging fire or tornado, injuries from a vehicle accident, or loss of income from corporate layoffs. An example of indirect, unjustified suffering might be the emotional pain experienced when a loved one suffers.

  • Unjustified suffering is a painful and challenging experience to endure, and people rarely view or accept it as God’s will under any circumstances. Believers enduring hardships often expect God’s miraculous intervention rather than entertain the idea of Him using it sovereignly to accomplish a greater plan and purpose in their lives.

Regardless of what God permits or allows in a believer’s life, two truths about unjust suffering are irrefutable. First, Jesus is acutely aware of it and, with loving compassion, is accomplishing His ultimate purposes in each life affected by it. Second, God always does what is right in every situation, even when allowing pain for a greater purpose to be accomplished, no matter how things may appear on the outside. This truth was evidenced on the cross when He allowed His Son to take the punishment for every sin committed and die a sacrificial death so salvation would be possible for sinners.

The good news for believers is that all suffering experienced on earth will be the worst ever endured compared to the glory awaiting them in heaven. Once there, all suffering comes to an immediate and permanent end.

The bad news for unbelievers is that all suffering experienced on earth will severely pale in comparison to the torment and agony awaiting them in the Lake of Fire. That factor is one reason why the Bible says, “Now is the day of salvation” and, “Today if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion” (1 Corinthians 6:2; Hebrews 3:12-15).

(See the Scripture References link at the top of the page.)