Suffering is an inevitable part of the human experience. Yet as Christians, we can find hope and meaning even in the midst of suffering when we understand what the Bible teaches about it. God uses suffering for our good and His glory, and He promises to be with us through every trial if we turn to Him. Here’s an overview of the Bible’s perspective on suffering.
Suffering Entered the World Through Sin
According to the Bible, suffering was not part of God’s original perfect creation (Genesis 1-2). It only entered the world later through human sin. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s command, sin and death entered the human race (Genesis 3:16-19; Romans 5:12). All creation was affected by this curse of sin, and now experiences natural disasters, disease, decay, and more. So while God did not directly create suffering, He allowed it as a natural consequence of human free will and the resulting fall into sin.
Suffering Can Be Caused By Sinful Choices
Sometimes when we suffer, it is the direct result of our own sinful choices or the sins of others against us. For example, violence, abuse, broken relationships, addictions, and sexually transmitted diseases often stem from sinful human behavior. Other times, our suffering is not tied to any specific sin, but is simply part of life in a fallen world. Either way, the Bible is clear that human sinfulness ultimately causes suffering (Isaiah 59:2; James 1:14-15).
Suffering Develops Good Character
Even though God does not cause all suffering, He can use it for good purposes in our lives. The Bible says suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope (Romans 5:3-4; James 1:2-4). God uses it to mold us into the image of Christ, make us rely more on Him, develop godly virtues, and bring glory to Himself. While painful in the moment, suffering through trials teaches us important spiritual lessons for our good (Hebrews 12:7-11).
Jesus Suffered for Us
Out of love for us, Jesus willingly suffered and died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins (Romans 5:8). Though completely innocent of any wrongdoing, Jesus endured extreme suffering and a criminal’s death so that we could be forgiven (Isaiah 53:5). His sacrifice makes our redemption possible. When we suffer, we can find hope knowing Christ identifies with our pain (Hebrews 4:15).
God Comforts Us in Suffering
God does not abandon us in the midst of suffering. The Bible says He will never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:5). He comforts us in all our troubles, and promises the Holy Spirit will help us in our weakness (2 Corinthians 1:3-5; Romans 8:26). He draws near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). Even when we feel lonely in suffering, we can be assured God is right by our side.
Suffering Prepares Us for Eternity
Paul writes that “this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (2 Corinthians 4:17). Suffering refines our faith and makes us long for the perfect world to come, where there will be no more pain or tears (Revelation 21:4). It reminds us this world is not our home, and points us to our hope of eternity with Christ. Suffering prepares us for our heavenly inheritance.
Prayer for Deliverance and Healing is Encouraged
Throughout the Psalms and the rest of Scripture, we see believers crying out to God in the midst of suffering. God invites us to come to Him with our pain, and ask for deliverance and healing. While God does not always take away the suffering, He hears our prayers and can work miraculously if He chooses to. Prayers for relief in suffering are pleasing to God, even if the answer is “no” or “wait” (James 5:13-16).
Suffering Will End When Christ Returns
The Bible reminds us that suffering lasts only “for a little while.” For those who trust Christ, it is only temporary. Jesus said, “Take heart, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). When He returns, He will wipe away every tear and make all things new (Revelation 21:4-5). The coming day when suffering will cease forever gives us strength to endure it now with hope.
We Should Help Alleviate Others’ Suffering
While we may not be able to eliminate all suffering in the world, Jesus calls us to help alleviate it wherever possible. We are commanded to mourn with those who mourn and care for the weak and hurting (Romans 12:15; Isaiah 1:17). When we encounter suffering as believers, God wants to minister through us to help others in their pain (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). Practical service to alleviate suffering is one of our most important callings.
Trusting God’s Plan in Suffering
Since God is perfectly good and loving, we can trust His plan and purposes even when suffering seems senseless. The Bible says “we know that for those who love God all things work together for good” (Romans 8:28). God always has a purpose for suffering, even when we do not understand. When tragedy strikes, we can Surrender to His will, trusting He will somehow work it for good in ways we cannot yet see (Jeremiah 29:11).
Glorifying God in Suffering
As counterintuitive as it may seem, we can actually glorify God through our suffering when we respond with faith, endurance, and joy despite the pain. This testimony points people to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ (2 Corinthians 12:9-10; 1 Peter 4:12-16). Our courage, hope, and reliance on God in affliction can inspire and encourage other believers as well. Suffering strengthens our witness when we suffer well by God’s grace.
Suffering Unites Us to Christ
Paul said he rejoiced in his sufferings for the sake of other believers, and “in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions” (Colossians 1:24). Though Jesus bore our sins fully on the cross, through our suffering now for His sake, we are privileged to participate in His sufferings (Philippians 3:10). When we share in a small measure of the persecution and trials Jesus endured, it allows us to identify with Him more deeply.
Heavenly Reward for Those Who Suffer
For believers who suffer for Christ in this life, an eternal reward awaits. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10). Our present sufferings are “preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (2 Corinthians 4:17). Those who suffer with Christ will be richly rewarded and exalted with Him (Romans 8:17).
Suffering Teaches Reliance on God
The difficulties of life teach us to rely not on ourselves, but fully on God for both deliverance from suffering and strength to endure it. “We were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself…that we might not rely on ourselves but on God” (2 Corinthians 1:8-9). Through suffering, we learn to lean on God rather than our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6). He uses it to humble us and build our trust in Him.
How We Should Respond to Suffering
When we suffer, God calls us to respond in faith, prayer, perseverance, courage, hope, and continued rejoicing in Christ. We can cry out honestly to God in grief, ask others to pray for us, look to God’s promises, and seek comfort from Scripture. While God permits suffering for His purposes, He also promises to sustain us through it. As we walk through trials in dependence on Christ, we receive strength, grow spiritually, and bring glory to God.
In summary, suffering is lamentable but temporary for believers. God allows it for His sovereign purposes to refine us, build our character, enable us to comfort others, and make us long for heaven. He promises to be with us in it, deliver us out of it in His timing, and reward us eternally for it. When we understand the Bible’s teaching about suffering, we can walk through the pain with trust, hope and confidence in Christ.
