You Asked For It | Suffering
understanding God’s role in human suffering: a biblical perspective
Having questions about faith, especially regarding suffering, doesn't indicate a broken faith. In fact, wrestling with these deep questions often leads to spiritual breakthrough and deeper understanding of God's nature.
where does suffering come from?
The biblical view of suffering begins with God's gift of free will to humanity. Love demands free will - forced love isn't real love. When humans choose to go against God's will, those choices carry consequences. All suffering is rooted in humanity's sin - our personal choices, others' choices, or the original sin of Adam and Eve.
why Does God allow suffering to Continue?
To eliminate suffering, God would need to either:
Remove free will (making us unable to truly love)
Eliminate all causes of evil (including us, since we all cause harm)
Or both
God allows suffering to continue because He loves us too much to remove our capacity for love and choice.
how does god respond to human suffering?
Through Jesus, God responds to suffering in three ways:
Tells the truth about sin and suffering
Enters into our suffering personally
Redeems our suffering for good
how can we Suffer well?
Three key approaches to suffering well:
Lean into God instead of pulling away
Practice biblical lament - express raw emotions to God
Hold onto hope while acknowledging pain
Life Application:
This week, consider:
Are you trying to avoid suffering or learn to suffer well?
When facing difficulties, do you pull away from God or lean in?
Have you given yourself permission to lament?
Questions to reflect on:
What suffering are you currently experiencing?
How have you been responding to it?
What would it look like to "suffer well" in your situation?
How might God be working to redeem your current struggles?
Challenge:
Next time you face suffering, practice these three steps:
Consciously choose to lean into God
Express your raw emotions to Him in prayer
End your prayer by stating one reason for hope
