Why Suffering? Reasons for Pain and Suffering

Suffering is a Proof That We Are Real

Have you ever felt like life is just too perfect? Like everything is going smoothly, and you begin to wonder when the other shoe will drop? Or have you ever asked yourself, "Why do I have to go through so much pain and suffering?"

Suffering is an inevitable part of life, and it comes in different forms: physical, emotional, and even spiritual. It is a universal experience that everyone goes through, and it is not limited to a specific age, gender, or race. However, as Christians, we have a unique perspective on suffering. We know that God can use it for our good and His glory.

In Romans 5:3-4, the Apostle Paul writes, "Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope." In this passage, Paul shows us that suffering is not something to be avoided, but something to rejoice in because it produces growth in us.

Suffering Reveals Our True Identity

Suffering is a revealing experience. It exposes what is truly inside of us. When everything is going well, it's easy to be kind, patient, and loving. But when we are faced with suffering, our true nature is exposed. We see things about ourselves that we didn't know were there. We may discover that we are more resilient than we thought or that we are more dependent on God than we realized.

In Matthew 5:10-12, Jesus says, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Here, Jesus is telling us that suffering is a sign that we are living for Him. It is proof that we are His children and that we are following in the footsteps of the prophets who came before us.

Suffering Produces Endurance

Endurance is the ability to persevere through difficult circumstances. It is a quality that is developed over time through the experience of suffering. When we go through trials, we are forced to rely on God's strength rather than our own. We learn that we can't do it on our own and that we need His help.

James 1:2-4 says, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." Here, James is telling us that trials produce steadfastness, which is another word for endurance. When we endure through suffering, we become more mature in our faith, and we become more like Christ.

Suffering Produces Character

Character is the sum of our qualities and traits. It is who we are when no one is looking. Character is developed over time through the experience of suffering. When we suffer, we are forced to confront our weaknesses and flaws. We are given the opportunity to grow and become better versions of ourselves.

In 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, Paul writes, "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." Here, Paul is telling us that our suffering is preparing us for eternal glory. The difficulties we face now are nothing compared to the glory that awaits us in heaven.

Suffering Produces Hope

Hope is the confident expectation of good things to come. It is the result of enduring through suffering and developing character. When we suffer, we learn to trust God more deeply. We learn that He is faithful and that He will never leave us or forsake us.

Romans 8:18 says, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." Here, Paul is telling us that the suffering we experience now is nothing compared to the glory that awaits us in heaven. Our hope is in Christ, and no amount of suffering can take that away from us.

Conclusion

Suffering is a difficult and painful experience, but it is not without purpose. As Christians, we can have hope in the midst of our suffering because we know that God can use it for our good and His glory. Suffering reveals our true identity, produces endurance, character, and hope. It is proof that we are real and that we belong to Christ.

So the next time you find yourself in the midst of suffering, remember that God is with you. He sees your pain, and He is working all things together for your good. Hold on to the hope that you have in Christ and trust that He will bring you through to the other side.