Biblical Suffering

Fred Rogers once said, “There is no normal life that is free of pain.  It’s the very wrestling with our problems that can be the impetus for our growth.”  We all experience suffering in our own lives and observe it in the lives of others.  Suffering allows us the opportunity to develop certain areas of our life and furthermore provide us with experience to empathize and minister to those in need; it also requires of us to confide in God for assistance.

Suffering is attributed by many to the iniquity of man, and in many cases this holds true.  C. S. Lewis (1940) states in The Problem of Pain, “It is men, not God, who have produced racks, whips, prisons, slavery, guns, bayonets, and bombs; it is by human avarice or stupidity, not by the churlishness of nature, that we have poverty and overwork” (p. 86).  Furthermore, if God is omnipotent and by nature loving, why does he not intervene and prevent such sufferings?

 Commonly we view suffering as the experience of pain or discomfort, loss, punishment, or disease.  In our context however, it appears that suffering is the loss of the gifts we have been given by God.  Psalms 16:2 says, “I said to the LORD, ‘You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing’” (NIV).  My conclusion is that suffering is a lack of God in our life.  If good only comes from God, then without God’s gifts we are left with nothing good and therefore perceive suffering.  Health is a gift from God.  I have survived leukemia twice as well as bone marrow transplant and God has been graciousness enough to return to me the gift of health.  Without God, I believe that I would not be alive, there were too many times when I was only a hairs width away from death.

Suffering exists because we are separated from God due to the fall of man in the Garden of Eden and “…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23, NIV).  This disconnectedness from God is the root of our suffering.  When I experience suffering in my own life, I should turn to God and ask for assistance and guidance.  Unfortunately, this is not always the case.  Too many times when I have suffered, I neglected God.  This was of course when I needed most to draw close to God because he alone could heal me.  Providentially, God is gracious and forgiving and provided for me despite my negligence.  James 4:2 says, “You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God” (NIV).  When I ask God for something that I need or want, I have discovered that my prayers really are answered.  The one condition I am usually required to uphold is patience.  God is on his own schedule and I have found all my major prayers fulfilled in due time.  Life is a continual learning process as is our relationship with God, and it has taken me many years to come to a narrow understanding of his reasoning and ways.  With patience I am sure God will provide for me in all the sufferings I will endure for the duration of my life on Earth.

In sympathizing and responding to the suffering of others, we must remember to pray for intervention from God for healing and condolence.  God has also blessed us with experiences of our own suffering which we can provide in the form of sympathy and support.  Our prior suffering can be a beacon to others that there is hope and suffering with God is not eternal.  Often, people dwell on the bad in their life and forget the blessings that still exist.  Reminding people of what they still have that is good is uplifting to many.  In Job 8, Bilad gave support to Job and told him to trust in God as he will provide for Job.  Nothing is more important than guiding people to God in their times of despair.

In conclusion, we all experience suffering at some point in our lives.  Maintaining our focus on God throughout our suffering and reminding others of God’s grace is an essential part of the healing process during and after such sufferings.  God provides us with the hope and strength to conquer any challenge in our lives.  Because God is gracious and provides all things good, we must not disregard him in the valleys of our lives.  In these times we must draw toward God for this is when we need him most.

References

Lewis, C. S. (1940). The problem of pain. New York: HarperCollins Publishers

Holy Bible.  (1984).  New International Version.  Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Arnold, B. T., & Beyer, B. E. (1999). Encountering the old testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books

Clowney, E. P. (1988). The unfolding mystery: Discovering Christ in the Old Testament. Phillipsberg, NJ: P&R.