Why Am I Suffering?
All God’s Children
Today’s Verse and Thought
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”(1 Corinthians 10:13)
Becoming You
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)
I had a conversation with my son one day about the difficulties of parenting these days. There are so many dangers and temptations that previous generations didn’t have to consider.
And the things that corrupt a child’s innocence today are not only in places that we used to think were “safe” - like schools and churches - they also are instantaneously available with the push of a button - even from the safety of our own homes.
I asked him, “how do you protect your kids from all of this?”
He answered, “I don’t try to protect them from every temptation; what I try to do is give them the tools they will need to fight or resist it - no matter what the circumstance.” His lessons will carry through all the days of their lives and will help them avoid a lot of pain and suffering… if they remember to engage them.
God does the same with us.
Becoming a child of God is both an instantaneous life birthed at Salvation, and also a lifelong process of change. It’s very much like a butterfly. I know this example is cliche, but it’s a simple picture of the struggles we will go through to become what we will be.
When a butterfly is trying to emerge from its cocoon, it needs to struggle in order to allow the chemicals to activate and harden his fragile wings so that he can eventually fly. If someone were to try and “help’ the butterfly to get out faster, at the worst, it wouldn’t survive, or at the least, it wouldn’t become all it could have been. It would be too weak to face life.
Why We Suffer
“The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”(Ecclesiastes 12:13)
This week we’ve been looking at the foundation, the promises, and the works that make up our Salvation “contract” with God. We accept that Salvation is an unearned gift of Grace, and that Kingdom rewards are the heavenly treasures awarded for Godly living.
It’s wonderful to think about all of God’s promises and rewards. But there’s another aspect to our walk with God that often confounds us. We don’t really like to talk about it. The reality is, this life is full of pain and suffering.
But, we have all of these promises of God’s provisions and promises. Why do we have to struggle so much?
The world is a troublesome place. The question of why God allows suffering is a profound and difficult question. How many times have we heard (or even said) that we don’t understand why God allows so many “bad” things to happen. How can a loving God be OK with our pain?
If we don’t belong to God, we are outside His protection. Many bad things happen to people because they choose to do this life on their own. But for us, His children, that isn’t the case.
Much like my son with his children, God gives us what we will need to face every temptation and situation that comes our way. And along with it, He offers a way to go through it or escape it.
That’s why we study God’s Word so that we can gain the insight on how to avoid as much suffering as possible. These are the tools that keep us on the narrow road. The world became a corrupt place for God’s children to navigate and He knows we need to harden our wings in order to fly.
Regeneration is a Lifelong Process
In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden led to sin entering the world, and with it, suffering, pain, and death. Suffering was born because of the temptation of the demonic world which resulted in human sin.
There wasn’t any suffering in the Garden prior to this.
“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.” (Romans 5:12)
But suffering is sometimes used as a test of our loyalty - like with Job. Or a means to strengthen our character like the Israelites’ wilderness testing. Just as the struggle for the butterfly is vital to prepare its wings to fly, we too need to be “hardened” to the temptations that we face in a sinful world.
“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.”(James 1:2-4)
We Aren’t Alone
God understands and shares in our human suffering. Jesus' life and death show God’s deep compassion for our pain. Jesus experienced more suffering, betrayal, and death, than we will ever know. God isn’t distant from our suffering; He is present with us in it and through it.
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”(Hebrews 4:15)
Suffering, though difficult, is part of God’s larger, redemptive plan. Suffering in this life is temporary, but it can lead to eternal rewards when we endure what we are going through (and don’t sin in the process).
Suffering brings God glory when people continue to trust in him, even despite the hardships. It’s easy to trust God when things are going well. But when difficulties come, that is when our faith is really put to the test. It’s also when God’s answers give Him the most glory.
I remember saying that when 2020 came about, that this was when our faith gets “real.” When we face hard things and God brings us through them, those times will always become a future reference point of confidence and trust.”If we got through that, we can get through this too.”
When We Cause Suffering
“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”(Hebrews 12:6)
Sometimes suffering is our own doing. In fact, I would say that most often it is a byproduct of sin in us. The entire Old testament tells the story of the Hebrew people - the Apple of God’s eye - constantly sinning and dishonoring God and turning to idols.
The passage in Hebrews 12:5-11 teaches that suffering can be a way for God to correct and train us, much like a parent disciplines a child. This kind of suffering is meant to bring about righteousness and peace.
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” ( Romans 8:18)
When We Don’t Understand
Not all suffering can be explained or understood with our human understanding. Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
There is a divine purpose behind suffering that may be beyond our comprehension. In all things we turn to God and trust Him. He knows why, and He knows the outcome.
Just because we can’t understand something, doesn’t mean that things are out of God’s control. All of life happens with God’s full knowledge and His permissive will. All of life is orchestrated to the outcomes of God’s purposes.
Because we know that God loves us and promises good things for us, we have to trust Him in all life’s circumstances. When we are in pain, it’s hard to feel that God cares. Especially when we are wallowing in the mud from our own sins. But God is waiting for us to turn to Him and trust that He will get us back on course. When we completely release our will to Him, He will rescue us.
The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”(2 Timothy 4:18)
We have a great and amazing future where suffering will be no more. In Revelation 21:4, it says: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”This passage points to our ultimate hope, that one day God will restore the world. A day will come when all suffering will be eliminated.
We will come full circle once again just as we did when we lived in the Garden walking with God naked and unashamed.
To be continued….
Today’s Question
