Why Do We Experience Suffering?

Written By: Darius

The Nature of Suffering

First, let's talk about why suffering exists in the first place.

1. The existence of suffering in a world broken by sin

When God first created the world, all was perfect, and there was no evil on Earth. This changed when Adam and Eve committed the first sin. Ever since that moment when the first sin was committed, our world has been broken. Sin introduced evil, pain, suffering, and death into the world. Because of the now inherently sinful ways of the world, all this evil and suffering has become part of life. Suffering is the consequence of sin separating God and humanity. 

2. Free will

Because God loves us, he gives us free will. We are free to make whatever decisions we want, no matter what we want to do. This is why sin was entered into the world in the first place. Adam and Eve used their free will to make the decision to betray God, introducing sin into the world. The reason evil still exists today, and God doesn't just get rid of it, is because without evil, we don't have any choice besides following God. God doesn't want us to be forced to follow Him, so he allows evil and suffering to exist in the world.

Forms of Suffering

To best understand suffering we need to look at the types of Suffering we face. To best do this we should read some of the book of Job. Job is the story of a man named Job, who had everything taken away from Him. He likely faced more suffering than we ever will in our lives. Even though he faced immense suffering, he stayed faithful to God. If you're looking to learn more about suffering, and persisting through it, I would highly recommend you read Job! I'll be using excerpts here mostly from the first few chapters of Job. 

We face three main types of suffering in our lives. Job's story provides an example of each kind.

1. Physical Suffering

Physical suffering is the pain, exhaustion, sickness, injuries, or any physical struggles we experience. Some of the more severe examples of this could be having a disease, disability, or cancer.

"So Satan left the Lord ’s presence and infected Job with terrible boils from the soles of his feet to the top of his head." (Job 2:7)

Here we see Job facing immense physical suffering when his entire body is covered in painful boils.

2. Emotional Suffering

Emotional suffering is any of the mental challenges we face. These can be things like grief, loss, depression, anxiety, stress, sadness, etc. This can be some of the hardest suffering to go through because other forms of suffering will often result in emotional suffering as well. 

'After this, Job began to speak and cursed the day he was born. He said: May the day I was born perish, and the night that said, “A boy is conceived.” If only that day had turned to darkness! May God above not care about it, or light shine on it. May darkness and gloom reclaim it, and a cloud settle over it. May what darkens the day terrify it. If only darkness had taken that night away! May it not appear among the days of the year or be listed in the calendar. ' (Job 3:1-6)

In this excerpt, and for the rest of the third chapter of Job, we see him in turmoil. He's regretting the very day he was born, wishing to have never been born in the first place. 

3. Spiritual Suffering

Spiritual suffering is the challenge we face in our journey with God. These can show up as doubt, lack of faith, feeling distant from God, temptation, addictions, and just sin in general.

"Will you ever look away from me, or leave me alone long enough to swallow? If I have sinned, what have I done to you, Watcher of humanity? Why have you made me your target, so that I have become a burden to you? Why not forgive my sin and pardon my iniquity? For soon I will lie down in the grave. You will eagerly seek me, but I will be gone." (Job 7:19-21)

Here we see Job feeling abandoned and condemned by God. He's questioning why God is letting him go through this suffering.

God's Purpose In Our Suffering

Suffering is something we will all go through in our lives, but it doesn't always have to be bad. God often uses suffering for good, and to complete his purposes. 

Testing and strengthening faith

Often times our periods of struggle are to test us. God can use these periods of suffering to test and challenge our faith to prove its sincerity, endurance, and depth. 

"You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials so that the proven character of your faith — more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire — may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:6-7)

As this verse says, our suffering and grief can prove our faith is true. Our faith is refined in fire, like gold, to remove its impurities. These periods of suffering can help us grow, and forge your faith. God tests our faith to expose impurities and weak areas, and to test whether our faith is built on genuine trust in God.

Drawing us closer to God

Suffering can draw us closer to God because it makes us realize how desperately we need God. When life is comfortable and easy, it's easy to feel self-sufficient and independent. It can make us feel as if we don't need God. Suffering can remind us that we are not in control, and that we need God's strength, direction, and comfort in our lives.

"We don’t want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, of our affliction that took place in Asia. We were completely overwhelmed — beyond our strength — so that we even despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death, so that we would not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead." (2 Corinthians 1:8-9)

In this passage Paul describes how this period of suffering and despair he went through made him not trust in himself, but in God. 

Developing character

Suffering can help us grow in character and develop new strengths, spiritual fruit, and resilience. It teaches us humility and reminds us of our need to depend on God. Trials have a way of stripping away pride and self-reliance, drawing us closer to Him.

Hardships also grow compassion and empathy in us. When we experience pain ourselves, we gain a deeper understanding of what others might be going through, and we can be better equipped to support them in their struggles.

Finally, suffering produces patience. In seasons of struggle, we often want quick relief, but enduring trials teaches us to wait on God’s timing, growing our trust in His plan.

How to persevere and respond to pain and suffering

Trust in God's all-knowing knowledge, and love for you

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

During periods of struggle, it's important to remember that God has a perspective on our lives that we can't even comprehend. We can't rely on our own understanding or perspective, instead, we need to do our best to put our lives in God's hands and trust that he has a plan for us.

Seek comfort in prayer and scripture

"Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)

Praying, reading the bible, and doing devotions are all great ways to stay connected to God. Through prayer and spending time with Jesus, he can give us a sense of peace and comfort during hard times. 

Rely on God-centered community and fellowship

"Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2)

Relying on fellowship, and bearing each other's burdens can be very helpful in persevering through periods of suffering. Having someone who can give you advice, wisdom, and truth, can help you see the bigger picture, and help you find comfort in Jesus. 

Trust the Story God Is Writing

Suffering is never easy. It's something we all go through in this broken and evil world. We often won't understand it in the moment, but when we're faced with trials, we need to remember that God has an infinite perspective, and he has a great plan for us. Even our deepest pain and struggles can result in great things. When faced with trials, remember that your suffering is part of a much bigger story, and God will use your current suffering, to accomplish greater things.