Today’s devotional: why does God allow his children to suffer?
The tension between hope and suffering is one of the most challenging themes of the Bible. Christ holds out the promise of an eventual end to suffering, but the Bible makes it clear that we can expect to undergo trials until that promise is fully realized. And the Bible in places suggests that God allows struggle into our lives as part of his divine plan.
If you’ve been a Christian for any length of time, you’re familiar with this line of reasoning. But even accepting that there is a purpose behind our suffering, it’s still hard not to cry out “Why?” when bad things happen to us.
It’s hard to find a more encouraging engagement of this matter than in today’s Morning and Evening devotional by the eloquent Spurgeon. Here’s how he responds to the question “Why does God allow his children to suffer?”
It is a poor faith which can only trust God when friends are true, the body full of health, and the business profitable; but that is true faith which holds by the Lords faithfulness when friends are gone, when the body is sick, when spirits are depressed, and the light of our Fathers countenance is hidden. A faith which can say, in the direst trouble, Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him, is heaven-born faith. The Lord afflicts his servants to glorify himself, for he is greatly glorified in the graces of his people, which are his own handiwork. When tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope, the Lord is honoured by these growing virtues. We should never know the music of the harp if the strings were left untouched; nor enjoy the juice of the grape if it were not trodden in the winepress; nor discover the sweet perfume of cinnamon if it were not pressed and beaten; nor feel the warmth of fire if the coals were not utterly consumed. The wisdom and power of the great Workman are discovered by the trials through which his vessels of mercy are permitted to pass. Present afflictions tend also to heighten future joy. There must be shades in the picture to bring out the beauty of the lights. Could we be so supremely blessed in heaven, if we had not known the curse of sin and the sorrow of earth? Will not peace be sweeter after conflict, and rest more welcome after toil? Will not the recollection of past sufferings enhance the bliss of the glorified?
Believing this doesn’t magically take away the pain of life’s trials. But take comfort in the fact that there is light at the end of the tunnel—and that your trials can shape in you an even stronger and purer faith if you trust in God’s promises.
If everyone that became a Christian and immediately stop suffering who wouldn’t jump in for the wrong reason?
As part of my call to ministry, I’m meeting weekly with a woman who is suffering in body, mind, and spirit. Her faith is being tested because of this. In various ways, she often asks the age-old question, “Why does God allow me to suffer?” Her faith is being tested because of this. I want very much to help her cope with the connection between suffering and faith, but I don’t know the answer myself. Can anyone help me with this situation? I would be most grateful!
This woman is stronger than she knows. God will not allow us to tempted above that which we can endure. The key is not to glorify the problems but glorify him to be greater than the problem. As a matter of fact she should even thank him for the problems because he will show himself greater than the problems are because he IS the GOD that WILL HEAL her. By his strips she’s already heal and together we thank him for the manifestation.
I am relieved! What a comforting message…
To Lauren,
Why does God allow us to suffer?
Its not that God is testing us.Because of this,we can grow more in spiritual life by spending time with God.If we are happy with everything,I’m pretty much sure that we wont seek God at all times.but if we are into trouble,then we will seek God.Moreover we will come to know about our God’s infinite love on us and we can grow in faith on God.
Thanks!!
Lauren,
As Christians we will all go through some testing. The Lord never promised that things would be easy, but he will make a way. Read Hebrews 11 with her regarding faith. One thing I like about Paul the Apostle, is that when he was going through his problems, he always had a praise. While God may test us to build us up spiritually, the enemy will try to destroy us. His mission is to steal, kill and destroy. God requires us to have faith. But the enemy places doubt in our minds, which is the oppposite of faith. Another passage of scripture is James 1:2-4. Instead of magnifying the problems, magnigy the Lord. My prayers are with you.
The message is very comforting. But right now I am going through a lot of problems in my life presently and it is affecting all aspects of my life. I understand that there would be trials and tribulations for each one of us. But why. If Christ endured suffering for us, then where is the need for any individual to suffer. By the Grace of God, I have successfully come out of many problems earlier but I find that problems are recurring. I also have realized that it is I who has made my problems big and bigger. I find myself physically drained out, mentally dull and spiritually dry. I want to come out of it. I make only one prayer that I should remain firm in my faith which is really very difficult and that the next time my sufferings should itself be my testimony.
Good can come from these “test”/trials…As we renew our minds and keep our eyes on Jesus; the storm will pass and we’ll stay above water. God is the same yesterday,today and forever. His Word is His Promise and His Promise is His Word.
God gave us “freedom” to choose…Choose “right or wrong” / obiedence or not. In this gift of “free-will” is the error of MAN…thereby learning consequences of life – good or bad / blessed or not. In this “gift” is the only glimps my mind can understand the “God allowing His children to suffer.” My reality tells me that if I suffer, it is by my choice – freewill…God’s Word is our Life Instructional Manual however, it is our choice to follow or not. As we follow, because we are just human after all; We will make mistakes and fall down, get hurt – suffer along the way. God Loves us. He wants ONLY good for His children just as we want ONLY good for our children. Unfortunatly or fortunatly falling down seems to be part of the growing process. So…”Why does God allow His Cildren to suffer?” Could the answer be wrapped up in our “freedom to choose” – right, wrong or indifferent thereby lessons learned. Serving God, living and loving as He did and still does is a continious way of life – not and probably mostly not easy. Thank God for His grace and Mercy.
I have been going thruw a lot of trials and I found this website trying to have the Lord talk to me by reading a bible verse at random. My spirit gets low at times but I know that God is always with me and my family. At times when I feel overloaded with problems I ask the Lord to speak to me and I sometimes have my t.v. on the Angel channel and a speaker might speaking on the subject that relates to the problems that are happening in my life and that fact brings me comfort, because I know the Lord guided me to that channel at that hour so I can get the answer that I have been looking for. God is merciful and he loves us, we just have to trust him. we have his promise that he will never forsake us. Amen
I have been praying for God to give me the strangth and obedience to say no to “friends” of mine when they ask me to go out at night. Unfortunately I always end up getting too carried away and not acting like the Christian women I want to be. The guilt of my behavior and waste of energy on a night far from God only hurts my relationship with him….. Tonight I found out that my husband and I were not invited to a party and even after my week of prayer for the strength to say “no” I find myself bitter and hurt that I was not invited. So after sulking and frankly being angry at the “friends” I decided to go to “Biblegateway.com” and randomly pulled up this devotional which opens up with a portion about friends not being true. Sometimes if we change our perspective of a situation it is not suffering but a pleasant and desired event. For whatever reason I did not receive an invite but I have to believe that I am right where the Lord wants me and that he has answered my prayers rather directly and promptly!