Why is there suffering?

Tawa Anderson, Rev

Why do bad things happen to "good" people? Why do we suffer trials and grief and pain? This question has bothered Christians throughout the ages - how do we respond to it? The basic cause of our suffering is the reality that we are sinful people living in a fallen world. Specifically, there are four sources of our suffering.

• First, our own sin or bad decisions. If you pick a fight with a guy twice your size, God will generally allow you to suffer the consequences.
• Second, other people’s sin or bad decisions. Todd Bertuzzi’s bad decision cost Steve Moore a broken neck.
• Third, the general fallenness of our world. Phil Kessel battled testicular cancer, not because of his sin, but because we live in a fallen world marred by sickness and disease (Jn. 9:3).
• Fourth, God testing or refining us (see Job 1-2; 1 Pet. 1:6-7).

Bad things will happen to the righteous and unrighteous. God grieves for our pain too (Jn. 11:35); but His primary concern is how we deal with trials. In the midst of suffering, how should we respond?

• First, continue to glorify God (Job 1:20-22). Praise God for the life and salvation He grants; be thankful that even amidst suffering, God is sovereign.
• Second, search your heart, and confess any hidden sin (Ps. 139).
• Third, examine and imitate Christ’s example. Jesus walked the road of suffering before us (Mt. 26:31-46; 27:11-56), and warned that his followers would also face trials (Mt. 5:10-12).
• Fourth, meditate on the eternal promises of God. Fix your eyes on the eternal life that God promises through faith in Jesus (2 Cor. 4:16-18).
• Fifth, remember that God walks through suffering with you; you are not alone when you hurt (Heb. 13:5; Ps. 23:4).
• Finally, cherish God’s assurance that one day, all will be set right. When God recreates the heavens and the earth (Rev. 21:1-5, 22:1-5), the sickness, pain and death that mar our fallen world will be forever removed. Then bad things will no longer happen to God’s people.

For further reading:
C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain
Philip Yancey, Where is God When it Hurts?