How Should Christians Respond to Suffering?

We are getting acquainted with live news on deaths, loss of jobs, erosion of savings, loss of dignity, restrictions on movement, security threats or rumors of wars, mistrust on people, fear of the unknown, etc. These are some of the felt dimensions of a ‘new normal’ of a suffering humanity, during this global Pandemic. Otherwise, the old normal continues: human rights violations, food insecurity, street crimes, celebration of obscenity, loss of value for human life, public shaming or trolling, and disappointing governance and legal systems.

The overarching consternation is that there has been too much freedom with too little responsibility; too much wealth with a few, with too little left for the rest of the world; too much power with a few over the vulnerable millions, with too little accountability; too many inventions with too little ethics and too many voices with too little truth!

When we look at the Church, there is an apparent recklessness in teaching, with little or no focus on godliness and accountability. We wonder what is causing an erosion of trust and deterioration of peaceful co-existence. Furthermore, the frustrated millions ask: Why does God allow suffering? Can a loving and wise God permit even His children to suffer?

Purposes of Suffering

The Bible has historical records of the sufferings of the righteous: young Joseph was loathed by his brothers, sold into slavery, sorely tempted, falsely accused and imprisoned.

Righteous Job’s oxen and donkeys were stolen, his farmhands killed, his sheep and herdsmen were burned by a mysterious fire, his camels were stolen and his servants killed; his sons and daughters died in a windstorm and Job himself was inflicted with boils.

Prophet Jeremiah was persecuted by his own family, plotted against by his own town folks, rejected and ridiculed by his religious contemporaries, imprisoned, beaten and accused of treason.

Apostle Paul was plotted against, stoned, left for dead, subjected to satanic buffeting, beaten and jailed at Philippi, ridiculed, and falsely accused. He endured violent storms at sea, was bitten by a venomous snake, and forsaken by all in front of a hostile crowd.

The problem of suffering is a painful question for both a believer and an unbeliever.

Whether one suffers rightly or wrongly, the principle of sowing and reaping can always be applied. However, the Bible shines the light on the subject of suffering with such clarity that it hardly needs profound interpretations.

1. To Produce Fruit

Apostle Peter exhorted, “Suffering produces patience, joy, knowledge and maturity” (1 Peter 5:10a). James counsels, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, and whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance” (James 1:2-3).

2. To Silence the Devil

Every true believer will face frequent attacks from the Devil. It may come, with God’s permission or through blood-thirsty people who hate whatever is good and noble. Invariably, God’s intention is to silence the Devil. The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he (Job) has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger” (Job 1:12). Satan accused Job of serving God merely for material blessings. God permitted the devil to torment Job to demonstrate that His servant loved God because of who He was, and not for what Job could receive as blessings from Him.

3. To Glorify God

Jesus answered the question of human suffering thus: “Neither this (blind) man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him” (John 9:3). Suffering can bring glory to God when a better outcome follows it. “Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5a).

4. To Make Us Like Jesus

Paul suffered persecution for preaching Christ, yet, he makes it clear that his goal was: “to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:10-11). Peter professes that the process of becoming Christ-like in character is through suffering, saying, “For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps” (1 Peter 2:21).

5. To Teach Us Dependence

Man, left to his own devices, would only rattle down a decadent path of self-destruction, as he will ultimately face not only the problem of pain but also the problem of pleasure and plenty. The world that was in an insane rush to save time and money, in order to redeploy it on pleasure and luxury, is now on a standstill, with irredeemable loss of time and money. Therefore, Jesus taught us to depend on His enabling grace, and guidance, saying, “apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5c).

6. To Redefine Our Lives

King David, who even ran for his life from his pursuers, could comment on suffering with optimism thus: “For You, God, tested us; You refined us like silver. You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. You let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but You brought us to a place of abundance” (Psalm 66:10-12).

7. To Rebuke Our Sin

God is holy and His words are pure. Therefore, He disciplines an unruly and disobedient child of His. The Bible instructs, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastens everyone He accepts as His son” (Hebrews 12: 5-6).

8. To Enlarge Our Ministry Toward Others

Saint Paul explained suffering to the Corinthian church thus: “God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3).

Responses to Suffering

Many tend to view the Bible as a mysterious jigsaw puzzle and dig out a truth here or interpret a prophecy there, just to suit their pre-existing convictions, gut feeling or temperaments. In these days, a babel of proverbial voices with Biblical overtones can be heard trying to make sense of any human suffering and its ravaging consequences.

Let us suppose various takes of the verses, in the current context of global pandemic:

The pious may note, “In that day,’ declares the Sovereign Lord, “‘I will turn your religious festivals into mourning and all your singing into weeping”‘ (Amos 8:10).

Those with apocalyptic anticipations may caution,

“for, in just a little while, He (Christ) who is coming will come and will not delay” (Hebrews 10:37).

Those relying on predestination may tend to calmly quote unmoved, “Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do” (Ecclesiastes 9:7).

Those who stress on choice and free will may attempt to, “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2).

Pessimists may rue, “I never sat in the company of revelers, never made merry with them; I sat alone because Your hand was on me and You had filled me with indignation” (Jeremiah 15:17).

The cautious lot may stay safe, as per,

“Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut the doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until His wrath has passed by” (Isaiah 26:20).

Opportunists may swiftly cite: “When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other” (Ecclesiastes 7:14).

The strong-willed may wax rhetoric saying, “Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” (Job 2:10).

The judgmental may point out, “the eyes of the arrogant will be humbled and human pride brought low” (Isaiah 2:11).

The rich may keep partying with grace, celebrating amazing grace, with confidence on: “Then you … shall rejoice in all the good things the Lord your God has given to you and your household” (Deuteronomy 26:11).

Those who are philosophical may summarize,

“Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment” (Ecclesiastes 11:9).

Such divergent voices expose the unpreparedness of God’s people to face uncertainties ahead. For instance, let us consider some probable causes for collective suffering: social injustice, unreasonable restrictions on freedom of religion, systemic oppression, economic inequity, crimes, and callous disregard for sanctity of life. What can the children of God do to alleviate untold sufferings caused by such detrimental factors?

1. Speak Up For Social Justice

As deep-rooted evil clutches the world, social order turns so demonic and self-destructive that we even fear the ultimate extinction of the human race. Followers of Christ should strive to “Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute” (Psalm 82:3). Solomon admonishes, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute” (Proverbs 31:8).

Denial of justice or delayed justice has inflicted untold sufferings on innocent lives. Their angst is unheeded and cries are unheard. God offers a plan of relief, saying: “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

2. Pray For Freedom of Religious Expression

Nehemiah stood before King Artaxerxes and pleaded for a leave to rebuild the ruined walls of Jerusalem. The clarion call of Nehemiah was, “Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace” (Nehemiah 2:17). Under the leadership of Priest Ezra, “the people … celebrated the dedication of the house of God with joy” (Ezra 6:16).

As God’s people, we are called to rebuild the walls of faith and morality, and set our own house in order and renew apostolic love and care for one another. Paul describes his suffering for the sake of the gospel, saying, “I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained” (2 Timothy 2:9). To this effect, Paul always sought the prayers of his associates and congregations.

3. Strengthen Equity in Trade

When the world is driven by greed, black money, currency manipulation, biased trade policies, and digital fraud, we should understand, that “The Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him” (Proverbs 11:1).

A 2018 article by Stephen Johnson on the World Economic Forum’s website, cites the United Nations Secretary-General:

The annual costs of international corruption amount to a staggering $3.6 trillion in the form of bribes and stolen money.

António Guterres

Christian advocacy includes sensitizing rulers and policymakers on the merits of economic justice.

4. Support Measures for Crime Control

King Solomon observed that even “the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel” (Proverbs 12:10b). God alerted the Israelites saying, “The land you are entering to possess is a land polluted by the corruption of its peoples. By their detestable practices, they have filled it with their impurity from one end to the other” (Ezra 9:11). We need Ezras today to rekindle the moral senses of society. Christ called us to be the salt and light of the world.

5. Focus On Godly Virtues

Solomon challenges, “For who can bring them to see what will happen after them?” (Ecclesiastes 3:22). This brevity of life reminds us to be humble about our backgrounds, talents, possessions, beliefs, work, and our future. The transient nature of events – good or bad, should only refine our attitude to focus on godly virtues of faith, hope, and love. With spiritual maturity, God’s people should be able to rhyme with Paul saying, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20).

6. Minister to the Sick and Dying

Every country offers ample space for health care delivery, where Christian institutions and professionals can collaborate with their time, expertise, facilities, and resources. Peter advises, “Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh” (1 Peter 2:18).

Conclusion

The coin of suffering has two noteworthy sides. Suffering may be viewed as coming from God to bring out the best in us, for God’s glory. On the flip side, Satan may attempt to use the same temptation and suffering to bring out the worst in us, if we do not heed to respond according to Scripture. A person of faith may suffer because of his position or his disposition. People may unwisely despise suffering and treat it too lightly and continue living with an incorrigible attitude. Or a person may get depressed by treating suffering too seriously and fall away from the faith.

A believer fully surrendered to God’s ways in his life, will stand to gain from suffering, as pure gold from the furnace of affliction.

Paul observes, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:17) and further comforts us, saying, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

As God’s people, let us keep learning on towards spiritual maturity, knowing that the battles in life are not of flesh and blood, but of the spirit. The Bible declares, “The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord” (Proverbs 21:31). Assurance of that victory will render peace that passes understanding. For those who persevere in faith and prayer, the good news is, suffering is just for a season, as per St. Peter’s benediction: “God … after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast” (1 Peter 5:10).

Oh God, our help in ages past Our hope for years to come Be Thou our Guide while troubles last And our eternal home.

Isaac Watts (1674-1748)

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Author: A N A N D D A V I D

A N A N D  D A V I D is working in the social and economic development sector, in New Delhi, India.  He was born in Dec 1969, in Chennai, India. When he was 11, he attended an evangelistic meeting and prayed for the forgiving grace of God and received the gift of Salvation by faith in Jesus, as his Lord and Savior.  At 17, he started a small group for weekly Bible study in his school, which continued as conversations of faith, in college.  Since then, for over 25 years, he has been preaching, teaching, writing, counseling, and praying for people, as a volunteer in churches and ministries.  His ministry involvements have taken him to several cities of India and abroad, to the USA, UK (on transit), South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, China, Nepal, and Bhutan.  His wife Sharmilee is a homemaker who prays along with him and assists him gladly, in his ministry engagements. He can be reached at [email protected]