13. Understanding Suffering

📖 Bible Discovery

💡 Focus Passage

🌱 Main Teachings

1. The nature of suffering

   What does the Bible say about the nature of suffering? How should we view the sufferings we face? Understanding these truths will help us frame suffering in a way that is both constructive and meaningful to our faith.

   • Suffering is inevitable.
     • Suffering is a universal human experience (Job 5:7). It has been foretold and is an expected part of our Christian life (1 Thess 3:3-4). Just as how God’s chosen people and faithful workers of the past suffered, we should not be surprised when we also encounter sufferings (1 Pet 4:12).
     • Biblical truths about the certainty of suffering:
       • The way that leads to life is narrow and hard (Mt 7:14).
       • We are destined to suffer, especially for the sake of our faith (Mt 24:9; Phil 1:29).
       • We will have tribulations in this world (Jn 16:33).
       • If we want to live a godly life and enter the kingdom of God, we must go through tribulations and persecutions (Acts 14:22; 2 Tim 3:12).
   • Suffering is temporary.
     • Although we will face suffering, we can take heart in knowing that suffering is temporary. No matter how painful or difficult our suffering is, it will not last forever.
       • Paul describes suffering as “momentary, light affliction,” which is producing for us an eternal weight of glory (2 Cor 4:17).
       • We may be grieved by various trials for “a little while,” but God will strengthen and establish us. This process refines our faith so that it can be found to praise and glorify our Lord when He comes again (1 Pet 1:6-7; 5:10).
2. Reasons for and benefits of suffering

   Suffering is never pleasant, and our natural response is often to question it. However, when we understand why suffering may occur and the benefits God brings through it, we can move from resistance to humble acceptance.

   A. Reasons why people may suffer

   • For sin
     • For the unrighteous, suffering is a punishment and consequence of sin (e.g., Deut 31:17-18; 2 Chron 6:26; Jer 44:23).
       • This principle highlights the fact that we are responsible for the consequences of our choices (Gal 6:7-8).
     • While suffering can serve as a form of punishment for our sins, it is also God’s way of helping us reflect on our wrongdoings, repent, and turn back to Him.
   • For righteousness’ sake
     • When we suffer, it is not always because of sin. In fact, many Bible characters suffered for the sake of fulfilling God’s will, holding fast to their faith, or persisting in righteousness (see examples in Further Study (L13)).
       • It is better to suffer for doing what is right according to God’s will, rather than for doing what is wrong. If we suffer for the sake of righteousness, we will be blessed (1 Pet 3:14, 17).
     • Jesus teaches us that if we want to follow Him, we must deny ourselves and take up our cross (Mt 16:24). Therefore, following Jesus comes at a cost. It involves suffering for Him instead of pursuing our own desires.

   B. Benefits and outcomes of suffering - more points in Further Study (L13)

   • Refinement and spiritual growth
     • Suffering refines us.
       • Without suffering, we may find ourselves too stubborn or lazy to change. However, God may place us in situations where we encounter suffering to push us to change our attitude and our actions. As our refiner, He tests our hearts that we may be purified (Prov 17:3; Mal 3:2-3).
         • Ex: Job - The result of his sufferings was a clearer understanding of himself and a more intimate experience of God (Job 23:10; 42:5).
     • Suffering trains up our faith and helps us grow spiritually.
       • If given the choice, most people would prefer to stay in their comfort zones. However, prolonged periods of comfort and indulgence in pleasure often cause us to fall complacent in our faith and relationship with God.
         • Therefore, it is through suffering that we are given the opportunity to reflect on ourselves, draw closer to God, and pursue spiritual growth.
         • Suffering is a training ground for us to cultivate godly virtues, such as patience, endurance, holiness, humility, and compassion (Rom 5:3-5; Jas 1:3-4; Heb 12:10-11).

👣 Practical Actions

• Seek God and rely on Him.
  • When we suffer, we may wrongly assume that God does not care about us. In the midst of our pain and distress, we may blame God, distance ourselves from Him, or even want to give up on our faith.
    • However, we should not equate suffering to God’s absence. God sees, hears, and knows of our suffering (Ps 18:6; 31:7; 120:1). In our distress, He is also distressed (Isa 63:9). He does not willingly afflict us or desire to see us suffer (Lam 3:33), but He allows and enables all things to work for our good (Rom 8:28).
  • Therefore, in our difficulties, we should seek God. Cast our burdens upon Him, for He cares for us and will sustain us (Ps 55:22; 1 Pet 5:7).
• Endure and wait patiently.
  • We are called to persevere in tribulation (Rom 12:12). Though we may struggle, every suffering is only temporary. When we grow weary or faint in our sufferings, we can find strength by waiting on the Lord (Isa 40:28-31).
    • If we are able to patiently endure our sufferings, we will find favor in the eyes of God (1 Pet 2:19-20).
• Stand firm in the face of persecution.
  • Jesus already told us beforehand that because we are not of the world, the world will hate us (Jn 15:19). Although in many countries, physical persecution and torture for religious beliefs is less common, it does still exist. However, persecution that may test our faith in modern society often comes in the form of social suffering (examples in Further Study (L13)).
  • Therefore, in the midst of such suffering, we must continue to hold fast to our faith and do what is right in the eyes of God (Mt 10:22; 1 Pet 2:12; 4:19).
    • We ought to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29). If we can do all things to serve and glorify Him, we will be rewarded in the end (Col 3:23-24).
• Seek the support of others (Prov 17:17; Eccl 4:9-12).
  • Suffering can often feel like we are waging a lonely battle. However, we don’t have to go through suffering on our own.
    • Don’t be afraid to reach out to others. They may be able to provide godly advice and encouragement if they have gone through similar experiences.
    • While others may not be able to relate to us completely, they can at least offer us prayers and emotional support, which can still go a long way in difficult circumstances.

💭 Food For Thought

• How does this lesson affect the way you view suffering in your life?
• Share about a suffering you have experienced or are currently going through.
  • For a past suffering, how did the experience impact your faith or relationship with God? What lesson(s) did you learn?
  • For a current suffering, what has been most challenging for you? What have you found helpful or has encouraged you to keep going, despite this difficult season?

🎯 Challenge Yourself

• Keep a suffering journal to help you reflect on the sufferings you encounter in your life. Use it as a space for you to quiet your heart and write down your honest thoughts, feelings, reactions, lessons learned, and experiences of God.
  • *For ideas of what to include in your journal, see Further Study (L13)
• The objective of this exercise is to empower us to walk through our sufferings with God. Through self-reflection, Scriptural meditation, and journaling, we can shift our focus and gain a new perspective on our circumstances.
  • This journal can also help us recount God’s promises and grace in our difficult times. We can use it to look back on our experiences and share them with others to encourage them in their time of need.
  • Instead of anxiously trying to avoid suffering or complaining when life takes an unexpected turn, we can courageously embrace suffering when it comes. In doing so, we will be able to find meaning and growth, even in life’s valleys.