Why God Allows Suffering

Romans 5:3-5 (NLT)

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. 

Romans 5:3-5 links with James 1:2-4 in that both verses speak of being joyful when faced with problems and trials in our lives.  To the natural-thinking mind, this is ludicrous and downright wrong.  How can you rejoice (Romans 5:3) or have all joy (James 1:2) when you are suffering?  Well, the word used for rejoice means “to glory” or “to boast” and the word used for joy means “calm delight”.  Neither word means to be happy, but has a much deeper meaning.  Here in Romans, the reasons why you should rejoice when problems and trials hit you is because of what they will build and produce in you---endurance (patience, steadfastness), strength of character, and confidant hope.  These are qualities that define a great man or woman.  Most people would like to be thought of as great people.  Enduring suffering will produce greatness in you.  AW Tozer said that “It is doubtful that God can use anyone greatly until He has hurt him deeply”.

This is why you should rejoice during your problems and trials because of the later benefits produced in you that will be admired by others…….and by God Himself.

The best book that I have read that explains why God allows suffering and all the good (Romans 8:28) that can result from suffering is Jane McWhorter’s “Let This Cup Pass” (Quality Publications, 1978).  Here are reasons she gives for why God allows people to suffer: 

§ Suffering keeps the world from becoming too attractive.  Woe to the man or woman whose life on earth is so pleasant that he/she forgets about heaven (I Peter 2:11).

§ Suffering brings out our best.  There are no petty differences when a family rallies around a loved one who is suffering.

§ Suffering gives an occasion to put to silence the enemies of God.  Everyone knows the story of Job and how that turned out.  Those who know the Lord do not shy away from suffering or death.

§ Suffering makes us appreciative.  We receive so many good things, especially our health, that we take them for granted that can make us unappreciative of our true blessings.

§ Suffering makes us depend on God.  We seldom really acknowledge this.  When the medical team says, “We’ve done all that we can do”, then you understand that God is in control (Isaiah 54:5).

§ Suffering purifies us.  You will become truthful with God when it gets really bad (I Peter 4:12-19).

§ Suffering makes us empathetic.  Truly compassionate people have been there where the suffering is and/or has been (II Cor 1:3-6)

§ Suffering makes one humble.  Pride goes before the fall.  Once you or a loved one is in the “slough of despond”, prideful things fall away.

§ Suffering teaches us to pray.  The depths of our needs are proportional to the height with which we pray.  Lying on one’s face, arms stretched out to our Lord, this is genuine, heartfelt communication with the Almighty.

May you be able to use these profound thoughts and verses to help you experience joy despite whatever pain, trouble, and sorrow you are experiencing right now.  “Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.”—Helen Keller