Why do christians suffer

Wars, violence, racism, abuse, corruption and a thousand other evils are not caused by God. Tragically it is often people who are entirely innocent who suffer the most. Many ask why the innocent suffer. How can a child be born with cancer or a disability? What have they done to deserve this?

There are no simple answers. We cannot know the mind of God. What we do know is that the Bible says God cares passionately about all of us. If a person is suffering it is not because God hates them. In the Bible book, John, Jesus dismisses the suggestion that a man was born blind because he or his parents had done something wrong.

God hates suffering and injustice. He champions the poor and the outcasts. He calls on leaders to be just and fair. For those that are suffering there is also the reassurance that it will come to an end and that there will be an eternity with peace and justice. Christianity teaches that God sent Jesus Christ to live among humanity to provide a way to restore what he originally created: a place with no suffering.

And so in the future there will be a new heaven and new Earth. God created a world in which some people will have a long life and others a short life. But from the viewpoint of eternity, all lives on Earth will seem fleeting. It was, however, only with considerable hindsight that Joseph was able to come to this conclusion. Similarly, it is hard for most sufferers to believe this until enough time has elapsed that the trauma of suffering has been put into a broader perspective.

Christ is the answer to suffering. Fourteen 14 reasons why God directs suffering of the believer:. To produce endurance and consequently maturity Jam. To discipline and restore spiritual dynamics Heb.

To provide a witness to unbelievers Phil. To glorify Christ Phil. To bring greater joy in eternity 2 Cor. To develop inner strength for comfort for others in suffering 2 Cor.

To humble us towards spiritual growth 2 Cor. To provide doctrinal tests for eternal rewards 1 Pet. To motivate us to appreciate and love others in the body of Christ 1 Cor. Suffering is a result of human sin. There are two major classifications of suffering. Suffering also comes from evil world forces. God directs suffering of believers for a purpose. Fourteen 14 reasons why God directs suffering of the believer: 1.

To increase faith and love 2 Thess. Within that logic, our present circumstances are the result of past actions: sins in a past life can determine suffering here and now.

Not so in Christianity. Indeed, if anything, Christianity reverses that paradigm: those who live in privilege now are warned of an afterlife of suffering if they do not take the radical medicine of Christ.

While we can absolutely look for meaning in our suffering, we should not use it as a measuring stick for guilt, or think that if we only prayed harder or had more faith or did better, our lives would be suffering-free. From a biblical perspective, we must also reject the idea that if God loves us, he cannot intend for us to suffer. This premise crumbles on every scriptural page. Time and again, we see those who are chosen and beloved by God suffering.

Indeed, our beliefs about God and suffering expose the fault lines between our natural assumptions and the biblical narrative. The loving, omnipotent God of our imagination would move swiftly from creation to new creation, from the garden of Eden of Genesis to the heavenly Jerusalem of Revelation. But the God of the Bible charts a different course. He spreads his story out over thousands, even millions, of years and weaves in all the mess of human history—sin and sex and death and historical accident.

And at the center of history, he stakes the cross of his beloved Son. It is not even Plan B. It is the lynchpin around which all human history revolves, the central peg of reality itself. Indeed, it is the lens through which we visualize the narrative itself. But it is not the last word. The Lord of the Rings kindled my imagination as a child. My father read it to me. At a low point in the narrative, two central characters, Frodo and Sam, discuss where they are in the story. Sam recalls how he used to think that people in tales went looking for adventure because their lives were dull.

The hobbits do not know how their story will end. If it ended in this moment, it would be bleak and hopeless. But the story goes on. The story leaves Frodo scarred in body and mind. But it is a victory nonetheless, and one of which he and Sam hear songs sung and stories told. Finally, changed and matured, Frodo goes with the elves to their land across the sea. The journey of all the central characters is through darkness—even death—to new life.

But tap them on the shoulder at the darkest moment, and none would know where they are in the story. If you are in the midst of suffering now, hope of a happy ending may feel crass. A friend who lost his first child to miscarriage shared with me that for a long time, he and his wife could only pray Psalm 88, which ends with darkness.

But I think suffering is the greatest apologetic for Christianity there is. From an atheist perspective, not only is there no hope of a better end to the story; there is no ultimate story.

Sometimes we suffer attacks from the enemy simply because of our involvement with the Word of God. Mark speaks of those who hear the Word and endure it for a while, He knows the Word will strengthen us and help us live a victorious Christian life, and he wants to stop it if he can. Christians may also face trials and suffer simply because we live in a world full of sin.

But Jesus said, I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]!

For I have overcome the world. What a promise! Understanding the reason for our suffering and having the assurance of the final glory we'll share should make it a little easier to enjoy our lives And if we are [His] children, then we are [His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His inheritance with Him]; only we must share His suffering if we are to share His glory Romans God wants to meet your needs and reveal His promises to you. So whatever you're concerned about and need prayer for—we are here for you!

Learn how to change your thinking and enjoy freedom in every area. Joyce teaches about the importance of having right mindsets, using the story of the Israelites wandering in the wilderness. At any time you can unsubscribe and remove your consent. We respect your privacy. Your email will not be shared. Don't have an account? Start Here. Forgot your password? Reset Password. Everyday Answers with Joyce Meyer.