Suffering: How Do We Respond?

“Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble.”

Job 14:1

Why is there suffering? You might ask that question when you hear of hurricanes, mudslides, earthquakes, and other disasters taking people's lives. Job asked that question too. Why is there so much pain in God's world? Consider these reasons:

• We can't escape the laws that govern our universe. We need such things as gravity, weather, and fire to survive, but they can lead to tragedy (Matthew 5:45). Fire is good in your stove, but an out-of-control fire can kill.

• We are a social race. Our lives are intertwined, so we sometimes suffer when the sin or foolishness of others spreads trouble (1 Corinthians 12:26).

• Sin brought a curse on the earth and its people. This curse includes disease and death (Genesis 3:15-24).

• Suffering awakens compassion. Jesus told us to care for those who suffer in poverty. We are His partners in helping others (Luke 10:33-35).

As Job discovered, God's world is a fallen place. When we see suffering, we can use it as an opportunity to serve God by helping others, to trust Him in spite of the difficulty, and to grow in faith in Him.

When trouble hits, let our first reaction be to trust the Lord and care for the needs of others. 

Dave Branon

Our response to suffering can either make us or break us.

From “Our Daily Bread,” copyright 2006 by RBC Ministries,

Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission.

Beyond the above reasons we also know that man’s experience with sin and evil will show them the “exceeding sinfulness of sin” and it will result to their everlasting benefit in God’s Kingdom.