God created everything perfect but due to the sin of mankind, the earth produced ‘thorns and thistles’. Along with this, the devil created various hurdles in the way of mankind while also afflicting him with diseases and weaknesses. Lord Jesus has freed us from the grasp of the devil through His sacrifice but all around us the devil still reigns. Despite not being under his control, we are still afflicted by afflictions caused by him.
Why does suffering afflict us? God finished the creation process after creating Adam and then ‘He saw everything that He had made, and it was very good’ (Genesis 1:31). God is perfect and all that He had created was also ‘very good’. In the whole process there were some things that were created on the third day, before the sun and moon were created. The ‘grass, the herb that yields seed and the fruit tree that yields fruits according to its kind, whose seed is in itself according to its kind’ were all created on the earth (Genesis 1:11-12). All that was essential for the sustenance of man, beasts and birds was in this list. Adam was the one who had received the direct command from God about not eating the fruit of the ‘tree of knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:17). As a result of his sin the curse came upon the earth for Adam’s sake and it was to add ‘both thorns and thistles for you, and you shall eat the herb of the field’ (Genesis 3:17-19). With that mankind was doomed to eat ‘in the sweat of your face’ after hard labour. The woman received the curse of great sorrow during her life and a painful childbirth (Genesis 3:16). However, with that the relationship equation between man and woman also changed and during all her life, her ‘desire shall be for your husband and he shall rule over you’.
The first shortcoming that God noticed in His creation was man being alone or in solitude or isolation. However, when God created man initially, ‘male and female He created them’ (Genesis 1:27). It is believed that man was initially created with both male and female characteristics in him and the reproduction process was within him. He being in God’s image and likeness could produce a child alone. Since every other created being had a male and a female part as companions, man was thus alone in himself. God’s decision to ‘make a helper comparable to him’ resulted in the woman being created from one of his ribs, thus separating the female traits (Genesis 2:18). The Hebrew word ‘ezer-kenegdo’ defines the exact role of the woman before the fall. ‘Ezer’ is derived from its root word ‘azar’ meaning ‘to help, assist, provide support in times of need or distress’. In the Scriptures, God is mentioned as a Helper to His people. The second word ‘kenegdo’ is from ‘nagad’ meaning ‘to expose, predict, praise’. The woman was created by God to be an equal partner with man and to even oppose him in his wrongdoings.
After sin, the woman was made to bear the blame for the sin and Adam even pointed a finger at God for His having given the woman (Genesis 3:12). With the fall, not only was their relationship with God affected but between themselves and with the created beings also got adversely affected. Even the animals and beasts stand in opposition to man now, thus adding to the troubles of mankind.
The sun, moon and the stars and all that was created in their light after the fourth day, were created with a dual nature. Everything has the negative as well as the positive aspects of nature inherent in it. The astrologers calculate the alignment of the stars at a child’s birth and then chart out his future based on the future effects of the stars and their positive or negative effects. Also because of sin there has been general decline in the moral character of mankind. What was sinful twenty years back is considered normal today. As a result, our relationship with God and with each other is more on self-interest rather than mutual interest.
All these are natural causes in nature that bring about sufferings in our lives. What God desires from us is a sense of gratitude for what we have, rather than complaining about what is not there. God has put everyone in a particular family, place and situation as per His good plan, which may not necessarily be for our good but for the good of others. Once we submit to the situation and start performing our best, while seeking God to help come out of it, two things happen. First, your assigned task may be completed earlier than expected and a new door may open for you. Second, God may help you by changing from within to adjust to the present.
Also, a particular situation may be in our lives to teach us something. Apostle Paul has taught about this, that ‘whom the LORD loves He chastens’ (Hebrews 12:6). God does not cause sufferings in our lives but He permits that to happen, for we are continually being changed into the image of our Saviour Lord. This is to save us from the path of darkness and evil and strengthen our relationship with Him. God may also allow our testing, by permitting some pain and suffering, like Job, as also to set an example for others through our forbearance. No one can say for certain the exact reasons for a particular suffering or disease or event but we must stay strong in faith that the Lord is in control and will work it all out for our good eventually (Romans 8:28).
Why do believers suffer? When the Israelites left Egypt ‘a mixed multitude went up with them also’ (Exodus 12:38). Some of them probably believed in the LORD God; some left for fear that they would be used for labour that the Israelites were doing and some left for better avenues in the ‘land flowing with milk and honey’ that awaited the Jewish people. Some of the Israelites were easily convinced by these people at the least sign of trouble. The making and worship of the golden calf or their complaints about water and meat were probably due to this. They had been in Egypt for a long period of 400 years and a large part of that as slaves. As a result, they had started following Egyptian religious rituals, for the Law of God or the Torah was not yet given. Slavery also created an impulse in most of them to look for themselves rather than each other.
The first to submit to Lord Jesus were all Jews and they formed a core group. However, many Jewish rulers or members of their Council or Sanhedrin also believed in the Lord (John 12:42). As a result, a dispute arose when the Jewish believers wanted non-Jews to first submit to their customs before becoming Christians. Many in the Church create such issues in the Church today also and I have faced this many times.
When we believe and submit to the Lord, we are born again but that does not mean that just like a computer, a new software is loaded into us with a totally new belief system. The old beliefs keep on surfacing, especially for those whose family members are still not in the faith. The first commandment to Moses and for all of us is clear on this, ‘you shall have no other gods before Me’ (Exodus 20:3). Many believers also continue to follow certain rituals of the old faith. We cannot add our LORD God to a list of other gods in the belief that we place Him at the first and top spot. God, the Holy Spirit, is in us as a Teacher, to teach all things and remind us the Words of the Lord (John 14:26). We have a choice to make Him only a resident in us or the President in our lives by surrendering to His control.
God is not obliged to answer the cries of someone who has placed Him at second, third or even lower priority in his life. Some general causes of suffering in a believer’s life may be different from others. First, we are surrounded by the forces of darkness who are opposed to our way of living. Also, the effects of food and the polluted air that we breathe bring their ill-effects on our bodies. Connected to this is the effect of genetic changes that have occurred in mankind as specific to regional impacts of their life-styles.
Second, we suffer due to the choices we make in our lives for ‘whatever a man sows, that he also must reap’ (Galatians 6:7-9). When we let the desires of the flesh control our lives, we will be made to bear the consequences of that. Apostle Paul further said, ‘let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart’. Our good deeds fill us with peace and joy, thus saving us from undue stress and worries.
Third, our sufferings may be from God to discipline us or teach us some lessons. It is also an expression of God’s love for us, ‘for whom the LORD loves he chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives’ (Hebrews 12:6).
Four, we may suffer for our faith. In many countries in the world, all those who believe, are targeted for their faith. People desire to get the benefits that they receive by associating with a believer but stand in opposition once their work is over. The forces of evil around us bring suffering on a believer for his faith in Lord Jesus, for this convicts them (2 Timothy 3:12).
It is not necessary that all these would cause affliction at one time. Also, all suffering is not due to our sins or foolish and uncontrolled living. A believer’s sins are forgiven through faith but sin has certain consequences. The sin of adultery, when confessed and repented of, is forgiven but the resultant pregnancy and child born from that will afflict. A believer’s sinful nature is changed gradually, through the work of the indwelling Holy Spirit. He would still commit sins but will repent and make sincere efforts to refrain and control his desires.
Difference in suffering – Our suffering is never without a purpose and it is of various types. Apostle Paul lists out some of these as mental, physical, emotional and spiritual (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). But the difference is that we, as members of a church, are supposed to be one body in Lord Jesus and not a loosely grouped association. We must care for one another for ‘if one member suffers, all suffer with it’ (1 Corinthians 12:25-26). Apostle Paul has even taught, ‘bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ’. Our Lord suffered for us and we as His followers must share in the others’ pain. This is about encouraging, helping and standing together.
We suffer so that we may be able to help others in a similar situation. God as a loving Father equips us to bear tribulation and comforts us ‘that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God’ (2 Corinthians 1:4). Suffering shapes us into the image of God’s Son and we experience the truth of God’s Word. With this firsthand experience then we can help others face their trials.
Everyone born on the earth is born with a sinful nature and nobody teaches a child to sin. When we turn to the Lord and surrender to His control, the devil and his forces of evil stand in opposition to us to regain the lost control. We are thus, perpetually in a battleground on the earth. Our response in trial should be like Job, ‘shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?’ (Job 2:10). Apostle Paul was the chosen one of God to suffer for His name’s sake and he understood it all to be for a glorious future in the Lord. He could then teach us the hidden purpose of suffering, terming it as ‘light affliction, which is but for a moment’ (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). It prepares us to look beyond this to ‘the eternal weight of glory’ that God has prepared for us in heaven.
Any surface before being polished to a great finish, to reveal its true nature, must first be sandpapered over to remove the dark spots. Our suffering is this process to make us shine in our God given glory and be a true witness of His glorious work in us.
What should be our response to suffering? Apostle Peter was sought by the devil to sift him as wheat and received strength through our Lord praying for him. He has taught, ‘since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin’ (1 Peter 4:1). Accept suffering as a way of life to escape from sin’s grip.
Since suffering transforms us, recognise its spiritual benefits. ‘We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character hope. And hope does not disappoint’ (Romans 5:3-5). Spiritual giants of the past from the disciples to Paul, Stephen and innumerable others suffered to receive the ‘crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge will give’ (2 Timothy 4:8).
Do not complain or plan for revenge. When we suffer our natural tendency is to complain over its unfairness or even that many others with serious sins are not punished. We may try and seek or take revenge against the one who causes this suffering for us. But we must remember that God’s justice is absolutely sure, though it may not be in the time and manner of our choosing. We are cautioned, ‘beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord’ (Romans 12:19). No evil will go unpunished and many times the punishment is not visible to us. In the end His justice will play out fully. God will punish and reward according to His ways and time.
There is a tipping point in the scale of God’s justice. For humanity it is, when ‘every intent of the thoughts of his (man) heart was only evil continually’ (Genesis 6:5-6). When the Lord is ‘grieved in the heart’, the justice visibly comes for all to see. For individuals also a similar scale would be there. Our task is to praise Him for His endless mercies and look forward to eternal joy in His presence!
Suffering and pain on the earth is not from God but is from the devil as a result of our sin. To bear it and to come out of it is also possibly only with God’s help. Like Apostle Paul, we must learn to be content in every situation of joy or suffering and be thankful to the Lord for His mercy and grace. It is a difficult thing to follow, but without that, the pain of suffering keeps increasing.
