Everyone experiences suffering at some point. Does God simply allow suffering? Is God the originator of suffering?
What does the Bible say about suffering?
Is suffering Biblical?
Suffering, like it or not, can be a great teacher. We often learn more during times of adversity than in times of prosperity. Peter exhorted us to “arm ourselves to suffer.” Jesus learned obedience through suffering. Suffering is inescapable. We might as well learn as much as possible in the pain.
Since Jesus learned obedience through suffering (my article on obedience) why would we think that we could avoid it?
What Does The Bible Say About Suffering — Jesus
Matthew 16:21 From that time Jesus began to point out to His disciples that it was necessary for Him to go to Jerusalem and to suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and to be killed, and to be raised up on the third day.
Matthew 17:11-12 And He answered and said, “Elijah is coming and will restore all things, but I say to you that Elijah already came, and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they wanted. So also the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.”
Luke 22:15 And He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.
Luke 24:26 Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to come into His glory?”
Acts 1:3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
I Peter 3:18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.
Isaiah 53:10 Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.
I Peter 2:23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
What Did Peter Say About Suffering?
Peter mentioned suffering nearly two dozen times in his first (very short) epistle. He was intimately aware of physical and emotional suffering. What does the bible say about suffering through the Apostle Peter?
I Peter 1:6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.
I Peter 2:20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
1 Peter 4:1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.
I Peter 4:19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
What Did Paul Say About Suffering?
Paul had an extremely tough life. He was stoned, shipwrecked, and beaten with rods. Jesus specifically proclaimed that Paul would suffer. Not such a warm and fuzzy “word” given by our Master. What does the bible say about suffering through the Apostle Paul?
Romans 8:17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
2 Corinthians 1:5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.
2 Corinthians 1:7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.
Ephesians 3:13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.
Philippians 1:29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him.
I Thessalonians 1:6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.
2 Timothy 3;12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
Can Suffering Produce Spiritual Growth?
Face it. Many of us are hardheaded. The only we learn is through the School of Hardknocks. Joseph had layovers in a pit, at Potiphar’s house (slavery), and prison before he even sniffed at being the Prime Minister.
David faced extreme adversity before assuming the throne. Just after Jesus’ baptism He driven into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit.
James 1:2-3 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
Romans 5:3-4 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Hebrews 5:8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.
Acts 5:41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.
Philippians 4:12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
Benediction
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.