Why we suffer

I came across this little paragraph from an unknown author in a book I’m reading:

Suffering is not God’s desire for us, but it occurs in the process of life.  Suffering is not given to teach us something, but through it we learn.  Suffering is not given to punish us, but sometimes it is the consequence of our sin or poor judgment.  Suffering does not occur because our faith is weak, but through it our faith may be strengthened.  God does not depend on human suffering to achieve his purposes, but sometimes through suffering his purposes are achieved.  Suffering can either destroy us, or it can add meaning to our life.  (quoted from Seeing Gray in a World of Black & White by Rev. Adam Hamilton)

All of us will be confronted by suffering and pain sometime in life.  I’ve often heard people say in the midst of some tragedy, “Everything happens for a reason.”   It’s a way of saying “God is in control therefore everything must have a purpose even if we don’t know what it is.”  The way I see it, if God controls everything, he’s not doing a very good job of things. 

How can it be God is in control when people continually are diagnosed with cancer, heart attacks, strokes and a host of other afflictions?  How can it be God is in control when tens of thousands of children die every day from hunger or easily treatable diseases?  How can it be God is in control when wars and pestilence ravage our world year after year?  How can it be God is in control when 6,000 American teenagers die in car accidents every year?   There must be another answer besides saying that all these things happen to fulfill God purposes.

God is good and his lovingkindness never fails.  There must be a way of reconciling the belief that God loves those he created and the suffering all humans experience.  It’s impossible to come anywhere close to answering the question of suffering in a few short paragraphs.  Here are a couple of ideas though.

First, God created the universe to operate within the laws of physics.  The same gravity which keeps us all from floating off into space, can result in pain if we fall.  Sometimes the laws of nature work in our favor, sometimes they work against us.  God does at times intervene and supersede these laws, but not very often.  That’s why those times are called miracles and not everyday occurrences.

Second, we live in a world where individuals have free will.  As a result, we may suffer because of the choices that other people make.  God does not always protect us from the sinful behavior of others or of our own.  God gives people the freedom to drink and drive.  God gives people the freedom to smoke cigarettes, eat fatty foods, and overindulge in sweet treats.  But with those kinds of choices may come consequences that cause suffering. 

Thirdly, we live in a world where evil forces from the spiritual realm conspire against us.  I certainly don’t believe that there’s a demon under every rock ready to ambush us.  On the other hand, the Bible is clear that there is one who comes “only to kill, steal, and destroy.” (John 10:10)

God leaves it to us to live within the physical laws of the world, to live in ways that don’t cause harm to others or ourselves and to do battle in the heavenlies.  Moreover, God does not leave us all alone.  God upholds us by the power of his Spirit and gives to us grace and mercy, so that in the midst of our suffering we may turn to him and find strength and peace.

Comments

[Daniel]

interesting quote up there from Rev. Hamilton. I wonder if "suffering" is in the eye of the beholder? That is, where is the line between "suffering" and "inconvenience" or whatever. Or - is pain intrinsically bad/evil? I mean, I certainly don't want it to happen to me and all...
In the last few years I have learned to appreciate that there is something deeply true in the emphasis on cross-bearning and 'sharing the sufferings of Christ' - which the NT Apostles (especially Paul) and the early church fathers seem to take for granted - that The Roman Church especially has been able to basically maintain in the face of a desire-oriented consumer culture.

[Greg Hazelrig]

I agree with your assessment of why we suffer. I preached on this topic not long ago and used the free will argument for the most part.

I also have a problem with people saying that everything happens for a reason. Some things are simply coincidence. And when they say that God is in control, they often mean that He pulls the strings on anything they can't explain. I do believe that He is in ultimate control, but that because of free will, He allows us to make our own mistakes as well as successes.

[Brett]

thanks for the thoughts. I just posted about suffering on my blog, and have a totally different perspective. At the heart of your argument is that we deserve not to suffer, that God owes us His mercy. We are no longer amazed by God's grace.

[Brett]

We can have a meaningful discussion and present our arguments and agree to disagree without getting mad at each other.

I believe that man has free will, but not like you mean. Our free will cannot trump God's will. God is completely sovereign and in control of every aspect of the universe, down to the smallest detail.

It is umcomfortable to think about, because we like to focus on the parts of God we like - Love, Grace, and Mercy. We like to ignore parts we don't like so much. If this happens we no longer worship the God who is, but the god we want him to be.

[lucky]

nice