As a pastor, I've seen many people struggle with the concept of suffering. It's natural to feel like it's senseless and that God is distant. But Scripture offers a different perspective. It reminds us that God is not absent, but rather, He is working in our lives, even in the midst of suffering. Suffering is not just a random event, but rather it's a part of our Christian culture, a reminder that we are not alone.
When we suffer, it's easy to feel like God is not intervening, like He's not caring. But the truth is, God is not indifferent to our suffering. He's not lounging in a celestial deck-chair, watching us suffer. Rather, He's working to change us, to make us more like Jesus. Suffering has a purpose, it's not just a random event, but rather it's a part of the path that leads to glory and beauty. As the Bible says, "He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him" (Ps. 126:6).
For me, as a Christian, understanding suffering is not just about making sense of it, but also about recognizing that I'm not alone in it. Jesus understands my suffering, and He's moved by the suffering of others. He's not just a distant figure, but rather, He's a Savior who's actively working in my life, even in the midst of suffering. As the Bible says, "A deep sigh gives it away. When Jesus healed a deaf man, he let out a deep sigh as he looked up to heaven" (Mark 7:34). He's moved by our suffering, and He's working to bring us through it.