Biblical Answer

The Problem of Suffering: A Biblical Perspective

When we face suffering, it's natural to ask, "Why me? Why now? Why always me?" These questions can be overwhelming, especially when we feel like we're carrying the weight of the world on our shoulders. However, as Christians, we must approach these questions with a biblical perspective. We must remember that God is sovereign and that He is using us, even in the midst of suffering, for His great purposes.

The Faulty Theology of Suffering

Many of us have a faulty theology of suffering, which can lead to frustration and despair. We may think that God's love for us means that He should always heal us or remove our suffering. But the Bible teaches us that God's love for us is not just about removing our suffering, but about transforming us through it. We must learn to trust God's goodness and sovereignty, even when we don't understand why we're suffering. As the psalmist says, "He sent from above, He took me; He drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too strong for me" (Psalm 91:14).

Finding Hope in the Midst of Suffering

So, why me? Why now? Why always me? The answer is not always easy to find, but it's in the midst of our suffering that we can find hope. We can find hope in the fact that God is using us for His purposes, even when we don't understand what those purposes are. We can find hope in the fact that God is sovereign and that He is working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28). We can find hope in the fact that we are not alone in our suffering, but that God is with us, even in the midst of it. And we can find hope in the fact that our suffering can be transformed into something beautiful, something that brings glory to God. As Jesus said, "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:10). May we find hope in the midst of our suffering, and may we trust in God's goodness and sovereignty, even when we don't understand why we're suffering.