Biblical Answer

Why Did God Make Me Suffer Like This?

Suffering is a universal human experience that has puzzled many people, including Christians. We often struggle to understand why God allows us to undergo pain and hardship. A faulty theology of suffering can lead us to assume that God's ultimate goal is to make us happy and comfortable, and therefore, He should heal us. However, this perspective neglects the reality of suffering in the life of Jesus Christ, who suffered on the cross for our sins. We must not assume that God is making us jump through unnecessary hoops but rather recognize that He is the One Who suffered for us.

When we face suffering, it's essential to remember that God's ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). We may not understand why God allows us to suffer, but we can trust that He is working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28). Suffering can be a means of growing in our faith, deepening our knowledge of God, and learning to trust Him in the midst of uncertainty. When we cry out to God in our suffering, He may not always give us a clear answer, but He does give us Himself. We can say, "God, I don't know what you're doing, but you do, and that is enough." Turning to God and trusting Him with the mysteries of suffering is the answer to the problem of suffering.

In the midst of suffering, we may also struggle with feelings of anger, resentment, and bitterness towards God. We may ask, "Why did God cause this to happen to me?" or "Why didn't God stop them from hurting me?" However, we must not forget that God is a God of justice, and He will one day bring justice to those who have caused us harm. Our response to suffering should be to ask ourselves, "Lord, why was I so insensitive and obstinate?" rather than "Why did God do this to me?" By doing so, we can begin to see our suffering as an opportunity to grow in our faith and to trust God more deeply. As the psalmist said, "My God, why have you forsaken me? Why must this suffering go on so long? Oh God, my God, will you ever bring it to an end?" (Psalm 22:1-2). May we learn to trust God in the midst of suffering and to see it as an opportunity to deepen our relationship with Him.