Biblical Answer

The Mystery of Suffering

You're feeling lost and without purpose, and suffering seems to be at the root of it. It's natural to seek answers and explanations for our pain. However, the Bible teaches that sometimes suffering is inexplicable, and it's in these moments that we must look to God's sovereignty and trust in His goodness. As the psalmist says, "God, I don't know what you are doing, but you do, and that is enough." This means that even when we can't understand the reasons behind our suffering, we can still trust that God is working everything out for our good.

The Inner Spiritual Nature

The problem of suffering is often rooted in our inner spiritual nature. We were created to crave God, and when we don't experience Him, we feel a deep ache. This is where our understanding must shift from looking for explanations in our minds to looking for them in our spirits. When we submit to the life of Jesus and allow our inner nature to be transformed, our understanding will become clear. This is a process that requires patience, trust, and surrender. It's not about finding answers or explanations for our suffering but about allowing God to work in us, even in the midst of our pain.

The Purpose of Suffering

While suffering can feel like a senseless and cruel fate, the Bible teaches that it's a necessary part of the Christian life. Jesus himself suffered immeasurably, and we're called to follow in His footsteps. Through our suffering, we're being conformed to the image of Christ, and it's in this process that we're made stronger, our character is built, and our faith is deepened. We're not just enduring suffering; we're practicing it, and in doing so, we're increasing our capacity for joy in all circumstances. As we trust in God's goodness and sovereignty, we'll begin to see that our suffering is not in vain, but rather, it's a means of growing closer to Him and experiencing the fullness of life in Him.