Biblical Answer

The Mystery of Suffering

The question of why God allows us to suffer when we're doing everything right is a mystery that has puzzled people for centuries. From a biblical perspective, we can't fully understand God's reasons for permitting suffering, but we can trust that He is sovereign and that His ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). Job's experience is a classic example of this. Despite his righteousness, Job suffered greatly, and his friends couldn't understand why. Job himself struggled to understand, but he ultimately came to a place of trust, saying, "I had only heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes" (Job 42:5-6). This shows that even in the midst of suffering, we can choose to trust God and find comfort in Him.

The Purpose of Suffering

The Bible teaches that suffering is not always a punishment for sin, but it can be a means of spiritual growth and refinement (Romans 5:3-4, James 1:2-4). Sometimes, God allows us to suffer so that we can know Him better and trust Him more fully. When we're faced with suffering, we're forced to confront our own limitations and the sovereignty of God. This can lead to a deeper understanding of God's character and a greater appreciation for His love and goodness. For example, Jesus, who was perfect and sinless, suffered greatly on the cross, not because of any sin, but because of His love for us. He suffered so that we might have eternal life, and His sacrifice shows us the extent of God's love for us.

Finding Comfort in Suffering

While we may not be able to fully understand why God allows us to suffer, we can find comfort in knowing that He is working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28). This doesn't mean that suffering is easy to endure or that it's always pleasant, but it does mean that God is present with us in our suffering and that He is using it to achieve His purposes. When we're faced with suffering, we can choose to trust God and find comfort in Him, just like Job did. We can also seek to understand God's character and His love for us, which can give us a deeper appreciation for His goodness, even in the midst of suffering. Ultimately, our goal should be to find God in our suffering, not to eliminate it or to understand it fully. By trusting God and finding comfort in Him, we can navigate even the most difficult circumstances with faith and hope.