How Does the Bible Address Suffering and Pain in Life?

Recently, we began a new section in our Sunday School entitled “A Biblical View of Suffering.” The main objective of this class is to strengthen and ground ourselves in God’s Word to prepare us to deal with the pain and sorrows inherent in life in a fallen world corrupted by sin.

No matter how much we try to avoid it, suffering is that unwelcome guest that, deep down, we know we have no control over when it arrives. But because we know it will show up sooner or later, we must always be ready. The question is: How? Since none of us wants to go through it, the most common answer would be “avoiding it,” but we know this is not always possible. How many spouses have gone through the pain of adultery even though they were loyal and dedicated to their marriage? How many healthy, athletic people have been diagnosed with a serious illness that they never imagined they would have? How many families have received the news of the tragic death of a loved one who had always lived a correct and safe life? Suffering, however much it can be avoided, is beyond our control in this world between the post-fall and the return of Christ. Therefore, the only effective way to prepare for the tribulations in life is to stand firm in the promises of God revealed in His Word. The Bible speaks exhaustively about this subject and has all the answers we need to understand and deal with suffering in a godly and God-glorifying way so that we can even find benefits and opportunities for growth in our faith and those around us while facing trials in life.

When we shift our focus from the valley of the shadow of death to the One who is with us even in the valley, we are strengthened by His love and faithfulness. We begin to see trials as a means to draw closer to God and become more like our Lord Jesus, who calls us each day to take up our cross and follow Him until one day, all suffering will pass, and every tear will be wiped from our eyes.