When Life Gets Hard: Big Questions About
Pain and Suffering
No
one is immune to pain and suffering; it’s universal. What is not universal is
how we respond to it. Some just “grin and bear it,” while others retaliate
against the hurt by bringing pain to others. Others get bitter toward a God
whose existence they may question, wondering “What kind of God would allow this
to happen?” The Bible does not answer all our questions about why we suffer;
but it tells us enough to know that we can fully trust God—even when we hurt.
It’s
a natural thing for believers to turn to God for relief when they experience
suffering. As we seek Him, many times God answers quickly, but when He doesn’t,
growing disciples continue to lean on Him and trust Him. We continue to be
faithful and obedient to Him even when we don’t fully understand what is
happening.
THE POINT: Suffering is a part of living in a fallen world.
THE PASSAGES: Genesis 3:16-19; Romans 8:18-25
THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE
Some days are harder than others. Deadlines, upset coworkers, and congested traffic make the sight of home a welcome relief. Walking through the door of your house means a chance to relax, catch your breath, and forget about all the hardships of the day. With a good night’s rest, we can face another day. But sometimes the difficulties won’t leave.
We were expecting our first child. The announcement of a baby’s upcoming birth is exciting—and ours was no exception! Like most new parents, we looked forward to the months ahead: fixing up the nursery, attending baby showers, choosing the baby’s name, and even choosing names for his or her grandparents. Family and friends joined in the excitement. But things did not go as planned. Right after the end of the first trimester, the pregnancy ended in miscarriage. We were devastated. The following days were a mix of sleeplessness, grief, tears, questions, anger, and disbelief. We had indeed experienced a great loss. We cried out to God with one question, “Why? Why, Lord, have you permitted this great suffering?”
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY
Genesis 3:16-19
16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. 17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; 18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; 19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
Suffering is a real part of life. Every one of us has experienced suffering in one way or another. But it hasn’t always been that way—nor was it part of God’s design for us.
The word Genesis means, “beginning,” and that is exactly what we see in the first three chapters of this book. In Genesis 1 we see the mighty power of God in creation. In Genesis 2 we see how God interacted with His creation in the garden of Eden. The chapter closes with the creation of Eve and the formation of the family.
These were all great beginnings, but then we get to Genesis 3, one of the saddest chapters in all of Scripture. Adam and Eve had the perfect life in flawless surroundings, but they chose to do the one thing God told them they must not do: “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it” (Gen. 2:17).
Why is this so significant? It was the moment sin entered the world—and with sin came suffering and death. It was a costly decision for Adam and Eve, and the consequences of that sin have been devastating for all of creation ever since.
In these verses God informed Adam and Eve of the consequences of their sin. Earlier in 2:17 God had warned them that one of the consequences of sin would be death. They would no longer be able to live in the garden under the protection of God’s presence; therefore, their physical bodies would suffer under the weight of sin.
After cursing the serpent for deceiving the woman, God addressed Eve first. God would intensify her physical pain in childbirth, and her relationship with her husband would suffer.
Eve’s desire, God said, “shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.” Her inability to rule over or somehow control her husband would be a constant source of frustration. Husbands and wives thus became locked in an ongoing struggle for control that continues to this day.
Adam was also impacted by the consequences of sin. As an immediate consequence of his sin, his work of caring for the land would become difficult. No longer could he and Eve work with ease in the garden; instead, every fruit or grain they consumed would be grown “in sorrow.” In addition to this heavy work, God reminded Adam that the ultimate punishment would be their death. He declared that humanity would “return unto the ground, … for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.”
Physical pain, broken relationships, and hardships: all forms of suffering that are consequences of sin. Sin always brings pain. We might not see sin’s harmful effects at first, but over time the seeds of sin take root and grow, and eventually bring destruction and death. Unfortunately, suffering from sin does not just impact the person who sinned; instead, sin has a ripple effect.
- Family members are hurt when an alcoholic comes home drunk and abusive.
- A parent’s pain is real when children disobey.
- Employees are hurt when a leader in the company embezzles money.
This passage in Genesis 3 shows us how seriously God takes sin. It brings great consequences to our lives. As we’ll see in the next passage, though, we are not the only ones impacted by sin.
Question 2: What emotions do you experience when you read these verses?
Romans 8:18-22
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
KEY WORDS: Vanity (v. 20)—The fall of humanity had an adverse impact on nature. Damaged by sin, it no longer functions to the capacity for which is was designed.
Bondage of corruption (v. 21)—Currently, creation devolves and suffers death just like humanity. But one day, it will be redeemed and restored as well.
Paul took a unique approach to the way a believer should understand pain and suffering. To encourage the believer who might be walking through a difficult time in life, Paul encouraged us to look forward. “The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Instead of focusing on our adversity and becoming absorbed in our pain, Paul reminded us that we have a glorious future. Knowing about our future does not reduce our current pain, but it does encourage us to remember that our current situation is temporary and our future destination is eternal. Paul told the Corinthian church: “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Cor. 4:17).
As a pastor I am so encouraged when I see members of the church family steadfast and faithful to the Lord even though they experience ongoing suffering in their lives. When I visit parents who have lost a child to a tragic accident, I am reminded of that future hope. When I watch a husband care for a sick wife year after year, I am reminded. When I see a student being persecuted for her faith at her high school and yet remain true to the Lord, I am reminded. In Hebrews 11, we see example after example of men and women who remained faithful in the face of hardship and suffering. “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth…. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly” (Heb. 11:13,16).
Followers of Christ are not the only ones suffering yet looking ahead. All of creation “was made subject to vanity,” yet it looks forward to the time when it “also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.” When God made the world it was good, but because of sin it also has become a place of sin, suffering, and death. With words like vanity, bondage, corruption, and groaneth, Paul painted a picture of creation that is far from bright.
We know and have seen the suffering and devastation caused by tornadoes, raging wildfires, tsunamis, droughts, and earthquakes.
One of our favorite places to visit—the Florida panhandle—was devastated when Hurricane Michael came ashore in October 2018 as a category 4 storm and destroyed or heavily damaged everything in its path; homes, businesses, and even Tyndall Air Force Base. At least thirty-five deaths were attributed to this storm. 1 Hurricanes are just one of the examples of a world that is falling apart because of sin. It’s no surprise, then, that creation itself looks forward to “the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
Question 3: How would you describe the contrast between creation and our current state?
Romans 8:23-25
23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
Creation groans, and so do the followers of Christ. “Even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” We groan because we understand the devastation of sin. We groan, but we groan with hope. Because of the indwelling Spirit in our lives, we have tasted hope. We have a hope that assures us of better things to come. Just as a mother groans in pain during birth, she does not groan hopelessly. She groans with anticipation of the child to be born.
John described this hope to us later in the Book of Revelation. “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Rev. 21:3-4). When the new heaven and the new earth are unveiled, all our suffering and pain will cease. We will be dwelling with God; sin and its consequences will be no more. This provides great hope for the believer as we walk through the sin, pain, and suffering of this world.
Question 4: What are some ways the Holy Spirit helps you endure suffering and look forward with hope?
Earlier, Paul had described our relationship with Christ in terms of adoption (Rom. 8:14-16). This is a picture we greatly value, because we have three adopted sons from China. As eager as we were to bring them into our home, they also were eager to have a forever family. Without adoption, some children feel no real sense of identity or belonging. Wherever they live is only temporary; “home” has no sense of permanence. Adoption means someone
loves them—someone wants them.
Paul had this image in mind as he wrote about the believer’s eagerness to be brought home. Adoption through Christ points to God’s immense love for us even when we see ourselves as unlovable. He has chosen us, even when it feels like the world has abandoned us. He is coming for us, even when our current circumstances cause us to question His timing. And this is the basis for our hope. The world often talks of hope like a wish or desire, but Scripture defines hope as a confident and guaranteed expectation. When God promises to do something, He will do it.
God has adopted us as His children through Jesus, but we are still waiting to enter our forever home of heaven. When that day comes, we will say goodbye to all pain or suffering for all eternity.
Question 5: What excites you most about our future hope?
ENGAGE
Check each item that is a biblical reason for the existence of suffering.
____ Karma
____ God’s desire to bring people to repent
____ Sin
____ Bad luck
____ Fate
____ People’s inhumanity to each other
____ God’s judgment
____ Other: _______________________
What questions do you ask yourself when you’re in the midst of suffering?
LIVE IT OUT
Suffering is present, but it is not permanent. How will you live out the truths of these passages?
Acknowledge your sin. Admit to God that you are a sinner. While you may live with the consequences of past sin, you can be forgiven and look forward to a future in Christ that will ultimately be free of suffering.
Look to God. As you groan with hope and look to the future, make a list of the ways God can use your current situation to deepen your walk with Him.
Share your hope. As you encounter others who are suffering, allow God to use your suffering to help others. Be aware of opportunities to help and encourage others who are suffering.
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In His Love,
David & Susan
