A common objection to having faith in God is the problem of human suffering. This reasoning says that since there is suffering in the world, and especially the suffering of the innocent, there either must not be a higher power, or else this power must be a cruel monster not worth serving. After all, it is reasoned, if there was a merciful and just God, wouldn’t He keep all the heartaches and sorrows here on earth from ever happening? When one considers all the natural disasters of the earth, along with man’s cruelty to fellow man, it is enough to cause even strong souls to doubt at times. One skeptic who had lost a child in a tragic accident demanded of a believer, “Where was your God the day my son died?”

The answer to this question, of course, is that God was on His throne in Heaven, in the same place He was when His own Son was here and died like a criminal for crimes He never committed. So while the problem of suffering can often appear complex and difficult, is not the best answer to the puzzle found in Jesus, our Creator? (John 1:1-3; Col. 1:16.)

Jesus walked along the road to Emmaus with two of his disciples who were trying to understand the problem of suffering. They did not understand how the one they (correctly) believed to be the Messiah could be allowed to suffer and die as a transgressor. The Savior’s identity was hidden from them as He first listened, then rebuked them for their unbelief. “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things (emphasis mine - TWW) and to enter into His glory? And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” (Luke 24:25-27)

Though the truth of Christ’s suffering may be an uncomfortable thought to us, we can begin to make at least some sense out of suffering if we consider Him who “endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself.” (Heb. 12:3a)

When God created man in the beginning, He knew that suffering would be our lot in life. Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 7:13,14; “Consider the work of God; for who can make straight what He has made crooked? In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: Surely God has appointed the one as well as the other, so that man can find nothing that will happen after him. ”

In this passage we are assured that there will be unfair things in life ~ “crooked” things He has made which cannot be straightened out. Husbands & fathers who abuse their wives and children; wives & mothers who don’t love their families; ungrateful children; corrupt politicians; political leaders who would do anything in war to obtain the advantage; greedy corporations; shoddy workmanship; etc.. We need to speedily disabuse ourselves of the notion that life is meant to be one big round of pleasure. God has placed us in an environment that is hostile to anyone who wants to do right. “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, ” (I Peter 2:11)

Not only did our Creator know that we would suffer, notice that He also knew that His Son would suffer. In Revelation 13:8, Jesus is referred to as “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” The same God Who knew we would suffer, also determined that His Son would also suffer for us. So if the One by Whom all things were made was not exempted from suffering, why should we who are His creation go without suffering? “Since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. ” (I Peter 1:1,2)

One of the most expensive and valuable things on earth is gold. Many of us own jewelry or coins made of gold. We understand that the reason our gold is valuable is because it has gone through the refiner’s fire. We are assured by Peter that suffering fiery trials is more valuable than the process of refining gold, since our faith is much more precious than gold. How can faith ever be proven and shine if it is not tested in the fires of life?

To be nice and sweet to a nice and sweet person is no glory at all, it is only a natural response. Likewise, to be nice and sweet when life is very good to us is no glory either. But to be nice and sweet to a difficult person, or in a difficult circumstance, that is far more precious than gold!

The Bible says we are all going to be judged “according to our works.” (Revelation. 20:12,13) Man cannot please God by saying, “I think God’s way is right!”, but not live accordingly. It is one thing to say you believe it, but another thing to practice that truth. Suffering is another name for those situations in life that try our faith to see if it is genuine, or just an act.

No matter how bad or how long suffering on earth may be, it is only a “light affliction which is but for a moment”, as Paul described his many sufferings in 2 Corinthians. 4:17. To patiently endure these trials will bring a “far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory”. The trials of this present life are “not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us”! (Romans 8:18b)

The answer to human suffering lies with the “Man of Sorrows”, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb Slain from the Foundation of the world! Do not allow suffering to be a stumbling block to your spiritual progress to godliness. God has eternal joy for those who patiently endure suffering to reflect the Maker’s image for all to see!