Where Is God in Suffering?
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All of us face some form of suffering. It could be the loss of a job, heading to prison, a family member being sick or passing, or a physical injury – all of us suffer at some point. In fact, we face situations that cause us to suffer hundreds of times in our lifetime.
All of us understand that suffering will occur in our lives, but that does not make it any easier. Suffering will lead most to turn to God, with one of two primary responses, either to cry out to God for help or to lash out at Him for not removing or fixing the issue.
How have you reacted to suffering in your life?
Most of us know about suffering but we are not very good at helping others when they are undergoing it. Often people will say cliches like “It will pass” or “I understand how you feel.”
Have you heard those kinds of things during your time of suffering?
What kinds of things that others said helped you during your struggles? What kinds of things were of no help at all?
God Is There
Jesus came to earth as a man, casting aside his deity so that He could fully understand exactly how it felt to be a human being. He understands our frailties and temptations.
God does more than just understand our struggles. Romans 15:13 reads:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
God does not expect us to endure suffering on our own. The Holy Spirit also gives us power so that we can have hope through our challenges.
During your struggles do you feel like God is there for you?
If so, how do you feel His presence?
Do you find that you often feel like you are alone to endure the struggle on your own?
The biggest challenge Christians face is knowing that God is there when they are struggling. Instead of looking at God during the struggle and seeking His guidance, we see the struggle first. It dominates our thinking.
Do you find it hard to see God in your struggles?
What makes struggles more difficult is that many of your friends and family don’t really understand how to advise you during your struggles. They give you comments like “It will be ok” or “You are strong; I know you can make it.”
These things are often of no use at all. They are trying to make you feel like they understand your struggles, but they don’t know how to help you because they have often faced the same situation, and no one was able to assist them. They are repeating the same types of things that people said to them.
Can you think of some of the things that people have tried to say to you during your suffering? Did it help you at all.
God Wants You to Know He Is There
God completely understands your suffering. Best of all, He joins you in that suffering. He also gives you a real way to focus on your sorrow. In Job 2:13, Job had lost his children, his livelihood, and he was afflicted with boils and sores. His friends know He is suffering, but they did not come and try to console him with shallow words. Instead, the Bible says that they sat on the ground with him for seven days with no one saying a word. They simply were there for Job.
This is what God does for us. When tragedy happens, we often turn to Him in anger, but we do not feel like God is answering us. You may have felt that way, and the truth is that God did not abandon you. Instead, He is just sitting at your side, silently mourning with you.
Why do you think that God would not answer you right away when you face a tragedy?
The truth is that you may not be ready to hear God’s answer. He knows that, so He is just silent. It is not that He is calloused. It is because He understands that you are not ready to know His thoughts and reasons. In fact, He may know that you are not ready to hear for weeks, months, maybe even years, so He does not provide an answer for you at all.
When you have faced tragedy, were you really ready to hear God’s reason for what happened?
He Is Still There!
In the upcoming weeks, we will study more on the idea that God is there for you in all circumstances. No matter what struggles or tragedy you may endure, God is right next to you, loving and holding you.
You may not see God in your tragedy, but would it help you to know that He is there for you?
God not only is there for you, but is willing to endure all the anger, hate, frustration, sadness, and whatever other feelings you have. In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus told His followers, “28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
He is saying that when you are crushed, outraged, and completely beaten, maybe even done with life, Jesus is there. He is willing to hear all your anger, your foul words, your vile talk, and your hateful words. He is willing to hear it all because He is gentle and wants to give you rest for your soul.
Most important, He wants you to come to Him during suffering so He can give you rest. Are there things you want to say to God about how angry or sad you are about suffering you have endured? Let’s share those with one another and with Him, looking for Him to bring us rest.
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