My husband and I had to take our dog to urgent care after work. He was uncharacteristically lethargic, uninterested in his food, and had severe stomach issues. He is a small dog and a senior pup, so dehydration was one of our top concerns.

As we drove to the vet, I watched him settle in on my lap, quiet and resigned. A hundred thoughts ran through my mind: How can one being’s suffering strongly affect those who love him? Why would a creature without blame be prone to suffering? When will this suffering in life finally end?

No one is immune to suffering, and enduring it can cause us to ask questions like those I mentioned previously—and even more: If God is good and He is omnipotent, why does He allow suffering? If I love and follow Jesus, why should I deserve to experience suffering versus an unbeliever who I believe sins worse than I? 

I used to think God was disappointed in me when I asked those questions—or that my faith was in dire jeopardy. After reading the Word and seeking biblical counsel, I came to understand and appreciate that God was big enough to handle my emotions and that I was not alone in my suffering. I also learned a healthier and more biblical view of suffering.

Biblical Understanding of Suffering

Suffering was not part of God’s good, original creation. When sin entered the world, the problem of evil came with it and subsequently, suffering. Since the Fall, all of creation groans to be restored (Romans 8:22), and humanity suffers the consequences of its actions (e.g., Genesis 3:16–19). Pain and death were made normal in our once-perfect world.

Then, God comes down: hope personified. Jesus promises His abundant life and His eternal presence to those who believe in and follow Him. He experienced human suffering so that we may be comforted when we are suffering: “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:4–5, ESV). Ultimately, as the perfect sacrifice for our sins, He endured God’s judgment and wrath upon the cross. Scripture also tells us that Jesus will one day return and do away with suffering once and for all (Revelation 21:4).

While the end of earthly suffering is not yet, the Bible speaks to suffering in a compassionate way. James writes, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2–4, ESV). God uses suffering for a purpose; it is not meaningless.

Purposes of Suffering

So how does God use suffering for His glory? Suffering sanctifies, promotes unity, and draws us closer to God.

As we see in the previous Scripture from James 1, suffering sanctifies—it makes us more like Jesus. It produces in us the fruit of endurance and resilience (Romans 5:3–4). The trials we face humble us, exposing our need for Jesus. Not being in control or comprehending what was wrong with my dog’s health was nerve-wracking, but it also drew me to Christ. I could not alleviate my dog’s pain or help in any immediate way, so I prayed to the One who could. As we depend on and surrender to Jesus, we are given the opportunity to experience and exhibit the grace that our Lord showed in His suffering and, therefore, be a light to others in our pain.

Suffering also promotes unity. When we were at the urgent care, an experienced vet was able to identify why our dog was suffering (a small bout of pancreatitis) and encourage us with the next steps for treatment (temporary nausea medication and long-term reduction of consuming high-fat foods). We experienced God’s grace through another person—we felt heard, understood, and uplifted. Suffering encourages the evangelism of God’s faithfulness, strengthens fellowship with our brothers and sisters, and sobers our minds. We are given a testimony to share with both nonbelievers and believers—a story that points those who are lost to the gospel and edifies our brothers and sisters in the Body. 

Lastly, our suffering brings us closer to God in our walk with Him. We are reminded of Jesus’s suffering—that He can relate to us in our pain. After all, He experienced the worst so that we can experience the best. We grow nearer to Him in such trials as we seek Him for sustenance, guidance, and healing. As we cry out to Him in prayer, He meets our needs and gives us an eternal perspective of our present circumstances.

While suffering is a fact of life while we are here on earth, we can humbly reflect on how God, in His sovereignty, can take the ugliest and hardest parts of our lives and use them, both for our benefit as Christ-followers and for His splendor. In our moments of suffering, let us confidently take the time to rest in and be encouraged in Him.

Author Bio:

Leslie Williams writes with a passion for helping women grow in their knowledge of Scripture and confidence in their faith. She teaches online as an adjunct professor at Liberty University and holds an MDiv in Pastoral Counseling. She is currently a PhD student in the Theological Studies program at Liberty Theological Seminary. In her free time, Leslie enjoys reading, running, and meaningful conversations over coffee.

Additional Resources:

Faith Questions - Suffering		Job Bible Study		When Storms Rage		Gospel Hope in Grief and Loss		Between Grief and Glory | Lamentations Bible Study
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