Suffering for What?

Life outside of Christ is existance without purpose

When Pain Points to Purpose

“I often hear good people struggle to understand—or even believe in—God when they see the suffering in the world. Starvation, abuse, sickness, violence, death… their cry is the same: ‘Can’t God do anything?’”

We’ve all had moments of deep suffering, wondering how a loving God could allow us to endure pain. We’ve felt loneliness, heartbreak, abuse, or the loss of someone we love. As I’ve grown older, my body has begun to fail, bringing sickness and pain. Even as a Christian, I sometimes find myself asking God why He allows this suffering—why my child, or those I love, must endure hardship, and why the world itself seems to groan under pain.

Yet, in the quiet of my soul, God answers. He reminds me that suffering often serves a purpose: to awaken us to something greater. Humanity chose to reject Him, leaving us exposed to sin, death, and the brokenness of this world. By refusing to fully submit to Him, we leave the door open to darkness and its consequences.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” - Romans 6:23

Suffering also points us to a deeper truth: this world is not our home. True home is with Him. One day, if we choose to surrender to God, we will dwell in His Kingdom, where pain and suffering will be no more. We will finally experience the life we were meant to live—free from death and darkness, fully in His presence.
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” - Revelation 21:4

We can complain, we can be angry, but these will not ease the suffering. We can resent God, but that changes nothing. Or we can see the truth: suffering can be a manifestation of God’s love, designed to open our hearts to life and to the promise of His Kingdom. While surrendering may not erase all suffering in this world, it allows us to bring light into the darkness, reflecting a glimpse of God’s heavenly peace to those around us.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” - James 1:2-3

Why does God allow us to suffer?

We suffer because we choose to.

We choose to put our hands in the fire, to walk away from God, and to live in the darkness of this world. Suffering is the natural consequence of sin, just as God warned Adam and Eve when they rejected Him.

The Beauty in Suffering

Yet even in suffering, beauty can be found. A mother gives birth through pain. Our bodies are strengthened when we endure hardship. And in our trials, there is hope—we may be awakened to new life.

If we allow suffering to push us toward God—His will, His rest, His kingdom, His love, and His presence—we finally come home.

The Bible tells us that God Himself is long-suffering. He patiently allows us to live apart from Him, even as it grieves His heart, because of His great love.

But the most beautiful suffering the world has ever seen was that of Jesus. He suffered unto death for our sake, and through His pain the door to eternal life was opened. His suffering erased the depth of our sin, restored us to the Father, and gave us salvation.

Suffering brings death to something in order to give birth to life. The pain we endure is like a narrow door we are forced to pass through. On the other side, we discover the reason for our trials and the treasure they produce. But if we refuse to walk through, we are doomed to repeat the pain for a lifetime.

Summary

  • Suffering is not meaningless; it can awaken us to God’s greater purpose.
  • Humanity's rejection of God exposes us to sin, pain, and death.
  • This world is temporary; true home and eternal peace are with God.
  • Surrender and faith allow us to bring God’s light and peace to the world.
  • Scriptural truths remind us that God’s Kingdom is our ultimate refuge.