Temporary Suffering

Why does God allow suffering?

I'm certain you're familiar with the quote of unknown origin that has done the rounds of every social media site and been printed, painted and embroidered on every imaginable Christian t-shirt and trinket (not to mention some unimaginable ones). Come to think about it there are quite a few quotes that fit the description, but the one I'm referring to goes like this:

"God gives His toughest battles to His strongest soldiers."

Now one could dissect the above mentioned statement at length and list all the reasons why it holds no water — in fact a quick Google search reveals that many have done so already — but by far the more alarming thing is the mentality that latches on to this philosophy as if it is the Gospel. I call it a philosophy because the prevalence of statements like this makes it abundantly clear that Christians today are influenced more by Pins and Posts than the simple truth of God's Word. We're in a dangerous place when what we believe — and consequently how we live — falls neatly into what the mainstream is pumping out. 

Two things I will say about people who take this concept to be true: they don't know real suffering and they don't really know God. Anyone who ever found themselves in the pit of life knows that it is a humbling experience, not an ego booster. And if one claims to have a relationship with God they must base their understanding of His character in the Word, not sentiment. To wear or share this statement you are indirectly saying that you yourself fall into that category called "God's Strongest Soldiers." It is laden with pride; the idea that having suffered more or faced greater adversity you are somehow better than the "rookie sufferers" around you. Take heed dear brother and sister: pride takes many forms, and it always, ALWAYS leads to a fall. When you make the delicacies of self-indulgence your main course, you best believe dessert will be a healthy helping of humble pie! 

On the opposite end of the seesaw we have those whose view of suffering is tainted not so much by human sentiment, but wrong doctrine. The tendency we have as modern Christians is towards a Gospel that has maximum benefits with minimum effort or sacrifice on our part. And so we love the sermons and teachings that promote blessings, favour, health, prosperity, authority and fulfilled promises. We buy the books and share the posts and  sow a seed with anticipation of the open heavens to come, but all without even a passing glance at the virtues the Bible promotes as precious in God's sight. This is a peculiar phenomenon from a biblical viewpoint seeing as the New Testament writings place so much emphasis on the believer's maturity and Godliness, service and humility, holiness and good deeds resulting from salvation. I wonder at times whether my brothers and sisters filling the pews around the world would be shocked to learn that prosperity isn't listed among the fruit of the Spirit. 

The danger of this mentality hits home with the crisis Christians finds themselves in when (and I emphasise when) trouble hits. The resulting conclusions that we make when reality and our theology don't add up does further damage to our already shaky faith. "I must have done something wrong not to earn God's grace," or "Unlike other believers I must not have grasped the full revelation of this thing yet," not to mention "God is not good after all, I did everything He expected and now He's breaking His promise." Here's a promise Jesus gave us before being crucified for our iniquity:

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NIV – emphasis mine)

Strangely enough you don't see this verse on many bumper stickers around town do you? This is not a promise kids learn in Sunday school, nor one we love to quote to each other when we're facing difficulties. But far above the intellect of man, beyond the natural realm of time and space humankind is limited to, stands the Lord whose ways and thoughts are as high above that of man as the heavens are above the earth. (Isa 55) 

Here is a God that is so good that He allows temporary suffering in order that it would lead to permanent (eternal) good. I reiterate: because He is good He let's us taste and see just how bad everything else is and how ignorant we are to choose anything other than Him. How many people haven't come to salvation as a direct result of hardship? How many haven't abandoned their stubborn rebellion and called out to God in desperation? How many haven't come to realise the futility of their human attempts at greatness and significance having lost the very thing that made them great in their own eyes? Nebuchadnezzar II would be a prime example. The book of Daniel chapter 4 records the largely unknown account of the great Babylonian emperor's pride, downfall and subsequent conversion to faith in the God of the Hebrews. It starts with a mysterious dream he had that no-one except Daniel could interpret. Though the dream came as a warning of the affliction that would follow should the king not turn to the Living God, Nebuchadnezzar ignored the words of Daniel and consequently lost his mind. Twelve months later the king became insane and as a result was kept in an enclosure like a wild animal. For seven years the once great king Nebuchadnezzar ate grass like an ox and lived like a beast of the field. For all the power, fame and riches he had amassed here was a raving, broken man deprived of even the basic mental faculties required to  cut his hair and trim his nails. (Dan 4:33) But was his suffering in vain? Far from it: 

“At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.” (Daniel 4:34, 37 – emphasis mine)

Nebuchadnezzar was restored to his former position of kingship — which is a miracle in itself, in my opinion — but as a result of what he went through, i.e. because of suffering, he was a changed man. 

What of the apostles? I'm sure you would have heard about the suffering and violent deaths of that original band of believers Jesus entrusted with the task of initiating the church? Peter, for example, was crucified upside-down. Paul and Matthew were beheaded. Phillip, Andrew, Nathanael and Mathias were crucified after enduring various forms of torture. Thomas (renowned for his doubt at Jesus resurrection) was impaled with pine spears, tortured with red-hot plates and eventually burned alive. What makes their martyrdom so astounding is that these men counted it a privilege to suffer for the sake of their Saviour and the Gospel. And again their suffering was not in vain. Apart from the promised reward that awaited them in heaven, millions have been touched and encouraged throughout the ages by their testimonies of faith and endurance in Christ. In 45AD in the face of certain death, James the brother of John had such steadfast faith that the man charged with executing him accepted the Lord as his personal saviour and died by the sword with him that very same day. 

We are familiar with the Lord's promise that He'll work all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called to His purposes. (Rom 8:28) But sometimes I think we disagree somewhat with God on what we deem to be "good". Is it good when your family is experiencing lack in finances? No. But being in a state of total dependence upon God is fertile soil for faith to grow and His faithfulness to be revealed. Is it good that we experience pain and disease in our physical bodies? Definitely not. But how else would we know that our God has power and authority over sickness? It's a matter of perspective you see. Although we are utterly unable to fathom that any good could come from our present suffering God is working towards a purpose that has been determined by Him before the creation of the world. He is simultaneously with us in our moment of trail and in the outcome — hopefully an outcome that is in alignment with His will!

The New Testament writings have much to say about this topic, much more than can be adequately mentioned here. In Romans 5:3-4 for instance Paul declares that our suffering produces endurance, that by enduring our character is developed, and that out of that character we have hope. God is more concerned with our character than our comfort. But in closing, one of my favourites:

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18)

Why allow suffering? We are being shaped, we are learning and maturing for His glory. And the unshakeable truth that stands through all our trails and troubles is simply this: God is good. 

Bless you

Ibarto Botes