GOD HELPS US WITH SUFFERING 

Why do we suffer? What help might God give us who suffer? God answers our questions in the Bible.

BEGINNING OF MANKIND’S SUFFERING AND GOD’S PROMISE OF HELP

• God told Adam and Eve not to eat from one of many trees in the Garden of Eden lest they die. They disobeyed God and ate from the forbidden tree and received God’s curse of death (Genesis 3).  Their sin of disobedience hindered their communication with the heavenly Father;  immediately they died spiritually (Ephesians 2:1; 1 Timothy 5:6); and physically death followed. 
• Separation from God and the paradise of Eden that God created caused Adam and Eve to experience guilt and pain of conscience, and to suffer in different ways throughout their lives.
•   However, God had a plan to redeem mankind to God. God promised that the seed or descendant of the woman would defeat or bruise the head of the serpent (the devil) who deceived Eve and Adam into disobeying God (Genesis 3:13-15; 2 Corinthians 5:19; Colossians 2:15).

INHERITANCE OF SIN, CURSE AND SUFFERING 

• The tendency to disobey God, and the curse of sin passed on to the children of Adam and Eve. Cain, the eldest son of Adam and Eve, killed his brother Abel. God severely punished Cain. Adam and Eve suffered as parents, when one son was killed and the other son was punished as a murderer (Genesis 4:1-8).
• All people descending from Adam and Eve, the parents of mankind, inherited their sinful nature and curse (Romans 3:23; 1 Corinthians 15:22).
• Many people who are now physically alive, may not acknowledge that they are spiritually dead–due to their sins having separated them from God–so that they have no fellowship with him (Isaiah 59:2).

GOD USES SUFFERING TO TURN SOME TO GOD 

• God sent Israel into captivity in Babylon because of their sinning.  But He freed them after they repented and turned to Him.
• God said, if my people would humble themselves and pray and turn from their wicked ways, then will I forgive their sins and heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).
• God told the people of Nineveh He was going to destroy them because of their iniquities.  But when they repented, fasted and prayed God did not destroy them.
• People with all kinds of diseases and sufferings came to Jesus to be healed, and he healed them (Matthew 4:23; Luke 4:40).

GOD PERMITS SUFFERING TO STRENGTH OUR FAITH

• God permitted Satan to test Job’s faith in God.  Satan was permitted to take away all of Job’s possessions and his children. His wife abandoned him and his friends failed to support him in his troubles. And the devil added to Job’s sorrows by causing his body to be covered with festering sores.  Job bored much loss and pain. However, Job said, “Though He[God] slay me, yet will I trust him” and “all of the days of my appointed time I will wait till my change come” (Job).

• God allowed the Apostle Paul, to be an example of much suffering for the brethren.  He remained faithful to the Lord although he was imprisoned, beaten with rods, stoned, shipwrecked… (2 Corinthians 11:23-30; Philippians 3:17).
• Paul said, all who will live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer (2 Timothy 3:12)

• Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was stoned to death for being faithful to Jesus Christ. He called on the Lord, and the Lord received his spirit into heaven (Acts 7:51-60).
• The Apostle Peter said, do not be surprised at the fiery trial which is to try you…in as much as you are partakers in Christ suffering, you may glad with exceeding joy at his appearance ( 1Peter 4:12-13).

GOD ACCOMPLISHED MANKIND’S REDEMPTION BY CHRIST’S SUFFERING

• God provided his sinless Son as the sacrificial atonement for our sins. He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities, and the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed (Isaiah 53:5)
• God so love the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16)
• Christ suffered for us leaving the perfect example that we should follow in taking up our own cross and following him (1 Peter 2:21; Matthew 16:24).

GOD PROVIDES US A HEAVENLY MEDIATOR AND A DIVINE HELPER

• Because Jesus suffered and was tempted in all ways, just as we are, but without sinning, he can empathize with us.
• The Bible tells us to come confidently before God’s throne of grace in the time of need, because we have a merciful Lord and mediator who understands our sufferings and our needs (Hebrews 4:15-16; 1 Timothy 2:5).
• When we have repented and accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, God sends the Holy Spirit as our comforter and helper to enable us to deal with our sufferings and needs (John 14:16). 
• God is in the process of conformed us, who have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, into the likeness of his only begotten Son; and preparing us to live forever in heavenly paradise with God (Romans 8:29; John 14:2-3).