GOD WORKS ALL THINGS FOR GOOD

In all things [including suffering] God works for the good of those who love him, who^[a] have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28; Colossians 1:16).

GOD USED SUFFERING FOR THE GOOD OF ADAM AND EVE BECAUSE HE LOVED THEM

Because of their sin of disobedience in the Garden of Eden: God told Eve “I will make your pains in childbearing very severe” and your husband “will rule over you.” And to Adam the Lord said, “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life” (Genesis 3:16-17).

However, because of his love, “the Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them” (Genesis 3:21). This clothing may allude to the covering of the sacrificial blood of the Lamb of God on the cross, “who was slain from the creation of the world” (Revelation 13:8; Hebrews 9:22).

GOD USED SUFFERING TO BRING JOB INTO A CLOSER RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.

In the book of Job in the Bible: The Lord God tells us there was a man named Job who was “blameless and upright;” but God let Satan or the devil test Job’s love and faithfulness to God. He permitted Satan to destroy all of Job’s possessions and kill his children.  

Then the Lord allowed the devil to “afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head.” His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” But he replied, “You are talking like a foolish^[b] woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”

Job continued to maintain his integrity even when three of his friends said his troubles were a result of something he had done wrong.

In his great anguish, Job questioned God. The Lord said to Job with compassion and understanding, “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him!” Then Job respectfully answered the Lord: “I am unworthy—how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth. I spoke once, but I have no answer—twice, but I will say no more.”

Job decided, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” “And all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.”

Despite God allowing him to be persecuted by the devil and falsely accused by others. Job’s suffering resulted in his growing in his relationship with God; and in his love others, like his accusers whom he prayed for and forgave. And “The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part”—including riches and children. 

GOD EVEN ALLOWED HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON JESUS TO SUFFER FOR OUR GOOD AND GOD’S GLORY.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

“Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?” (Romans 8:32).

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)