Throughout history, Christians and non-Christians alike have repeatedly asked this question. All kinds of afflicted people ask it, and numerous skeptics use the subject to attack God and His Word. Thankfully, the Bible provides multifaceted answers in both testaments. For believers, suffering is never pointless.
First, suffering is circumstantial. Mankind and the world were created good. Because of sin and the Fall they are no longer so (Gen. 3:10-19). Sickness and death are universally present around the globe, and humans are corrupted and bent towards lawless behavior (Rom. 1:18; 3:9-23; 5:12). In its origin and continuance, suffering is a human problem, for we all contribute to the moral malaise on this planet. Nonetheless, God will one day judge all evil and replace the current scene with “new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Pet. 3:13).
Second, suffering is used in God’s fatherly discipline. “Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Heb. 12:11).
It’s function is:
- Preventive: Divine chastening preserves us from falling into sin by driving us to the Lord; it teaches dependence on the Almighty for victory over temptation (Matt. 6:13; 1 Cor. 10:12-14).
“And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Cor. 12:7-9). - Corrective: God’s discipline teaches us that the transgressor’s pathway is hard and leads to destruction. Sin’s fruit may begin with sweetness, but its end is bitter. “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word” (Ps. 119:67).
- Constructive: The Lord uses trials and suffering to develop godly character, thereby preparing us for eternal glory. “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor. 4:17-18).
Third, suffering’s duration is temporal, not eternal. “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18). God’s work of new creation far exceeds the troubles that we have endured during our sojourn in this fallen world. Present trials are finite: they are limited in scope and duration. Moreover, God is providentially using them all to conform us to Christ’s image (Rom. 8:28-39).
Finally, believers never go through suffering without resources. The Son of God is our sympathetic High Priest and is perfectly suited to minister to us in our pain (Heb. 4:14-16). He was comprehensively tested in every way and triumphed over every type of opposition. He was faithful in every tribulation and knows how to strengthen and uphold us in every difficulty. He gives His Word to console and instruct us, His Spirit to help our inner man, and His throne of grace for us to cast all of our care on Him in prayer. Above all, He promises to be with us every step of the way (Heb. 13:5-6).