Exploring Biblical Perspectives of Suffering

This post is the third in Nothing Good About Grief Series. 

Refer to my first post in the series, where I introduce the subject. And then read the second, where I navigate psychological shock and grief. Now in this post, we discuss the stage of suffering and grief.

You may not experience these stages as shown in my book Nothing Good About Grief book available at Amazon. You may go through one stage of two or none of them. However, I have included these as a guide only. You may recognize in yourself some of these feelings. And in recognizing them, finding help and healing. Let’s look now at suffering.

We cannot ignore the complexity and individuality of the suffering experience. Yet, one general thing with grief is that it carries suffering. Your personal view on suffering will determine how you handle that suffering. It depends on you we use it and how we absorb it into the totality of our nature and behaviour.

The Oxford Dictionary defines suffering as ‘the experience of pain, distress, or hardship’.

Sadly, many significantly suffering people often emerge with a chip on their shoulder. And that’s no way to live; it’s not living at all. Instead, we want to promote victorious living. We what to promote the undying hope of life everlasting in our suffering world.

The Causes of Suffering

Harry Alan HaHne, (2010) Writes:

“The concept of suffering is a fundamental part of the human experience, and its meaning has been explored throughout history. Suffering is what it means to be part of creation. All creation is suffering under the weight of sin. The sins of humans and fallen angels have defiled the earth and caused some aspects of nature not to operate as God originally intended. God holds humans and fallen angels accountable for their sins against the earth and animals. Nature is a victim of human and angelic sin and cries out in suffering, and in the coming new age, the natural world will be redeemed and transformed into a state of great glory.2 In Romans 8:19–23, the Apostle Paul reflects an apocalyptic perspective similar to this stream of Jewish apocalypses.”

In Biblical perspectives, the experience of suffering holds a profound significance. Suffering can offer insight into humanity’s relationship with a higher power. It can help us to make sense of our trials and tribulations. If we view suffering this way, we have the potential for personal growth in the face of adversity.

Personal Growth and Suffering

The Bible presents suffering because of the world’s fallen state. We suffer because of sin. Its origins are found in the disobedience of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

This biblical understanding acknowledges that suffering is inherent to the human condition. It’s in our DNA. This affects individuals at our core and at various points in their lives. However, it also emphasises that suffering is not without purpose.

According to biblical teachings, suffering can motivate spiritual growth, fostering humility, empathy, and dependence on God.

The book of James states, “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, NIV).

For James, suffering allows believers to develop their character and deepen their trust in God’s plan.

Faith and Suffering

The Bible also offers examples of individuals who have endured great suffering, such as Job and Jesus Christ. Job’s story emphasises the importance of maintaining faith amid trials, illustrating that God’s presence and sovereignty remain steadfast despite immense suffering.

Similarly, the crucifixion of Jesus represents the ultimate sacrifice and suffering, serving as a source of redemption and hope for all humankind.

Meaning and Suffering

Ultimately, biblical perspectives on suffering emphasise that while it may be painful and challenging, it is not meaningless. Suffering can be an avenue for spiritual growth by identifying with the suffering of Christ. This is an opportunity to use our suffering in compassion towards others. In embracing these perspectives, believers find solace, strength, and hope during life’s trials and tribulations.

How Suffering Affects Us

We suffer when our hearts ache for the lost loved one; we also suffer in our minds. Sometimes we suffer from constant, darting thoughts that we seem unable to control.

We can suffer physically, feeling aches and pains with no energy. Our immune system can be compromised, so we become suspensible to illnesses. Our suffering is reflected in our faces, voice, posture, and reactions to everyday situations.

Loneliness and Suffering

I have experienced deep loneliness in suffering. I felt that I was living in an alternate universe or the matrix. I felt very alone. 

Perhaps you feel so alone and may feel everything is happening around you. You are the observant, it’s not part of it, and most disturbingly, you cannot be a part of it.

This is almost a disembodied feeling. It isn’t very good! Don’t be frightened if you have experienced this; this is normal. It may seem unusual to you to feel this way, but the truth is that you are not alone in this. Many people suffer but keep it to themselves. Not talking about it makes the suffering in that dark valley even more lonely.

Healing and Suffering

We all want to be healed from the effects of suffering, don’t we? We do not want to feel wretched any more. We want healing and happiness once again.

To heal…

• We must first understand our suffering.
• We must recognise it, acknowledge it and make peace with it.
• We Must believe that we can find a way through it.
• We must believe that our suffering can lead to eventual good.

Artists understand this principle. How often have you heard someone say, ‘I can only write hit songs when I’m sad and hurt. ‘My best paintings are produced in times of intense suffering.’ I’m sure you have come across this and maybe have yet to take much notice of it, but there is an underlying truth here.

So instead of running away from suffering or burying it deep within, it can become a tool for your good.

How can Suffering be a Tool for Good?

Jesus showed that suffering can be a tool for good when on his cross. Jesus’ suffering wasn’t for nothing. Suffering never is.

To make sense of suffering, we need to adopt a different attitude to suffering. Instead of something abhorrent, we need to see it as constructive in some way. We find this different way of seeing in the book of Philippines 3:10 (KJV) written by the apostle Paul, we read ‘That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.’

What does this verse mean? Both the apostle Paul and the early church Fathers knew that living for Christ included sharing in the joys and struggles of Christ. This sometimes means suffering.

The apostle Paul endured much hardship despite his faithful life. Paul said that serving Christ means metaphorically mimicking Christ in His death. This means to live our lives sacrificially for the cause of Christ. Some see the idea of martyrdom in this verse. However, I think the real focus should be on becoming “like him” in death, not the method of death, but the death of self, of the ego so that we can serve more effectively.

The Ego and Suffering

The apostle Paul wants to die to his sinful nature/ego and sin and temptation. In doing this, he is metaphorically mimicking Christ in his death. Paul wants to be fully transformed to become like Christ. And he encourages us to do likewise. This way of the cross or carrying our cross is the way to true life, deep joy and happiness.

This concept of suffering is alien to the popular culture we live in.

Popular culture wants us to concentrate on pleasure while rejecting pain or suffering.

But seeing this differently helps us understand that nothing is wasted. Everything we experience has a reason, so we learn and grow from all experiences, good and bad, Romans 8:28.

The biblical view on suffering is outlined by Philippines 3:10, which points out that being a Christian means accepting the battlefield. To be a follower of Christ means to mimic Christ’s death and resurrection of Jesus Christ metaphorically. In so doing, we will experience death and resurrection to everlasting life.

Compassion and Suffering

In our suffering, we are to extend compassion and support to those who suffer. Jesus did this in his ministry when he ministered to the marginalised, the sick, and the afflicted. Jesus taught his followers the importance of compassion and mercy.

The apostle Paul writes, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we are comforted by God” (2 Corinthians 1:3–4, ESV).

To the degree that enables us to be open to our pain enables us to be open to the pain of others.

If we can stay present with our pain, we come to see pain as something that can transform us. We no longer see it as something to escape from at any cost. So, we are increasingly more able to be there for others, even in seemingly impossible situations.

Faith in Action

James said that faith without action is dead. Faith is a verb. It’s a doing word. So if we have faith in God through Christ, this will be shown through our benevolent actions. Right through the Bible, we find teachings encouraging us to extend compassion and support to those who suffer.

James 2:14–26. 17 So, it isn’t enough to have faith. You must also do good to prove that you have it. Faith that doesn’t show itself by good works is no faith; it is dead and useless.

Jesus’ ministry was characterised by his love and obedience to the Father, which became evident when he healed the marginalised, the sick, and the afflicted. Jesus taught his followers the importance of doing the same.

Are You Suffering?

If you are suffering at the moment, take heart. The apostle Paul writes, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we are comforted by God” (2 Corinthians 1:3–4, ESV).

Reach out to God through Christ for comfort like no other.

Finally, if we do not allow God to transform our pain into something beautiful, we will most assuredly transmit the ungodliness of it to others. We will transmit negativity to those closest to us, like our family, neighbours, co-workers, and invariably, the most vulnerable. So here is an excellent reason to move forward into healing: We want to transmit love to others. We want to promote victorious living and undying hope of life everlasting into our suffering world.

Thank you for reading to the end. For more articles, visit, Your Wellness Matters. www.paularoseparish.com. We collect Donations for Welsh Women’s Aid. If you wish to donate, click HERE.

I have worked internationally with over 40 years of experience, having a Bachelor of Pastoral Counselling and Theology and a Master of Arts in Counselling & Professional Development. BACP Life Coaching Certificate. I currently work as a Christian educator, blogger, author, and grandmother living with my two dogs in Wales, UK.

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