Scripture's Views On Suffering

Suffering is something the majority of people go through at one time in their lives. Whether it be with faith, death, sickness, depression, circumstances, or something else, most people have some sort of trial or difficulty they struggle with. Suffering itself can also be a major stumbling block in many believers’ faith; people who follow Jesus or believe in God wonder why He could allow people faithful to Him to suffer at all. Some have even lost their faith when a difficult trial came their way, believing that God must not exist at all, because He was not interfering. However, Scripture gives us clear instructions on what to do when a trial comes our way, and gives some explanation on why God allows us to suffer.

First, Scripture repeats itself many times on one reason we may go through troubling events-suffering produces many good fruits in us. Romans 5:3-4 (NIV) states that “suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” The Bible tells us numerous times of the result persevering will have in us. It also states in 2 Corinthians 4:17 that our “light and momentary troubles” will in the end get us an eternal glory that outweighs the pain of any trial we could go through. Here, in just these two verses believers can find hope and reasons that God may allow them to suffer-suffering produces perseverance and many other good fruits.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) says, “‘For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”, and Romans 8:28 (NIV) says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him…” Therefore, we can be assured that God only allows us to suffer if it is good for us. And we can also be assured that God can turn any situation into something