REASONS FOR SUFFERING

Not all suffering is a result of sin. Job was not guilty of sin when all his losses happened. I am not saying that he was perfect and never sinned, but what I am saying is that he didn't live in sin. He always made offerings to God for the forgiveness of his family and himself. Job 1:5 says, "...Job would purify his children. He would get up early in the morning and offer a burnt offering for each of them. For Job said to himself, 'Perhaps my children have sinned and have cursed God in their hearts.' This was Job's regular practice." During the time of Job, there was a wrong assumption about sin and suffering. Many believed that all suffering comes from sin, including Job's three friends who visited him. Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar argued that Job must have done something wrong, because they believed God only punishes bad people. They believed Job's suffering resulted from God's punishment for secret sin. However, they had a wrong assumption about Job's suffering. God was not punishing Job, but He was testing Job's faith in Him. From chapters 3-31 of the book of Job, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar argued with Job to repent from his sin so that God could restore his life. However, Job defended himself that he was innocent before God. Elihu, who was the fourth friend of Job, argued that suffering is a warning from God to keep people from sin and pride, not always a direct penalty for sin. He still believed that Job had sinned against God and must not think that he was innocent before God. 

There are many reasons we suffer. In Job's story, he was suffering because God was testing his faith. With Jonah, who was swallowed by a big fish, he suffered because of his sin; he was running away from God. There are other reasons why we suffer, and only God knows the reason we suffer. I believe that there will be a day when God will reveal to us the reason for all of our suffering. I remember when I was growing up, I believed that all the bad things that happened to me were the result of God punishing me because of the sin that I had committed. However, when I learned more about God through the Bible, I came to realize that not all my suffering was due to my sin. Some of my suffering has been a result of God testing or strengthening my faith. However, I have also faced suffering that I cannot understand the reason for. I am still waiting for God to reveal the reason to me. I believe it will come one day, whether during my lifetime on this earth or in heaven.  

Job suffered not because of the sin that he committed, but he suffered because God was testing his faith. Although Job did not completely understand the reason for his suffering, He continued to trust God. We must trust God even when He has not revealed to us the reason for our suffering. Someday God will reveal the reasons to us. 

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) What was the reason Job suffered? What must I do if I do not understand the reason for my suffering? Why is trusting in God important when I am going through suffering?

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them up to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, you know everything that is going on in my life. Please help me to trust you, especially when I struggle to understand my suffering. I will draw on your strength to overcome my difficulties. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.