Start Here
Image of the speaker with the quote: "Nothing really good happens in our lives with some level of suffering."

Suffering: A Biblical Perspective for Finding Purpose in It

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest
Email

Finding Purpose in Suffering: A Biblical Perspective

“Nothing really good happens in our lives without some level of suffering.” — James Long, Jr.

Suffering is a universal experience. Whether it’s emotional, physical, or spiritual, everyone encounters moments of hardship. While it may be tempting to view suffering as an unwelcome interruption to our lives, the Bible teaches that suffering often serves a deeper purpose. It is through these trials that God shapes us, grows us, and reveals His greater plan for our lives.

The Reality of Suffering

Pain and suffering are part of living in a fallen world. Ever since sin entered creation, humanity has been subject to its consequences. Yet, even in the midst of pain, Scripture assures us that God is sovereign and purposeful. Romans 8:28 reminds us, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.”

This verse doesn’t promise a life free from suffering but assures us that God can use even the darkest moments to accomplish something good.

How Suffering Brings Growth

  1. Suffering Develops Character
    Trials refine us, much like fire purifies gold. James 1:2-4 says, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” Through suffering, we develop endurance, patience, and a deeper reliance on God.
  2. Suffering Draws Us Closer to God
    When life is comfortable, it’s easy to rely on ourselves. But suffering reminds us of our dependence on God. Psalm 34:18 declares, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” In moments of pain, we often experience God’s presence and comfort in profound ways.
  3. Suffering Produces Compassion
    Walking through suffering allows us to empathize with others who face similar struggles. As 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 says, “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 ourselves are comforted by God.” Our pain equips us to encourage and support others.
  4. Suffering Redirects Our Focus
    Hardship often forces us to reevaluate our priorities. Are we living for temporary pleasures or eternal treasures? As 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 reminds us, “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” Suffering helps us fix our eyes on what truly matters.

Trusting God in the Midst of Suffering

It can be difficult to see God’s hand at work during seasons of suffering, but His Word assures us that He is faithful. Isaiah 41:10 encourages us with these words: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Even when we don’t understand the purpose of our pain, we can trust that God is with us.

Finding Hope in Christ’s Suffering

The ultimate example of suffering with purpose is found in Jesus Christ. He endured unimaginable pain and humiliation on the cross, not for His own sake, but for ours. Hebrews 12:2 urges us to look to Jesus, “the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Christ’s suffering brought about our redemption and reminds us that our pain is never without purpose.

Practical Steps for Navigating Trials and Troubles

  1. Pray Honestly
    Bring your pain and questions to God. The Psalms are filled with examples of raw, heartfelt prayers that model how to seek God in the midst of suffering.
  2. Stay Rooted in God’s Word
    Scripture offers hope and perspective during difficult times. Verses like Romans 8:18 (“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us”) can provide comfort and strength.
  3. Seek Community
    Surround yourself with fellow believers who can pray for you, encourage you, and remind you of God’s promises. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, “Two are better than one… For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow.”
  4. Remember God’s Faithfulness
    Reflect on times when God has brought you through past difficulties. Let His faithfulness in the past give you confidence for the future.

Closing Thought

While suffering is never easy, it is not without purpose. God uses our pain to shape us, draw us closer to Him, and prepare us for greater things. When we trust in His plan and lean on His strength, we can face trials with hope and confidence.

If you’re walking through a season of suffering, know that you are not alone. God sees you, loves you, and is working for your good. For more resources on navigating life’s challenges, visit JamesLongJr.org.

#LessonsForLife #PurposeInPain #FaithInTrials #GodsPlan #OvercomingSuffering

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest
Email

Related

Facebook Twitter Youtube

Get Updates

Gratitude journal

When was the last time someone said thank you to you? When was the last time you said thank you to someone else? So many people today struggle with a lack of thankfulness and ingratitude. This leads to struggles with complaining, criticizing, and comparing. Gratitude and thankfulness provide a powerful remedy for these problems. This gratitude journal helps us to identify what we should be grateful for and what we do as a result of seeing life as a gift.

God's grace prayer journal

Do you struggle with applying the truth that you learn during your study of God’s word? This God’s grace prayer journal will allow you to focus on gratitude and live in contentment in life. The journal pages encourage you to observe what you are learning from the Bible text, evaluate how you have failed to live according to the truths stated, seek forgiveness, and develop godly plans for change.

Giving hope

Do you struggle with the lack of hope? Do you find yourself struggling with doubt and insecurity during times of great challenge? During those times, you need to find your rest and assurance in pondering, personalizing, praying, and practicing what God’s Word says. In the short devotional, spend time meditating and studying each of these passages. Write down whatever comes to mind in the spaces below. And let God speak to you.

Discovering Godly patterns

One of the keys to growing in Christlikeness in our lives is to unearth and discover, and biblically evaluate our thinking patterns, speaking, and acting. This worksheet will help you be honest and specific about areas in your life that are not meeting biblical standards in thinking, speaking, and acting.

Counseling review journal

The God who began a good work in you will continue it through your lifetime and will finish it when we meet him face-to-face. God works for us, and God works in us. He enables us to become more like Christ every single day. This work is progressive and continual in this life. This worksheet helps us review and evaluate gains made during counseling and discipleship, show gratitude to God for what he has done, and develop plans for future growth and change.

Conflict review worksheet

There probably is not a day that goes by that we do not have some level of conflict with others. This worksheet helps us focus on the problem and not the person. It helps us evaluate how we have handled a dispute and how we should deal with it moving forward.

Bible study notes sheet

Do you ever struggle with doing a Bible study or journaling the key ideas from your reading? This Bible Study Note Sheet will encourage you to ponder and meditate on Scripture. Also, God’s Word is meant for you, so this worksheet will help you personalize what you are learning. It will also guide you in learning to pray God’s Word, and finally, it will encourage you to put into practice the principles and promises you find in reading the Word of God.

Anger journal

Anger is a significant issue for so many people. People often stuff or spew their anger, but very few learn to study their anger. This journal assignment will help you to do just that. It will help you understand, evaluate, and respond to your anger in better ways.

4 Steps to rethinking a problem

Do you ever find yourself getting overwhelmed with problems? Do you find yourself struggling with thinking clearly during a challenging situation? This four-step approach to rethinking a problem will help.

4P problem-solving approach worksheet

Problems can seem overwhelming. When we are in the midst of a significant crisis, many of us struggle with defining the problem and implementing helpful solutions. This worksheet helps us to identify three unbiblical and unproductive ways of handling problems. It also encourages us to destroy problems, not people, as we deal with issues in a biblical and God-honoring way.