Why do people suffer? Is it always because of sin in their lives?

Many people feel that this is the case, but that is not necessarily true. A question about sin and suffering was asked by Jesus’ disciples, who, upon encountering a blind man, asked the Lord:

“…Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?” John 9:2.

Jesus’ answer was, “Neither.” It was necessary, rather, to minister to this man, manifesting the work of God in him by healing him of his blindness.

Job’s friends certainly felt it was because of sin. Take, for example, the words of Bildad the Shuhite, who said to Job about God:

“If thou wert pure and upright, surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous. Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase,” Job 8:6-7.

Job’s other friends echoed this sentiment through most of their discourses, that somehow Job’s sin was responsible for his misfortune. In Job’s case, this was not true, as was shown by God’s words to Eliphaz the Temanite at the conclusion of the book:

“…My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends; for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath,” Job 42:7.

Why, then, is there suffering? While it is not possible to know the entire mind of God on this or, for that matter, any subject (Romans 11:33), we can suggest several observations based on Scripture:

1. Punishment – As we have mentioned, not all suffering is a result of a person’s wrongdoing, but some of it certainly is. The Bible gives us the principle that what a man sows, so shall he reap (Galatians 6:7). Sometimes, there is a direct cause and effect in this area. For instance, those who abuse their bodies stand a high risk of contracting an illness based on the harm in which they indulge. Those who commit crimes against the government, which God has said is in place for society’s benefit (Romans 13:1-7), will likely be punished by the government.

2. Discipline – As members of God’s family, we can come under His discipline (Hebrews 12:5-11). This may or may not be the result of sin. It may simply be an effort on God’s part to refocus our priorities on Him, as we are so prone to wander away to other sources of fulfillment. Disciplinary suffering can produce in us a transforming effect to make us more Christ-like by producing in us those qualities that would make us conform to Him. These include patience (James 1:2-4) and faithfulness (1 Peter 1:6-9), among others. The goal here is to bring us into a closer relationship with the Lord, as we learn to trust and depend upon Him.

3. Testimony – Sometimes we suffer simply because we are Christians. Suffering for this reason was quite prevalent in the early Church and still is in many places in the world today. Even here in some areas of the U.S., some are losing freedoms once had to publicly honor God and exhort others to do the same. When we suffer for this reason, and do so patiently, it can have a positive effect on others, even our enemies, that would cause them to ask about the reason for the hope that is in us (1 Peter 3:15). An ancient Church father once observed, “The blood of the martyrs was the seed of the Church.” When people saw Christians suffer and die for their faith, it drew people to Christ rather than repelling them.

When we suffer – for one of these reasons, for another reason, or even if we do not know the reason – we are to remain faithful to God and trust Him under all circumstances. We must remember the “big picture” that God has for us as Christians, that we have a hope that the world does not. The eternal home that God has prepared for us will make the obstacles that we may encounter between here and there fade into insignificance:

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him,” 1 Corinthians 2:9.