Recently, we were asked why God would allow his children to experience severe pain. In the course of trying to help the person who asked the question, I asked Frank Johnson if he had any thoughts. Many of you may recognize Frank as the internet strategist behind IreneDias.com, but you probably don’t know that he is also a licensed minister. He has also written on the topic of suffering. I’d like to share his thoughts with you:

Dave:

Some quick thoughts:

1. pain and suffering, if embraced, will result in a greater experience of and dependence upon grace (when Paul talked about his thorn in the flesh and asked that it be removed, God’s response was that His grace was sufficient for Paul).
2. through suffering, we are prepared to comfort others with the comfort we receive from God (2 Corinthians 1:3-7).
3. physical suffering refocuses us on the more important, eternal aspects of life (2 Corinthians 4:7-18)
4. James says blatantly that suffering produces maturity, if we will let it (James 1:2-4 – trials produce endurance and, if we’ll let it, endurance will result in maturity [perfection and completion]).
5. our suffering and the way we respond to it will be the impetus which brings others into relationship with God (Tertullian said that the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church). The salvation of the Philippian jailer and his family in Acts 16 found its roots in the fact that Paul and Silas were worshiping God in the midst of their suffering.
6. those who suffer experience the presence of God in deeper measure (“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” 1 Peter 4:12-14). This article, entitled “The Valley of Weeping”, may be of interest on this point.
7. Hebrews 12:1-13 – God disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness. If we allow ourselves to be trained by suffering, it will yield “the peaceful fruit of righteousness.”
8. in fact, one thing I would recommend for someone who finds himself in the midst of suffering is to read the Book of Hebrews, remembering that it was written to a group of people tempted to turn back to the law because of the sufferings they were experiencing. The overwhelming message of the letter is this – “Do not grow weary! Do not lose heart!”

We hope you find this especially helpful on your journey of faith.

Caminando con Fé

Dave