When suffering comes upon us, it is difficult to take. The mind feels drained, and the level of motivation is at an all-time low. Maybe the pain is physical and very difficult to endure. A sharp twinge anywhere could leave someone alone in bed, hoping that by some miracle the horrible pain would go away. The last thing that comes to mind is joy. In fact, to think that suffering is a good thing is ludicrous. However, there is undeniable truth in such a relation. If there is one thing I have learned in my life, it is to endure because God does not allow bad things to happen unless they are for our good. As Paul said in Romans 5:1-5, when struggles arrive, we must rejoice, for the Lord is developing us and our characters so that we might get to the position in which we are supposed to be. God is our Father, and He knows what is best for us.
It is no secret that God has a plan for everyone. In order to fulfill His plan, suffering is absolutely necessary because of this “character development” Paul speaks of. Individual experience is gained not only through discipleship and positive experiences, but also negative experiences and suffering. Suffering forces Christians to rely on God. Romans 8:28 says that God uses the bad in our lives for our good. I believe it is up to us, however, how we see that good — a major difference between Christians and non-Christians. For example, on Dr. Phil’s daytime television show, the viewer sees multiple examples of people and families who let struggles ruin their lives. Without God, it is difficult for one to realize that the difficult times are God’s blessings in disguise.
With God, however, a Christian has the ability to endure struggles. God listens to his problems when he prays. As time goes by, God allows His blessings to become known. Here is a situation. A high school junior played on the varsity soccer team. She was well on her way to getting a scholarship and playing in college, but that is not what God had in store for her. He allowed her to get severely injured, and He took away the sport she loved so dearly. When she went back to play after her first recovery, she was injured again, leading to a second and even a third surgery. This is only the surface of her life falling into place. God intricately placed multiple people in this girl’s life — a physical therapist and best friend to encourage her and help her come to know Jesus. Because she came to know Jesus, she realized that there was a reason she couldn’t play soccer anymore — that there was something better for her. Now, she is studying to become a physical therapist so that she may help with the healing process of injuries and share the gospel with her patients.
Before the high school athlete had a personal relationship with God, her entire life revolved around playing soccer. Without soccer, she was broken, but in her brokenness, God pulled the strings to help her find Jesus. She learned about His goodness and His grace. She learned that His plan is real and that the struggles are a part of the road Christians travel. We learn things from struggles that cannot be taught in schools. We learn the truth about the messed-up world we live in, and we apply it to our lives so that we may bring glory to God, for He governs and created this world. It is His creation, and if we stand up against the messed-up forces of this world, we bring Him the glory. Suffering, as terrible as it is, is for our benefit. Suffering makes us better people. Suffering forces Christians to rely on God, and it is through the suffering He provides that we may come to learn more about Him.
