How to Understand Sufferings
John 9:1-3
“As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.”
1 Peter 5:10
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”
In these verses, Jesus saw a man blind from birth. This man was probably around Jesus’ age, as later in the story he could testify to the Pharisees about how Jesus healed his sight.
Being blind for so long, he must’ve suffered a lot. A blind man can’t safely run and can’t find things on his own. His life must have been really hard from the beginning. During those times, being blind was also seen as a curse, and it was apparent that his parents did not show him much care.
He was also a beggar on the street, surviving on his own with no one to take care of him.
His disciples asked Jesus “who sinned?” Asking whose fault it is that he was this way. They believed that this man’s suffering was caused by somebody’s wrongdoing. This way of thinking implies that you are blessed if you are good, and that you are given suffering if you are living a life of sin.
Similarly, when we suffer, we may try to look for something or someone to blame. And we may blame God as well. It’s difficult to answer why suffering exists. However, Christianity never promised a life without problems, but it does show us the way to navigate through our problems. It gives us a perspective on how to handle our issues.
And this is apparent with Jesus’s response: he says it’s not because he or his parents sinned, but that “God might be displayed in him.”
There are 3 causes of our suffering:
1. The first cause is because the enemy is giving us persecution and challenges
There are spiritual forces of evil in this world. Our enemy is trying to take us away from God. But we can rejoice during this, because it shows us that the enemy thinks you are useful and important for God’s kingdom.
If you aren’t being attacked, we should feel ashamed because this implies that the enemy doesn’t see you as a threat.
2. The second cause is a discipline given by God (reference Heb 12:5-11)
God tries to correct us when we sin because he loves us as his children. If God doesn’t do anything when we do wrong, then we can’t really be considered his children. He corrects us because he loves us as our parent.
When this happens, we need to admit our wrongdoings and repent.
3. The third cause is as a trial allowed by God (reference James 1:2-4, Rom 5:2-4)
God gives us trials to train us and help us to grow. During these sufferings, we need to endure.
Being christian doesn’t mean that there will be no problems or pain. These struggles help us to become new creations as God works in us. These struggles help us to develop a relationship of love and trust with our God.
When we suffer, it is an opportunity for God to display his power and glory. The blind man eventually had his eyes healed and could see Jesus. Because of his suffering, he was able to experience a blessing from God. Because of his hardships, he was able to personally meet Jesus.
When the time comes, we will realize why it was necessary. But until then, we need to endure. We can complain and cry out to God, but you don’t have to believe that life is ruined or that God has abandoned you. In the middle of our suffering, God still cares for us. So let’s look to God and put our hopes in him.
Reflection Questions:
How has God spoken to you through this message?
How do you typically respond when you go through suffering?
