Understanding Suffering: Finding Hope in Pain
Summary
Today’s focus is on one of the most difficult and personal questions we can ask: If God is good, why do we suffer? This is not just a philosophical puzzle, but a deeply emotional and personal struggle that every believer faces at some point. The question is not simply “Why is there suffering?” but “Why am I suffering?”—and in those moments, intellectual answers often feel hollow next to the weight of real pain.
To approach this, we explored three perspectives: the philosopher, the pastor, and the friend. Philosophically, we considered five theodicies—ways Christians have tried to understand why a good God allows suffering. The free will theodicy reminds us that God created us for relationship, and real love requires real choice, which means the possibility of choosing wrongly and thus, suffering. The fallen world theodicy points to the brokenness introduced by sin, not just Adam and Eve’s, but our own ongoing choices. The best possible world theodicy suggests that God, in His omniscience and goodness, created the world with the best balance of freedom and goodness possible. The soul-making theodicy teaches that suffering can shape us, forging Christlike character and maturity. Finally, the redemptive suffering theodicy assures us that God can bring good out of even the worst pain, redeeming our suffering for His purposes.
But God’s answer is not just intellectual. He steps into our pain. Jesus, God in the flesh, experienced suffering, betrayal, loss, and death. He knows what it is to hurt, and He walks with us in our pain. His suffering purchased for us an eternal hope—a future where every tear will be wiped away, and pain will be no more. In the meantime, we are invited to run to God, not from Him, in our suffering. Like Asaph in Psalm 73, we may not understand, but in God’s presence, we find strength, perspective, and hope.
Finally, we need friends—people who will simply be present with us in our pain, not offering easy answers, but sharing our burdens. Sometimes, the most Christlike thing we can do is to sit with someone in their suffering, weep with them, and remind them they are not alone.
Key Takeaways
- Suffering is not just an intellectual problem but a deeply personal one. The question of “Why do I suffer?” often cannot be answered by logic alone, because pain is experienced in the heart, not just the mind. Before offering answers, we must feel the weight of the question and acknowledge the reality of our pain. [05:36]
- God’s gift of free will means that love and relationship are possible, but so is suffering. The risk of allowing us to choose is worth it to God, because only in freedom can genuine love and goodness exist. Our choices—and the choices of others—have real consequences, and the brokenness of the world is a result of humanity’s ongoing misuse of that freedom. [12:41]
- Suffering, while never pleasant, can be transformative. If we allow it, pain can produce patience, maturity, and Christlikeness in us. The most Christlike people are often those who have been refined by suffering, not ruined by it; God does not waste our pain, but uses it to shape us for His purposes. [23:40]
- God does not stand apart from our suffering; He steps into it. In Jesus, God experienced the full range of human pain and loss, and so He is able to comfort us with true understanding. Our suffering is not meaningless—Jesus’ suffering brought about our redemption, and He promises a future where all pain will be wiped away. [32:28]
- In seasons of suffering, the most important response is not to run from God, but to run to Him. Like Asaph, we may not understand why we suffer, but in God’s presence we find strength, perspective, and hope. And sometimes, what we need most is not an answer, but a friend who will simply be with us, sharing our burdens and reminding us we are not alone. [41:14]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:28] - Technical Difficulties and Introduction
[02:43] - The Hardest Question: Why Suffering?
[04:47] - Suffering in Scripture: David and Habakkuk
[05:36] - The Personal Nature of Suffering
[07:31] - Three Approaches: Philosopher, Pastor, Friend
[09:19] - The Free Will Theodicy
[12:41] - C.S. Lewis and the Risk of Free Will
[15:14] - The Fallen World Theodicy
[18:35] - The Best Possible World Theodicy
[21:27] - The Soul-Making Theodicy
[24:40] - The Redemptive Suffering Theodicy
[28:12] - God Steps Into Our Pain: The Story of Father Damien
[30:08] - Jesus, Our Suffering Savior
[32:28] - Suffering and Eternal Hope
[35:36] - Suffering: Roadblock or Fork in the Road?
[37:24] - Asaph’s Honest Struggle and God’s Presence
[41:14] - Finding Strength in God’s Presence
[43:21] - The Ministry of Friendship in Suffering
[45:10] - Invitation to Receive Prayer and Friendship
[46:53] - Closing Prayer and Worship
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: If God is Good, Why Do We Suffer?
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### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 73:1-28 (Asaph’s honest struggle with suffering and God’s presence)
2. James 1:2-4 (“Consider it pure joy… when you face trials…”)
3. Romans 8:28 (“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him…”)
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### Observation Questions
1. In Psalm 73, what emotions does Asaph express about his suffering and the prosperity of others? ([37:24])
2. According to James 1:2-4, what is the intended outcome of facing “many kinds of trouble”? ([21:27])
3. In Romans 8:28, what does Paul say God does with “all things” for those who love Him? ([24:40])
4. The sermon described five different “theodicies” or ways Christians have tried to understand suffering. Can you name at least two of them? ([09:19])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Asaph’s perspective changed when he entered God’s presence, even though his circumstances didn’t immediately change? ([38:44])
2. The sermon said that suffering can be “transformative” and produce Christlike character. How does this idea challenge or encourage you? ([23:40])
3. The “free will theodicy” suggests that God allows us to choose, even if it leads to suffering. Why might God value our freedom to choose, even knowing the risks? ([12:41])
4. The sermon mentioned that sometimes what we need most in suffering is not an answer, but a friend. Why is presence sometimes more powerful than words? ([43:21])
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon said that suffering is not just an intellectual problem but a deeply personal one. When you have faced suffering, did you want answers, comfort, or something else? How did you respond? ([05:36])
2. Think about a time when you or someone you know made a choice that led to pain. How does the idea of “free will” help you process that experience? ([12:41])
3. James says that trials can produce patience and maturity if we “let” them. Is there a current struggle in your life where you need to let God use it to grow you? What would that look like? ([22:49])
4. The sermon described how Jesus stepped into our pain and understands suffering. How does knowing that Jesus suffered change the way you approach your own pain? ([32:28])
5. Asaph found strength and hope in God’s presence, even when he didn’t have answers. What are some practical ways you can seek God’s presence in your own season of suffering? ([41:14])
6. The sermon emphasized the importance of friends who simply “sit with us” in our pain. Is there someone in your life who needs you to be that kind of friend right now? What could you do for them this week? ([43:21])
7. The message ended with the idea that God can redeem our pain and use it for good. Can you think of a time when God brought something good out of a painful situation in your life? How might you share that story to encourage someone else? ([24:40])
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Close in prayer, asking God for strength, perspective, and the courage to be present with others in their suffering.
Devotional
Day 1: God Welcomes Our Honest Questions and Pain
Even the heroes of faith cried out to God in their suffering, asking “why” in moments of deep pain and confusion. God is not offended by our honest questions or our struggles to understand suffering; instead, He invites us to bring our raw emotions and doubts to Him. Like David in Psalm 10 and Habakkuk, we can pour out our hearts, knowing that God hears us even when He seems distant. Our questions are not a sign of weak faith, but of a real relationship with a God who can handle our deepest hurts. [04:47]
Psalm 10:1 (ESV)
"Why, O Lord, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?"
Reflection: What is one honest question or pain you’ve been holding back from God? Take a few minutes today to speak it to Him in prayer, trusting that He welcomes your honesty.
Day 2: Suffering Is a Result of Free Will and a Broken World
God created us with the freedom to choose, desiring real relationship and love rather than forced obedience. With this gift of free will came the possibility of choosing wrongly, which introduced sin and brokenness into the world. Our suffering is not always the direct result of our own choices, but it is part of living in a world marred by humanity’s collective turning from God. Yet, even in this, God urges us to choose life, reminding us that our choices matter and that He is always inviting us back to Himself. [15:14]
Galatians 6:7-8 (ESV)
"Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life."
Reflection: Where in your life do you see the consequences of choices—yours or others—leading to pain? How might you choose life and sow to the Spirit in a specific area today?
Day 3: God Redeems Suffering and Brings Good Out of Pain
God does not waste our pain; He is able to bring good even from the darkest moments. While not everything that happens to us is good, God promises to work all things together for the good of those who love Him. Our scars can become stories of hope, and our messes can become ministries that help others. In Christ, suffering is never pointless—He can use it to shape us, to help others, and to reveal His redemptive power. [24:40]
Romans 8:28 (ESV)
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."
Reflection: Think of a painful experience in your life—how might God be inviting you to use that experience to encourage or help someone else today?
Day 4: God Is Present With Us in Our Suffering
God does not stand far off from our pain; in Jesus, He stepped into our suffering and understands it firsthand. He is a merciful and faithful high priest who knows what it is to be betrayed, to grieve, and to hurt. Because of this, He is able to help us in our suffering and promises to be with us, holding our hand and guiding us through even the darkest valleys. We are never alone in our pain—God is our strength and our place of safety. [30:47]
Hebrews 2:17-18 (ESV)
"Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you most need to remember that Jesus is with you and understands your suffering? How can you invite His presence into that place today?
Day 5: The Presence of God and Community Bring Strength in Suffering
When suffering threatens to overwhelm us, the greatest source of strength is drawing near to God and allowing others to walk with us. Like Asaph in Psalm 73, we may not understand our pain, but in God’s presence we find perspective, comfort, and hope. God also calls us to be friends to one another—to weep with those who weep and to offer our presence, not just our answers. In the presence of God and the support of community, we find the strength to persevere and the promise that joy will come again. [41:14]
Psalm 73:23-28 (ESV)
"Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works."
Reflection: Who in your life is suffering right now? How can you be a friend to them today—offering your presence, a listening ear, or a simple act of kindness?
Quotes
But what do we do when we suffer? What do we do with that suffering? Does it cause us to run from God or does it cause us to run to God? That's the fork in the road. From God or to God? You're gonna suffer either way. What are you gonna do with it? [00:36:40] (19 seconds)
There's something coming that's going to make all of the pain and the suffering of this world not even be worth comparing. And so the pastoral truth that I want to give you is that pain and suffering are awful. And it doesn't always make sense, even with our best arguments and our best understanding. But if we will just hold on, if we'll just hold on, in the midst of this broken and painful world, something is coming. God is going to make it right again. [00:35:15] (32 seconds)
Jesus, God in the flesh, stepped into our skin and experienced the suffering that we experience. Hebrews 2 talks about this process. We read it in the Amplified Translation because I love how it expands on some of the Greek words. He says, therefore, it was essential that he had to be made like his brothers, mankind, in every respect, so that he might, by experience, become a merciful and faithful high priest in things related to God. So he's becoming a merciful and faithful high priest for us through experience. What was the experience? Human suffering. [00:30:36] (40 seconds)
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