BUILDING BLOCKS
for a Transformed Life
Suffering and the Christian Faith
Paul J. Bucknell
Why do people doubt God’s love?
Many unbelievers and believers doubt God’s love because suffering exists. They may assume that God is responsible for evil, but Genesis 1–3 shows that suffering entered the world through human rebellion against God.
Suffering continues for a time because God is working through a fallen world to accomplish a greater good. Had God ended all suffering immediately, none of us would have had the opportunity to live, repent, believe, serve others, or share in His redemptive purposes.
1 Peter 5:8–10
“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you” (1 Peter 5:8–10 NASB).
This passage teaches several important truths about suffering. The evil one seeks to use hardship to weaken and devour our faith, but believers are called to resist him and remain firm. Suffering is shared by God’s people throughout the world, and it is temporary when viewed in light of God’s eternal glory.
If God is loving, why does He allow suffering?
There are many ways to approach this difficult question. We should not oversimplify suffering, but neither should we assume that suffering proves God is unloving. A view of God that expects Him to remove every hardship immediately leaves no room for courage, sacrifice, perseverance, compassion, or redemption.
As a father, I do not want my children to suffer. Yet love sometimes allows temporary difficulty when a greater good is being accomplished. God’s purpose is larger than protecting a small community from every painful experience. He is redeeming people and forming them for eternal glory.
First Peter 5 says that suffering lasts “for a little while.” God’s greater purpose is displayed most clearly in Jesus Christ, who willingly suffered for our sins so that we could be reconciled to God. The cross shows that God is not distant from human suffering. He entered it and used it to accomplish salvation.
God can also use our trials to deepen faith, strengthen character, and equip us to care for others. When seen from eternity, this present era of pain will appear brief. This does not answer every question, but it guards us from accusing the One who loved us enough to suffer for us.
What about you?
Do you doubt God’s love because of suffering? Has hardship weakened your confidence in His character and ways? First Peter 5 calls you to resist the evil one, stand firm in faith, and trust the God of all grace to perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.