When I speak at high schools, one question I’m frequently asked is, “If God loves us, why do so many people suffer in the world?” In responding to my listeners, I challenge the idea that God best expresses His love to us by giving us things and simply making our lives easy. This inaccurate way of viewing how He operates exists and persists both inside and outside of the church.
So it was with Joseph’s brothers when they saw the favor shown to him by Jacob their father (Genesis 37:3-4). Unwisely, Jacob blatantly doted on his second-youngest son, and his other sons couldn’t help seeing he didn’t love them as much. Since they felt unloved, this brought out a hateful response from them towards the object of their father’s affection (Genesis 37:8).
As this bitterness took root, the men grew so discontented that they treated Joseph ruthlessly—throwing him into a large hole in the ground (Genesis 37:20,23-24). Then they callously sold him to some Midianite traders (Genesis 37:28). This seems shocking—almost impossible to believe. But consider the toxic thoughts and actions that can flow from our own hearts—especially when we begin to believe that others must be loved more by God as we view their lives of ease and blessing. An incorrect view of God’s love can make any one of us bitter toward Him and the perceived objects of His affection.
The key is in understanding that God has revealed the depth of His love for us not through material things, health, or favor, but in Jesus’ sacrifice: “God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners” (Romans 5:8). In Jesus’ suffering, we find purpose for our own pain and we experience the fullness of God’s love revealed.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 12:49-59
More:
Read 1 John 4:7-11 and consider again God’s ultimate sacrifice of love for us.
Next:
How has your faith been swayed by the pain or hardship you’ve faced? How has God’s love for you changed your view of suffering?
BearPair on August 7, 2016 at 1:10 am
You are so right, Russell… as a chronic sufferer of severe pain for most of my 70 years, there have been instances when I have questioned His love for me–that is, questioned BRIEFLY–until once again Scripture lavishly reminds me of the grand, personal & unconditional love He has poured out to ME, and continues to pour out daily. Getting on the wrong end of the binoculars definitely skews our perspective! Thank you for reminding us!
Gary Shultz on August 7, 2016 at 6:20 am
Good to hear from you again Russell. I did not know you were able to get time in a school-teen setting, thank God for your opportunity. Thank God also for a solid response, a good response. Now I must ask, how is that received, what do you read and see on faces when you unpack that perspective? You are right on another point the “give-me” view point is welded throughout all portions of society. As the BearPair said, scripture reminds us of God’s much longer view of a plan for us. He asks us to obey, in obedience and trust we find His strength, allowing us to keep His walk. Thanks Russell.
corgimom on August 7, 2016 at 8:04 am
To be honest, I’m not sure I understand this. My question is not “Why do so many people suffer?” But instead I wonder “Why do THOSE particular people suffer?” Is it just the luck of the draw? Are we supposed to learn something from our suffering or enable others to learn and grow? “In Jesus’ suffering we find purpose for our own pain” seems to indicate that but what is that purpose? This is the dilemma Job and his friends tried to iron out and yet thousands of years later we still don’t understand the purpose of suffering. I totally agree that God is not a Santa Claus who shows his love by showering us with gifts and good fortune but along with Job I want to know what gain my suffering is supposed to have, in particular so that I can actively work to accomplish that end, and not just blindly wander in despair hoping that something good will come of this.
envirotact on August 7, 2016 at 10:29 am
Good morning corgimom. I’d like to recommend a book that has helped me immensely with these questions of suffering that you have brought up in your comments today. Its called “Baffled to Fight Better” by Oswald Chambers. You’ll need a highlighter and a box of tissues.
corgimom on August 7, 2016 at 1:07 pm
Thank you for the recommendation, Envirotact. I have ordered the book and look forward to reading it.
ng on August 10, 2016 at 4:27 am
Sometimes I also have questions. I cling to Romans 8:28
crossman61 on August 7, 2016 at 9:23 am
Thank you Russell you are right about how inaccurate of how most can view how God Blesses His children. Preaching the prosperity Gospel is no gospel at all . I’m not saying He can’t or won’t Bless us , but it should not be our first goal in this world. Our Savior Jesus has to be #1 .