Why DOES God let us suffer? Why doesn’t He spare us? Why must we grieve and feel lonely and hurt and disappointed? Why do we have physical pain? Why do we go through death, whether it is quick and horrifying, or a decades-long odyssey through ever-worsening illnesses?
I believe God DOES spare us many pains. He loves you and hates to see you suffer. But He allows a little suffering so it will refine us, making us more like Him. Suffering takes our eyes off ourselves, gives us compassion for others, and makes our hearts long for our REAL home—our heavenly home. Suffering makes us more like Christ.
And though He does not remove ALL suffering, I believe He JOINS US in our suffering. Isaiah writes that “in all our suffering, He suffers.” He suffers with you. He hurts with you! Whatever you go through, Jesus has been through worse.
“IN ALL THEIR SUFFERING, HE SUFFERED.” Isaiah 63:9
You may remember me describing a picture I once painted. My idea was to paint a crucifixion painting, but with a unique point of view: the viewer is on a cross, looking down his own bloody arm at Jesus on the cross next to him. Because we all suffer like those thieves (though in many different ways). Jesus does not take us down off the cross—instead He JOINS US in our greatest suffering. He is right there with you, and He looks over at you and beckons you: “TODAY, YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE.” Soon, you will join Me in my Glory!
Imagine that! The God Who Created and Saved us joins us in our horror and shame and agony—and promises that we will join Him in His Joy and Honor and Glory. What an amazing privilege! I can’t even believe that.
Dear God, remind us that You are always with us, no matter what! We never suffer all alone, but You are there hurting with us. Thank you for your compassion. Make us more like You every day.
ΑΩ
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