That question has been asked thousands of times and will continue to plague the thinking of many, especially those who are under the impression that all suffering ceases when one’s faith is placed in Christ. Unfortunately, the health and wealth religion that is preached by some adds to the misunderstanding of this subject. Suffering is a part of life, for it is a result of the Fall of man in the Garden. The Scriptures have much to say on this subject. Be encouraged, for all suffering that comes into the life of a Christian has passed through the permissive will of God and will be used by God in grace, to accomplish His Work. There is the assurance that God always intends the outcome of suffering to be for good, not as we tend to view it, from the human perspective, but from the Divine outlook, good of intrinsic value. Paul states a great promise that sustains us in times of suffering.
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him, to those who are called according to His purpose.”(Romans 8:28 NASB)
Understanding this truth brings much comfort and relief to the soul. No doubt there are many times that suffering is merely the result of bad decisions on our part. These bad decisions may have been deliberate, made in ignorance, or without sufficient information. Regardless, the consequences were negative and suffering resulted. At other times, suffering enters a life to prevent a greater malady from occurring -- thus preventative suffering from the hand of a merciful God. Of course, there are always those who would say, with their “holier than thou attitude,” that God is out to get you. God only acts toward mankind in grace, whether through the suffering, to bring that individual to see their need of Christ, or in a believer, to restore fellowship that has been broken, or to increase one’s dependence on Him as He refines that individual into a trophy of His grace. Therefore we can conclude that, from the Divine viewpoint, suffering is always for our benefit and blessing. The Apostle Peter in his first epistle reminds the Christian -- …
“These have come so that your faith — of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire — may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”(1 Peter 1:7 NIV)
The Apostle Paul gives us his testimony concerning suffering. Through his suffering, he was humbled, thus preventing pride from destroying his witness and service for Christ. Through suffering, he learned that God’s grace is an unfailing source of strength. Through suffering, he experienced the power of God in human weakness. Finally, in suffering he saw the omnipotence of Christ. Thus he writes to the churches in Corinth – …
“to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me — to keep me from exalting myself!.”(2 Corinthians 12:7 NASB)
By faith, Paul rested in the will of God -- …
“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”(2 Cor 12:9-10 NASB)