Jesus understands and can sympathize with our suffering. Jesus understands our suffering because He suffered in our place. In Isaiah 53:5-9, we read of Jesus' suffering on our behalf. He was wounded, bruised, chastised, and whipped for our sins.
Jesus knew sorrow: “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” (Matthew 26:38). Jesus knew ridicule: “Again and again they struck him…and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid [mocking] homage to him” (Mark 15:19).
In his compassion he wills that those who suffer find relief. In what are called his Beatitudes, Jesus gives a heavenly per- spective to the merit of and reward for embracing human suffer- ing, even persecution at the hands of others for his sake.
Suffering causes our focus to turn inward, to face those parts of ourselves we might otherwise ignore. God can use suffering then to develop us into better people: the people who can love and enjoy Him forever (Romans 5:3-5; James 1:2-4).
God is perfect and holy, and He loves us. God knows our problems, and He can be trusted with every difficulty we face. He hasn't promised that our way will always be smooth and problem-free, but He has promised to be with us and that should give us great comfort.
Even before God became man, it's clear throughout the Old Testament that God feels sorrow, even weeps for the crushing blows of His people. Psalm 34:18 promises us that “the Lord is close to the brokenhearted.” How can you be close to someone who is brokenhearted and not feel their pain?
When we are suffering, God is right beside us. Nothing can separate us from His love. He wants to show us His love through His church, and give us a purpose through His Word!
The good news of Psalm 56:8 is that our God does indeed pay attention to our sorrows. Every cry, every tear, every pain matters to God.
Sometimes when bad things happen, they empower us to act and serve. Even the Savior, our example, suffered infirmities, “that his bowels may be filled with mercy” and so that He could know “how to succor his people” (Alma 7:12). Trials can open our eyes to those who are suffering.
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. The Lord is near.
We evolved to suffer in certain circumstances (e.g., deprivation of food, water, air, warmth, social rejection, loss of loved ones). Our suffering motivates us to change our behavior, when possible, in ways that enhance our chances of survival.
The practical response is to show compassion to people who are suffering, offer those people help and trust that God will deliver an answer to the problem. An example of this is intercessionary prayers, which are prayers asking for God's help for people in need.
Jesus overcame suffering, not by avoiding it but by suffering Himself. He suffered the torture of being nailed to the cross. He also suffered being rejected by the very people He came to help.
Exodus 3:7-10 Amplified Bible (AMP)
The LORD said, “I have in fact seen the affliction (suffering, desolation) of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters (oppressors); for I know their pain and suffering.
Qualifiers, such as physical, mental, emotional, and psychological, are often used to refer to certain types of pain or suffering. In particular, mental pain (or suffering) may be used in relationship with physical pain (or suffering) for distinguishing between two wide categories of pain or suffering.
Rev. 21 Verses 1 to 4
He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them; [4] he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away.
But Scripture teaches us in Romans 8:28 that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him. God did not plan or cause the accident to happen, but He certainly used it because nothing takes Him by surprise.
And, it means that God never leaves or looks away, no matter how horrible something may be in our human existence. Where is God when bad things happen? God is right there with us.
* Lord Krishna said, good and bad things happen to people according to their accumulated karmic debt. * Sometimes those "karmic debt" may be due to the actions done in this life BUT also it could be due to the "Karmic debt" inherited through previous lives.
Suffering that comes as a result of “taking up our cross to follow him” strengthens us by helping us experience a greater oneness with Christ until the day we find eternal rest in his presence and glory. We can be confident, that although we suffer as Christ did, we also will be glorified as Christ is.
Psalm 34:18 is a wonderful Bible verse that tells us about God's care for us when we are hurting. It says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted... (NIV).” God is close to you, not far away. In fact, He's with you even now, and He'll be with you throughout the holidays.
God Uses Our Wounds
We try to avoid pain, but God wants to use it. God redeems pain and suffering for a greater and glorious good. He allows us to suffer to humble us and make us more Christ-like.
In your pain, in the dark night of your soul, in your storm, in your confusion, in your sadness, wherever you are, He is. God is on the side of the sufferer. Scripture bears witness. Take a glance through the gospels and where do you find Jesus?
"The righteous call to the LORD, and he listens; he rescues them from all their troubles. The LORD is near to those who are discouraged; he saves those who have lost all hope."
Psalm 40:1-3
In this, and other Scriptures for depression, we're reminded that God is always near to the brokenhearted. No matter how deep the pit of despair you're in, God can lift you out. Just as He did for David, God can set you back on a path towards hope and He will steady you whenever you start to stumble.