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.
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).
Suffering doesn't somehow purchase glory; suffering is glorious. Put another way, glory is what suffering looks like from an eternal perspective. It is the honor of God that crowns God's people. And there will come a time in which all of the church's shared sufferings will be seen as radiant and beautiful.
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.
Scripture reminds us that being burdened and despairing of life itself can strengthen our faith (2 Corinthians 1:8–9). This is because the deepest trials make us rely not on ourselves, but on God who raises the dead. The more we endure with Christ and find him sufficient, the stronger our faith becomes.
Nietzsche, a wise man himself, famously remarked that what does not kill us, makes us stronger. Suffering can make us more resilient, better able to endure hardships. Just as a muscle, in order to build up, must endure some pain, so our emotions must endure pain in order to strengthen.
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!
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.
God has used our pain to strengthen us and encourage others to trust God and believe that he is working despite what we see.
Suffering produces growth and maturity (James 1:2-4).
If we turn toward God in our pain, He can use our suffering to mature our faith. We see this biblical truth illustrated through the persecuted church. After hearing their testimonies, few would deny that suffering produces beauty and maturity of spirit.
The Catholic Church sees human suffering as a chance to follow the example of Christ and believe that it is a part of God's plan. The document aims to reconcile suffering and pain with the belief in a loving God. Those who suffer here on Earth are united in that suffering with Christ, who died on the cross.
Revelation 21:4 gives you an eternal perspective, helping you find purpose in the pain. “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
The five Kleshas are Avidya (ignorance), Asmita (egoism or I-am-ness), Raga (attachment), Dvesha (repulsion and aversion), and Abhinivesha (fear of death and the will to live).
In The Purpose Driven Life, Pastor Rick Warren reveals the meaning of life from a Christian perspective—five purposes that you were created by God to fulfill: worship, unselfish fellowship, spiritual maturity, your ministry, and your mission.
Matthew 11:28-30 - God lightens your burdens
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Pain is not only a necessity but also a blessing, because it warns us, corrects us, guides us, and brings us to Jesus. Pain can be a blessing in many different ways, and the first is as a warning system.
To Do Justice. The first thing God desires of His people, is that they do justice. Not merely appreciate justice, not simply assent that justice is good, but we are to do justice. Our actions reflect our beliefs.
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.
Psalm 56:8 says, “You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?” God knows our suffering and tears. He sees how we suffer, and He is near to us in our suffering. No tear that you have cried has gone unnoticed by your heavenly Father.
God respects agency.
Other trials come from people making bad decisions. God respects the agency of each of His children. He (and we) can encourage, plead, warn, and teach—rewarding good behavior and punishing bad behavior. But in the end, it would go against His nature and plan to force anyone to do anything.
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.
1 Peter 5:10-11 ERV
Yes, you will suffer for a short time. But after that, God will make everything right. He will make you strong. He will support you and keep you from falling.
Gautam Buddha taught that life is full of suffering and unhappiness. This is caused because we have cravings and desires (which often cannot be fulfilled). Sometimes, even if we get what we want, we are not satisfied, and want even more (or want other things). The Buddha described this as thirst or tanha.
To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering — Friedrich Nietzsche.