Last week, we looked at this question: “Is COVID-19 a punishment for our sin? Or is God warning us?” Answer: No, COVID-19 is not a punishment for our sin. God put all punishment on Jesus on the cross. That is finished. But bad things still happen as a warning that life in this world doesn’t go on forever. We must repent and believe Jesus is our Savior and have true life with Him.

But now there is a new question. I’m a Christian.  I already believe.  But bad things still happen to me. If you are a Christian, you still suffer, too. Why?

Christians and non-Christians see suffering differently.  No one likes to suffer.  The non-Christian view about suffering is try to avoid it. We should enjoy life, not suffer in life. So a non-Christian will chase pleasure and run away from suffering.  If my life is hard, then I need more fun and less pain. A non-Christian thinks my life = my experiences. So they want to fill up their life with lots of good experiences, lots of fun and pleasure, not suffering.  Christians can understand that way of thinking.  We see it all the time in the world, and often we want the same thing.

But Christian perspective of suffering is different.  A non-Christian says my life = my experiences, but a Christian says my life = Jesus.  If I have good experiences or bad experiences, that doesn’t change my life.  My life is still in Jesus.  We like good experiences, yes, but those experiences don’t give me life.  We don’t like suffering, but those hard times don’t ruin my life.

Hebrews 12:10-11 says: Our parents trained us for a little while. They did what they thought was best. But God trains us for our good. He does this so we may share in his holiness. No training seems pleasant at the time. In fact, it seems painful. But later on it produces a harvest of godliness and peace. It does this for those who have been trained by it.

God sends suffering and we accept it.  Why?  He is teaching and training us to attend to Him more, and teaching us what is truly important, so we don’t pursue worldly pleasures but we will pursue Him.  He makes us suffer so we will be holy with Him.  That is a wonderful gift!  We accept suffering because we see that God uses suffering for our good.

What you think?  Share your thoughts below.  Thank you for watching and reading! God bless you!