When things are going well and life seems to be smooth sailing, it’s easy to assume that we must be doing something right. Just think about it…. You worked hard for that well-paying job, and now you’ve been able to purchase a home, provide for your family, and take that trip you’d always dreamed of taking. When you’re in a situation like that, it’s only natural to feel proud of yourself and accidentally attribute all of the goodness in your life to yourself. Even for the most kind and thoughtful person, when everything seems to be going right, it’s hard to keep that ego from growing—tiny bit by tiny bit. But then, when devastating news arrives, you are immediately humbled. Suffering reminds us that we are not actually in control at all! God is. Everything good comes from God, and no matter how much we try to let only good things into our lives, we humans are ultimately powerless. Sure, our actions and choices do have a certain degree of impact in our lives, but we cannot stop drunk drivers from wreaking havoc, we cannot stop natural disasters from destroying our homes, and we cannot always prevent that dreaded cancer diagnosis. When suffering arrives, as unwanted as it may be, it humbles us and reminds us that we are not in control.

*Suffering increases our dependence on God. 

…which can lead toward living with greater dependence on God. If we choose to let them, life’s seasons of suffering will push us into the loving arms of our Creator. When we remember that we cannot walk through life under only our own power, we remember our need for God. A friend in my small group at church is from a country that has been war torn for decades. As we discussed a Bible passage one night, she remarked on her observations of the difference of people’s faith in God in the United States compared to her home country. Americans largely live in peace and comfort (especially compared to the rest of the world), and her friends and family members are currently just trying to survive each day as war rages on around them. They are seeing and experiencing suffering constantly, which is driving them toward God. Why? Because their own helplessness and powerlessness is overwhelmingly evident. They are desperate for God. He is their only hope. Suffering increases our dependence on God.

*Suffering teaches us.

As painful as it may be to admit, suffering is also a great teacher. You’ve heard the phrase, experience is the best teacher, yes? Suffering might be right up there with experience; actually, the two may go hand in hand. …because life experiences often include suffering mixed in here and there. After a season of struggling to pay the rent, you learn better how to budget. After a bout with depression, you might better understand the value of God’s life-giving words in the Bible. After suffering a heart attack, you might learn the importance of a healthy diet and exercise. Life experiences, which are a mix of highs and lows, teach us how to move forward—stronger and better—if we let them. Just thinking back over my past year and a half, I’ve suffered through the loss of several loved ones. In walking through each loss, I’ve learned so many things about myself, my support system and my faith. 

*Suffering reminds us that this world is not our home.

And speaking of losing people, health struggles were a primary cause of death for three of my loved ones recently. Whether they had been dealing with physical bodily suffering for decades or days prior to leaving this earth, it’s comforting to think about the fact that they’re now living in fully healed and glorified bodies in paradise. Praise God that our earthly suffering is not permanent! But even thinking about suffering that’s not necessarily health related, even that provides a powerful reminder that this world is not our home. If you’re suffering because of a challenging relationship, the loss of a marriage, a child who’s walked away from the Lord, a stressful work situation, an attack on your reputation, or whatever it may be, painful circumstances put life into perspective. They provide personal, meaningful reminders that the best is yet to come. Believers can view suffering through an eternal lens. Any pain we endure on this side of heaven is temporary. Eternal life in God’s restored kingdom will be perfect in every sense of the word. No more suffering or pain! Although the world’s comfort can lull us into a false sense of satisfaction and complacency, suffering reminds us that earth is not our final destination. There’s something better in store!

*Suffering connects us to Jesus.

One more silver lining that suffering offers is that it connects us to Jesus. When He came to earth to live and minister, Jesus faced the same temptations we do. He also faced times of suffering. He lived through the deaths of family members and friends, and He faced constant hostile confrontation from religious leaders of the day. At different times, Jesus dealt with rejection, abandonment and isolation. Of course, perhaps His greatest suffering of all was His brutal crucifixion, which He endured to pay the price for our sins. Obviously we cannot relate to that final burden He bore, but with any other kind of suffering we face, we can find comfort knowing that Jesus understands. He can directly relate. Just like group members at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting feel bonded by their common fight for sobriety, we can feel more closely connected to Jesus when we face suffering just like He did. He understands! And we can choose to let His intimate understanding of our suffering draw us closer to Him.

Even if you’ve made it this far and are still tracking with me, I’m certain that none of these silver linings of suffering have made you go so far as to actually desire or invite difficult life circumstances. Why would you? Suffering is not fun, and it’s certainly not something we go out seeking. However, it is inevitable. Until Jesus comes back and makes all things new, we will face suffering and pain. That’s just the plain and simple truth. Fortunately for believers, God’s Truth, which is anything but “plain and simple,” helps us find hope, peace and even joy in suffering. 

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. -Romans 5:3-5

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” -John 16:33

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. -2 Corinthians 4:16-18