What does Christianity say about suffering?

Answer 1

The gospels show Jesus alleviating the suffering of the sick and infirm. However, they are somewhat ambivalent about the suffering of the poor. Matthew 11:5 tells how "The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them." Mark 14:7 says, "For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good." Christianity has a long and proud history of caring for the sick. However, unlike the suffering of the sick and infirm, the suffering of the poor seems to be regarded as incurable, although the disciples were enjoined to do what they could for them.

Answer 2

Suffering can be interpreted by a Christian in four ways: 1. It is the result of man's free will and happens because we are in a corrupted state. God does not want it to happen but it does anyway, just like God would like everyone to be saved but their not. God can however, use that which was intended for evil to work out for good. 2. Suffering is always a result of Gods eternal plan and is meant for our growth or maturation in some area of our lives. Before we can be perfected we must go through the refining fire and potters hands of God. A Christian can always take comfort in the fact that everything that happens to them is allowed by God for their future good. A non-Christian may not have this assurance and God does not have to save everyone, only his "elect". Not that he wanted bad things to happen but that he simply allowed other entities to make them happen in order to work about his purposes in us. 3. God is the supreme authority and everything evil that is done is a result of God's design for the earth. He does not have to be fair because he is God and whatever he does, by definition, is good. He gives us all different challenges and expects us to overcome them, no matter how unfair they seem. 4. Evil things just happen, their is no divine explanation for why, we brought this evil upon our own heads. After the fall of Adam and Eve God became disgusted with humans and rejoices when one turns to Him but does not expect everybody to do so. He is up in heaven somewhere and it is our responsibility to find him, not the other way around. These are some different view points I can think of, they may not be perfect and are subject to change. But remember that the question of why there is evil implies that there is also good. And when we acknowledge the existence of these two inherent opposites we must also acknowledge that there is a law on the basis of which to distinguish between the two. This implies something that must be universally powerful enough to maintain this law and hold its violators accountable for their obedience to it. We call this entity God, and if there is no God than the question of why their is evil and suffering in the world is meaningless.

Answer 3

Some pertinent passages: Matthew 5:11, 12 -"Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." James 1:2, 3 - My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. Acts 5:41 - So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. Romans 8:18 - For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 2 Corinthians 1:5 - For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 1 Peter 4:13 - but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 1 Peter 4:16 - Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let himglorify God in this matter. [Quotes from NKJV]

Answer 4

Christians believe that suffering is an ordinary part of life. How we respond to suffering is important.

Peter taught us, "It is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God" (1 Peter 2:10).

He went on to say, "How is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and your endure it, this is commendable before God" (1 Peter 2:20).

He also said on the same subject, "Those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good" 1 Peter 2:19).

Answer 5

That depends on what kind of suffering you are talking about. Some suffering can be seen as good. Selfless suffering (Suffering for the sake of someone else) is seen as a great amazing thing (I.E. what Jesus did on the cross, or giving your lunch to a homeless person, or other person who is less fortunate). But CAUSING suffering of others is considered a terrible thing.

Answer 6

It would seem that the most honest and consistent answer would address what scripture reveals about the ideal Christian attitude toward suffering, realizing first and foremost that suffering is not arbitrary or cruel; rather, it is both purposeful and necessary.

Attaining and maintaining a scriptural attitude toward suffering is one of the many ways faith challenges the Christian, since it (like all spiritual matters) runs contrary to human nature, which tries to avoid suffering by every possible means.

Nonetheless, The Bible tells us that suffering is part of the Christians' "trial by fire" (1 Peter 1:7). No one "likes" to suffer; yet Christians are taught to expect suffering and hardship (not only from physical causes, but more importantly, from spiritual causes - 2 Timothy 3:12) and to "rejoice" in it (1 Peter 4:12, 13), for several reasons.

One: Suffering for the cause of Christ is necessary in order to truly be one of God's "children." (Note the word "if" in the following passage. It's a tiny word, but one of the most powerful words in Scripture, because it indicates a conditional statement to follow. In Bible study, "if" should NEVER be overlooked!)

Romans 8:16, 17 - The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs - heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

Two: Suffering reminds Christians that this life is not all there is; that our "human condition" (subject to suffering) is temporary, and that we await something unimaginably better. Therefore, we are not to live in fear or dread of suffering.

Romans 8:18 - For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Revelation 2:10 - Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Three: Suffering produces patience, improves our character, and increases our hope.

Romans 5:3, 4 - And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Four: Enduring suffering with patience is one of the very few things Christians can actually DO to demonstrate anydegree of worthiness.

2 Thessalonians 1:4, 5 - so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer;

Five: Suffering gives God opportunity to provide comfort, and gives Christians opportunity to comfort one another, also reminding us that it's something we all have in common.

Philippians 4:6, 7 - Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 1:3, 4 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

1 Corinthians 12:26 - And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

These observations are far from exhaustive. Since dealing with suffering is something each and every Christian must do, Scripture has far more to say on the subject. But to conclude: The Christian attitude toward suffering should be as that of the Apostle Paul, who suffered as much (or more) for the cause of Christ than any man who ever lived (Acts 9:16), yet was able to say:

2 Corinthians 4:17 - For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

[Quotes from NKJV]

No one is innocent, everyone sins. There's no such thing as innocent suffering. Even babies, as soon as they are able too, they WILL sin.

Answer 7

Suffering in the world has come about through sin. Sin causes wars, famine, disease. Sin also causes disease because of sexual abuse, IE, adultery, homosexual practices, kinky sex etc. Sin causes suffering by criminal activities, murder, robbery, theft, etc. Sin is the result of all of these things and all cause suffering. The list is endless but i hope you get the idea.

Answer 8

You should keep in mind that Christianity is divided into thousands of denominations, which have widely differing beliefs.

For some Christians at least, the idea of "original sin" is important. This is related to the Old Testament story, in which sin was brought to the world through the world through the disobedience of Adam and Eve (who were not supposed to eat the fruits of a certain tree).

Answer 9

Most Christians respond to suffering with prayer and reading the Bible to remind themselves that their life is in God's hands. God has a plan for everyone.