Many people, whether Christian and non Christian struggle with the issue of suffering.  Why do bad things happen to good people when a good God is in control?  There is no easy way to answer this question, and some answers are only for our God to know.

   When God first created the world and man, there was no suffering or death.  It was only when sin entered the world, through disobedience of man, that suffering and death became a reality.  Even though it may be natural to our fallen world, death was not natural to man as he was created.  When humans were created, they were created with the possibility of death not the necessity of death.  Death was introduced as a consequence of sin.

   Job is a great example of a man who suffered innocently when there seemed no reason for him to suffer.  Job's friends made an assumption the bible forbids.  They assumed that the suffering Job was going through was in direct proportion to his sin.  They believed that because his suffering was great, his sin was equally great, but this assumption was untrue as they later discovered.  God was simply testing his faithful servant, Job, in the light of suffering.  Jesus clearly says in John, that not all suffering is the result of sin.

   "Now as Jesus passed by, he saw a man who was blind from birth.  And his disciples asked him saying, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?'  Jesus answered, 'Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be reveal in him.'" ~ John 9:1-3

   Unfortunately quite often in this world, many innocent people endure a greater proportion of suffering than those who aren't so innocent do.  This is evident in David's cry, 'Lord, how long will the wicked, how long will the wicked triumph?' ~ Psalm 94:3.  The fact is that we live in a sinful world and the sin of others often affects the innocent.  Such crimes as rape, murder, adultery and so on, affect those who are innocent.  As long as we bear the guilt of sin, we cannot protest that God is unjust in allowing us to suffer.

   A few years ago, a good friend of mine died of Leukemia after first suffering with chemotherapy for about a year.  At one stage we thought he was recovering but soon after that, he died.  It was a shock to all of us because all of the Christians in the school had gotten together in the middle of the playground and prayed for him.  No one could understand it when he died.  I couldn't understand why God didn't jump in with a miracle and heal his loving servant and in doing so, witness to the whole school.

   A few months later God pointed out to me that all the Christians getting together amongst unbelievers to pray WAS the witness.  Though God brought that to light I believe there was another reason that my friend was taken to Heaven early.  Only God knows that reason and probably no one else ever will but we still have to accept God's decision, because we know that He knows best.

   Though there wasn't in the blind man's case, sometimes there is a direct link between a person's sin and suffering.  An example of this can be found in Numbers 12:9-10.  God afflicted Miriam with leprosy as a judgement upon her for her sin against Moses.  This same link can be found in the story of Jonah in which Jonah disobeys God and ends up in the belly of a whale as a punishment for his sin.

   Looking at the story of Joseph in the Old Testament, it becomes clear that good can come out of suffering, although much of the time we do not see that positive until much later.  We may not even see it at all.  Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers yet because of this treachery and suffering the plan of God was brought to pass.  At the moment of Joseph's reconciliation with his brothers, he exclaimed, 'But as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive." ~ Genesis 50:20.

   Jesus, the Son of God, suffered and died on a cross over two thousand years ago.  That was most assuredly not in vain because three days later Jesus came back to life having fulfilled God's plan.  If Jesus had not suffered and died as He did, humans would not have the opportunity to use their freewill to accept Jesus and go to Heaven.  Instead we would all be judged and sent to Hell for eternal suffering.

   "Dear friends do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed." ~ 1 Peter 4:12-13

   "Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.  I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." ~ Romans 8:17-18

   Jesus was blameless and he still experienced suffering to its fullest.  We on the other hand are NOT blameless so shouldn't we therefore experience suffering as our Lord and saviour, Jesus Christ did?

   Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. ~ Romans 5:3,4

   Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ~ James 1:2-4

   Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. ~ James 1:12

   I will not go on posting a lot of bible verses without explanations but if you would like to further study the topic of suffering, some excellent bible passages include: 2 Corinthians 1:5, Hebrews 5:8, Hebrews 12:7-11, James 5:10 and 1 Peter 5:7-10.

   Always remember that God knows the bigger picture, even if His plan is like a puzzle.  The pieces are all different and by themselves, they don't make much sense but in the end, they all interconnect neatly together to form a bigger, perfectly designed picture.  We must trust God because we know that in ALL things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ~ Romans 8:28