Suffering is a near universal human experience. At some point in our lives, we will all encounter suffering in one form or another. As Christians, we can find hope and comfort in God’s Word during these difficult seasons. Here is an overview of some key Bible passages that speak to the issue of suffering:
Romans 5:3-5
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
This passage reminds us that suffering can produce good fruit in our lives. As we endure sufferings with faith and reliance on God, it develops our character and hope. Suffering is not meaningless, but rather God can use it to mold us into the image of Christ.
James 1:2-4
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James exhorts us to consider trials an occasion for joy, because God uses them to test and strengthen our faith. Enduring them leads to spiritual maturity and completeness in Christ.
1 Peter 4:12-13
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
Peter reminds believers not to be caught off guard when painful trials come, but to rejoice because it means sharing in Christ’s sufferings. This suffering pales in comparison to the eternal glory and joy that awaits those who are in Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Paul encourages believers to not lose heart because our present sufferings are momentary and light compared to the exceeding and limitless glory to come in eternity. We must fix our eyes on unseen, eternal realities rather than temporal earthly troubles.
Romans 8:18
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Again Paul speaks of the glory to come far outweighing our sufferings in this life. Our focus should be on the future redemption and restoration Christ will bring.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
God allowed Paul’s thorn in the flesh to produce humility and reliance on Christ’s strength. Though painful, this taught Paul that God’s grace was enough to sustain him in weakness and suffering. Christ’s power shines brightest in our weaknesses.
1 Peter 1:6-7
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Trials prove the genuineness of our faith like fire purifies gold. As we undergo sufferings, our steadfastness and reliance on Christ through it will bring him praise and honor when Christ returns.
Psalm 34:18-19
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
God cares deeply for those experiencing heartbreak and despair. He promises to ultimately deliver the righteous from all their troubles.
2 Thessalonians 1:5-7
This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels.
God’s justice will prevail. The relief he grants suffering believers will come when Christ returns to judge evil and make all things right again.
Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
This verse poetically promises that God will sustain and protect his people through times of difficulty and trial. We do not suffer alone.
Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
God walks beside us even through our darkest valleys of life. We need not fear evil or death because the Lord comforts and protects those who belong to him.
Matthew 5:4
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus pronounces a blessing over those who mourn and suffer heartbreak. God cares deeply about those enduring loss and grief, and promises to provide supernatural comfort.
Philippians 3:10
That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death…
Paul expresses his deep desire to participate in Christ’s sufferings so that he might be more intimately united with Christ, both in his death and resurrection. Suffering deepens our experience of Christ.
Hebrews 4:15-16
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Jesus serves as our great High Priest who personally identifies with human suffering, having experienced the full range of human trials during his earthly life. We can come boldly before God’s throne to find mercy and grace in our times of need.
Psalm 119:50
This is my comfort in my affliction,
that your promise gives me life.
The Psalmist finds solace in God’s word during suffering. Even in affliction, God’s promises provide comfort, hope and spiritual vitality.
Romans 8:28
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
This popular verse gives the assurance that God uses all things – including sufferings – to ultimately accomplish good purposes in the lives of his people. He remains sovereign over every circumstance.
1 Peter 5:10
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
After enduring sufferings for a season, God himself will restore and establish believers. Our trials are temporary, but God’s grace and purposes are eternal.
In summary, the Bible offers many words of hope, truth, and comfort on the topic of human suffering. God promises that he will be near to those who suffer, and that he ultimately works through our trials to strengthen our faith and draw us closer to Christ. Though difficult, suffering is an opportunity to rely more fully on God, hope in his promises, and mature in godly character. The suffering of this life cannot be compared to the eternal glory, redemption, and restoration that awaits God’s people. We can take courage that God will wipe away every tear and make all things new again at the return of our Savior, Jesus Christ.