So often, we cry out, ‘Why?’ in the face of suffering.

John Piper writes:

‘We seldom know the micro reasons for our sufferings, but the Bible does give us faith-sustaining macro reasons.’

These include:

1. Repentance: Suffering is a call for us to turn from earthly attractions to heavenly treasures:

Luke 13:3–4 — “No, I tell you! But unless you repent, you will all perish as well! Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower in Siloam fell on them, do you think they were worse offenders than all the others who live in Jerusalem?”

2. Reliance: Suffering is a call to trust God and not the things of the world. 2 Corinthians 1:8–9:

2 Corinthians 1:8–9 – For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, regarding the affliction that happened to us in the province of Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of living.  Indeed we felt as if the sentence of death had been passed against us, so that we would not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead.

3. Righteousness: Suffering is the means by which our heavenly Father lovingly disciplines us so that we might share his holiness and righteousness:

Hebrews 12:6 — “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves and chastises every son he accepts.”

Hebrews 12:10–11 — For they disciplined us for a little while as seemed good to them, but he does so for our benefit, that we may share his holiness.  Now all discipline seems painful at the time, not joyful. But later it produces the fruit of peace and righteousness for those trained by it.

4. Reward: Suffering is producing for us a great reward in heaven:

2 Corinthians 4:17 — For our momentary, light suffering is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison.

5. Reminder: Suffering reminds us that God sent his Son into the world to suffer so that his sufferings, though unique, would in some ways be a model for our own suffering:

Philippians 3:10 — My aim is to know him, to experience the power of his resurrection, to share in his sufferings, and to be like him in his death…

And so we can joyfully confess:

Romans 8:28 — And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

James 5:11 — You have heard of Job’s endurance and you have seen the Lord’s purpose, that the Lord is full of compassion and mercy.