In Luke 13:1-4, Luke describes terrible moments of suffering. There was an occasion when Pilate murdered people while they were offering sacrifices. There was also an occasion when a tower collapsed and killed eighteen people.

We also live in a world where tragedies and cases of suffering take place. There are terrorist attacks, wars, drive-by shootings, sicknesses, plane crashes, and natural disasters. Many different things cause these cases of suffering, but maybe the more important question for Christians to consider is “why?” Why does God allow suffering to occur in the lives of His people? What good can come to disciples when God allows them to experience periods of trials?

To Refine Us

  • God can use sufferings to test our faith and make us better in His service (1 Peter 1:6-7; 4:12-13).
  • The Lord used Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” to keep him humble and more dependent on Him (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). While God didn’t remove Paul’s source of suffering, He did use it to refine and help Paul become stronger in the faith.
  • While sufferings can be excruciating, they can be tools God uses to help us grow in our trust, prayers, humility, and perseverance (2 Peter 1:6). They can be avenues God uses to work in our lives and mold us into the image of His Son.

To Equip Us

  • Sometimes God will allow suffering to take place to equip us to help others (2 Corinthians 1:3-5). When we experience various trials we are prepared to help others who go through the same trials.
  • Understanding this can help us avoid isolation and be willing to open up to others about our problems. It can help us avoid shutting others out of our lives and allow them to help bear our burden (Galatians 6:2).
  • It can motivate us to use bad experiences as a source of healing for others.

To Reveal His Glory

  • The suffering of Lazarus and his sisters provided an avenue for God’s glory to be revealed (John 11:14-15, 40-42). This was also true when Jesus healed the man born blind (John 9:1-4).
  • Joseph understood that God used suffering for His glory (Genesis 50:20).
  • The ultimate example of this is found in the suffering of Jesus (1 Peter 2:21-25).
  • When Christians persevere and continue glorifying God while suffering, the world can witness how much a commitment to God changes people.

To Keep Us Focused

  • The world constantly reminds us that we are not in heaven yet (Revelation 21:1-4).
  • There will be no violence, tears, pain, death, and natural disasters in heaven.
  • The challenges in this world are momentary and “light afflictions” compared to the blessings found in eternity (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).
  • While suffering can be painful, it can motivate us to strive to gain the ultimate prize.

Conclusion:

The great work of God’s redemption was accomplished through the suffering of His Son. Through Jesus’ suffering, we can avoid spiritual suffering and be saved from our sins.