This title is a question that all pastors invariably hear. Sooner or later, during a trial or hardship, someone asks the question. My (secret) reactions and public responses vary as I work out my salvation with fear and trembling, knowing that God is at work in my own life to will and work His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). Our trials vary. Our God does not (Hebrews 13:8).
Let me be clear. I am not unsympathetic or “unempathetic” towards suffering. My family and I are no strangers to what some would term “extreme” suffering and hardship over these last 8 years (and long before to be honest). But that said, our suffering is relative and God never gives us more than He will enable us to handle or survive (1 Corinthians 13:8). But sometimes in the midst of hardship and suffering we lose perspective when in the middle of the storm (read Habakkuk, Lamentations, and or Job).
Why does God treat me (us?) so poorly? We read in Genesis 6 about Noah that Noah found grace in the eyes of God (Genesis 6:8). We read that we are saved by grace (God’s undeserved favor) and not by our performance (Ephesians 2:8-9). We read God so loved the world that He sent His one and only son that whosoever believes in Him has eternal life (John 3:16).
Can I ask you a question? Where do you live? Do you live in the USA? Do you live in Europe? Do you live in a “Third World Country?” Do you live in Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, or Iran? China? Do you have two arms and two legs? Regardless of your answer, if you are a born-again Christian, then you have all you really need for the next 750,000 years… salvation… an eternity in heaven, where God will wipe away every tear.
In our comfortable age, some people think that being stuck in a traffic jam for an hour or so is suffering. There are Christians in some parts of India, an increasingly totalitarian place, where being beaten, killed, or raped for your faith is suffering. Some in China, where organs are harvested off of live dissidents for sale to Westerners, think they are suffering.
Sometimes we need a bit of a wake-up call. A jolt. That’s kind of what I’m doing here. As Christians, when our brothers and sisters suffer hardship, we are to weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice (Romans 12:15). And as Paul writes elsewhere we are to encourage the weak and help the fainthearted—and this particularly pertains to those who are suffering. However, is it possible that your suffering is a gift? That God wants to employ you to encourage others?
Finally, have you ever considered that this life is short and eternity is long and your eternal life in Christ is far better than you deserve? Have you considered that though the wages of sin is death (and far worse) God has given you eternal life and that you are right this moment receiving from God far better than you could ever, ever deserve? Maybe you should rephrase the question as you reorient your thinking. Instead, ask, “Lord, why do you treat me as well as you do and how can I use this hardship to glorify you, encourage others, and grow in grace and wisdom in the process?” Think about it. And remember… there are others in this world in this present age who have it “far worse.” Give thanks to God that He has not gifted you with their struggles.