We are born into this world as sinners. “Behold I was shapened in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.” Psalms 51:5
And as sinners, we have a sin nature and are introduced into a world that is infected by sin (Genesis 3:1-21).
So, at birth, we take on the liability of sin and live in an atmosphere of sin. The consequences of sin (disease, accidents, vicious people, etc.) will affect us. People suffer because people live in a sinful world. God is not necessarily punishing us, nor is God the cause of pain and suffering. Sometimes, God may allow suffering to bring us closer to him. When people hurt physically, they cry out to God. They do the same with mental and emotional suffering. Sufferings cause us to fellowship with him.
Philippians 3:10 tells us, “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.” Jesus was the only innocent person to ever live, and he had to suffer too. He was truthful, but they accused him of telling lies. He and the Father were one, yet they accused him of blasphemy.
The Scriptures say in Isaiah 53:7, “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.” Through our sufferings, we are delivered from self-reliance. We might think we can solve all our problems until we suffer. Then, we learn to pray and ask for God’s help. God uses suffering to refine our faith, build character, and depend on God rather than on worldly comforts. Trials encourage us to pray, to be humble, and to rely on God’s strength. David cries out for God’s help in his affliction.
“Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted.” Psalms 25:16
Afflictions develop virtues such as patience, compassion, and mercy. Sufferings cultivate the pride in us to empathy and grow a Christlike character in believers.