Finding Meaning in Suffering

7/27/2025

Today we address a subject that touches each of us at some point in our journey: the meaning of suffering and anxiety. These are experiences we cannot escape, yet Spirit invites us to a deeper understanding – one that offers hope, courage, and transformation.

As part of our human journey, we will experience suffering and anxiety. The Bible does not ignore suffering or dismiss anxiety. Instead, it acknowledges their reality again and again. In John 16:33 even Jesus declares: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” We are reminded that suffering is not a sign of failure; we are not a bad person, nor has God abandoned us. Rather, it is woven into the very fabric of human existence.

The Scriptures make space for lament. In Psalm 6:3 David cried, “My soul is in deep anguish. How long, Lord, how long?” Matthew 26:38 tells us that in Gethsemane, Jesus prayed in agony “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” God wants us to bring our pain, fears, and worries to Him. We do not need to hide or pretend. The Psalms are filled with raw, honest prayers as examples and reminders that expressing anxiety to God is itself an act of faith.

We are not privy to the ‘why’ of God. Why did this happen? There is not a definitive answer, except that God did not do it. I am one who does not believe our loving God is going to do mean evil things to His children. That does not happen. But we are human; we are living in this world, and as Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble.” This is what God does for us, as Romans 8:28 says, “…in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” This means that God manipulates everything happening to us, so that it benefits us.

We may at some point ask God, “What is the purpose of suffering?” Although God does not create it, God uses our hardship and gives it purpose for spiritual growth and fine-tuning. Through the agency of Jesus Christ, suffering acts as a refining fire, purifying, and strengthening our faith and character. As 1 Peter 1:6-7 explains, “So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. The purpose of these troubles is to test your faith as fire tests how genuine gold is. Your faith is more precious than gold, and by passing the test, it gives praise, glory, and honor to God.” 

In Romans 5:3-4, Paul gives us a powerful lens through which to view hardship: “We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” This spiritual growth and maturity is a key divine purpose for allowing hardship to strengthen us and experience to sharpen us. No, we may not always understand the 'why,' but God can use adversity to produce growth, humility, and deeper reliance on Him.

At times, our suffering is a direct result of our choices, so it is a teacher. Suffering can prune away darkness, weakness, and immature attitudes to increase spiritual fruitfulness. Sometimes it comes as a “Cosmic 2x4”. We ignore small things until we are smacked upside the head. This is not so much done ‘to’ us as ‘for’ us. It is spirit waking us to important changes that are necessary in our lives.

Also, suffering serves the purpose in general that this life in the human body is short and helps us focus not on the body, not on our circumstances, but on the eternal treasures that we are promised. Colossians 3:2 states it clearly: “Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.” We are told that we are sojourners on this earth and that “we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives,” so says Philippians 3:20.

It is important to remember our core beliefs, one being that wherever we are, God is. There is no place physically or emotionally that we can go where God is not with us. God is close, and the comfort of God is not distant or abstract. Psalm 34:18 assures us: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” When our soul is in pain, Spirit draws near and offers us peace, comfort, and God’s presence.  

Paul testifies in Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Jesus is not untouched by suffering. He entered human pain fully, even to death on a cross. Hebrews 4:15 reminds us: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.” In Christ, suffering is not meaningless. His resurrection shows that pain, loss, and even death do not have the final word. Through Him, even our lowest darkest moments are woven into a larger story of redemption and hope.

There are ways to face suffering and mitigate its devastating impact even though it can seem like an impossible obstacle at times. First, we can acknowledge our suffering without denial, suppression, or judgment.   Accept that suffering and anxiety are a part of life, not personal failure. They do not define us or defeat us.

We can reframe our perception of our suffering and find meaning. For instance: Following the end of a significant relationship, overwhelming feelings of sadness and loneliness can dominate our emotions. Through conversations with friends, introspection, journaling, and prayer we can eventually find meaning in the experience by identifying new personal strengths, such as resilience, self-awareness, independence, empathy and compassion for others who are heartbroken, courage, adaptability, boundary setting, creativity, hope, faith, and recognize we have the capacity to love and connect again. Reframing does not erase pain but helps transform the experience, fostering growth, purpose, and a renewed sense of self and connection to others.

We can reach out to our church community and close friends for emotional support. Christ showed us how, “My soul is crushed with grief. Stay here and keep watch with me.” We can express what we are experiencing and ask for their support.

Galatians 6:2 encourages believers to “carry each other’s burdens,” recognizing that healing often happens in relationship, not in isolation. Although this talk has been from the perspective of our own suffering, let us not forget that the world is inhabited by billions who are themselves suffering. Can we take our thoughts off ourselves and consider those around us who are in need? Can we help ‘carry their burdens’ by just being present with them?

When suffering, sometimes the last thing we want to do is move into prayer. But let us make that a spiritual habit. Share every emotion with God, good and bad. When we face the darkness we will be in a habit of turning to God. Philippians 4:6 advises, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.”

Let us revisit what is important to us and take small meaningful steps towards what matters most. Acts of service, creative expression, or purposeful work can provide distraction and fulfilment. Remember the basics – be grateful. Reflect on things you can be thankful for, even in small ways. Gratitude does not eliminate pain but shifts attention towards hope and resilience.       

Let us be gentle on ourselves and allow ourselves the space to lament, grieve, and mourn to God or close and trusted friends. If we are making ourselves available to someone who needs to express grief, be there emotionally as a loved one, not a therapist. We do not have the answers. Just listen and respond with love.   

Facing suffering well means balancing honest grief with hope, vulnerability with community, acceptance with purposeful action, and practical coping with deep meaning. Suffering remains painful, but it can also become a site of transformation, connection, and even unexpected grace when met with these tools and attitudes.

In summary, the purpose of suffering includes spiritual refinement, divine discipline, participation in Christ’s sufferings, a call to change, and our being a pointer toward eternal hope. While suffering is painful and often mysterious, Scripture presents it as meaningful within God’s sovereign plan for growth, transformation, and ultimate redemption.

When we are suffering, seek God; He is not far away, but our thoughts can blur our vision. So, seek Him, know Him, and serve Him. It is my prayer that we see God helping us through our trials. May we find meaning in our suffering and anxiety – not by escaping pain, but by turning to Christ, the One who walks with us through it. May his Presence shape our hearts, souls, and minds by His love.