Rachel Evans
Suffering is a difficult topic for many, and it often leads people to question the existence of a loving God. While God does not cause suffering, He permits it, and it is through understanding His principles that we can begin to make sense of suffering. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that God's original plan for humans did not include suffering or death, but that changed with Adam's disobedience. God sent His Son, Jesus, to save us from sin and death, and through His sacrifice, Jesus made suffering redemptive. By uniting our suffering with Christ's, we can find meaning and even do good through it. This concept of redemptive suffering is a beautiful aspect of the Christian faith, transforming suffering into a means of salvation for ourselves and others. While suffering is inevitable, it need never be in vain.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| God does not cause suffering | God permits suffering to happen |
| God is all-knowing | God is aware of every pain we feel |
| God is all-loving | God loves us more than we love ourselves |
| God is all-powerful | God can bring good out of evil |
| Suffering can be used for good | Suffering can be transformed into an act of worship |
| Suffering can be an act of love for God | Suffering can lead to eternal life in heaven |
| Suffering can conform us to Christ | Suffering can make us more like Christ |
| Suffering can play a role in our salvation | Suffering can help others obtain salvation |
| Suffering can be a means of redemption | Redemption can be achieved through the work of Christ |
| Suffering can lead to liberation | Abandonment to God's will can bring comfort |
| Suffering can lead to rejoicing | Suffering can be a triumph over evil |
| Suffering can be a source of compassion | Compassion can bring light to the world |
| Suffering can be a call to action | Action can bring healing and solutions to problems |
| Suffering can be a shared experience | We are not alone in our suffering |
| Suffering can be a path to prayer | Prayer can be a way to actively involve ourselves in the suffering of others |
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What You'll Learn
God permits suffering, but does not cause it
The question of why God permits suffering is one of the most difficult questions asked by human beings, especially in the face of tragedy and natural catastrophes. The Bible tells us that God is all-powerful, all-loving, and all-knowing. He is aware of every pain we feel and every tear we shed.
However, God does not cause suffering. He simply permits it to happen in our lives. This is because God gave humans free will, and with that gift, humanity freely chose to disobey God, allowing sin and evil into the world. Evil is an invader, a parasite, a rot—a rupture in the cosmic order with a personal focus in the Devil, who stands opposed to God. God is far more loving than we can ever know, and in His love and mercy, He sent His Son, Jesus, to save us from evil and from ourselves. Jesus assures us that all suffering and death will eventually cease for those who believe.
Christians believe that Jesus has redeemed suffering and made it a source of good. By uniting our suffering with Christ and offering it to God in self-sacrificial love, we become like Christ, receiving the reward of eternal life. Suffering can also bring us closer to God, increase our faith, refine our character, and increase our compassion for others.
In the face of suffering, we can ask others to pray for us and for our pain. We can also find comfort in the Christian community and support others who are suffering, reminding ourselves and each other that we are not alone.
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Jesus' death and resurrection assure us that suffering and death will eventually cease
Jesus' death and resurrection are intimately linked to the idea of salvation and eternal life. By dying on the cross, Jesus took on the suffering of humanity and, in doing so, redeemed it. As St. Paul writes, "Christ has raised human suffering to the level of the Redemption. Thus each man, in his suffering, can also become a sharer in the redemptive suffering of Christ." Through his resurrection, Jesus conquered death and assured believers of their own resurrection and eternal life.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that God's original plan for humanity did not include suffering or death. This was forfeited by Adam's disobedience, but God did not abandon humanity. He sent his son, Jesus, to assure us that suffering and death will eventually end for those who believe. Jesus' death and resurrection are thus a source of hope and a promise of freedom from suffering and death, as described in Revelation 21:1, 4: "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth... He [God] will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more."
The Christian understanding of suffering is that it can be used for good and transformed into an act of worship and love for God. By uniting our suffering with Christ's, we become more like him and play a role in our own salvation and that of others. This is echoed in St. Peter's words: "Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps."
In conclusion, Jesus' death and resurrection are at the heart of the Christian message of hope and salvation. Through his sacrifice, Jesus redeemed human suffering and conquered death, assuring believers that their own suffering and death will eventually cease, giving way to eternal life.
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Suffering can be used for good and transformed into an act of worship
Suffering is an inevitable part of life, and it can often leave people questioning God and feeling anguished. However, the Catholic Church teaches that suffering can be used for good and transformed into an act of worship.
Firstly, it is important to understand that God does not cause suffering, but simply permits it. This is because God is all-knowing, all-loving, and all-powerful. He is aware of every pain we feel and would not allow something that would keep us from our ultimate good, which is Him.
The Catholic Church teaches that suffering can be offered up to God as a sacrifice, as St. Paul teaches: "I urge you, brothers and sisters...to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship" (Rom. 12:1). This act of worship is an expression of love for God, which will be rewarded with eternal life in heaven. By uniting our suffering with Christ's, we become more like Him.
Suffering can also be seen as an opportunity to participate in our future blessedness. As St. Paul writes, "If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together" (1 Cor. 12:26). This means that suffering can bring people together and allow them to show their trust in God.
Furthermore, Jesus himself suffered on the cross, conquering evil with good and redeeming suffering. He invites us to share in His Passion, giving meaning to our suffering. As Pope St. John Paul II wrote, "Christ has raised human suffering to the level of the Redemption. Thus each man, in his suffering, can also become a sharer in the redemptive suffering of Christ."
In conclusion, while suffering is never easy, Catholics can find meaning and purpose in it by uniting their suffering with Christ's and offering it to God as an act of worship and love.
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God brings good out of evil
God does not cause suffering, but he permits it to happen. God is all-knowing, all-loving, and all-powerful. He is aware of every pain we feel and loves us more than we love ourselves. God's plan was to preserve humans from suffering and death, but Adam forfeited this gift through his disobedience. God sent his son, Jesus, to assure us through his death and resurrection that all suffering and death will eventually cease for those who believe. Jesus conquered evil with good, and he invites us to share in his passion, giving meaning to our suffering.
Christians can always maintain hope that God will bring good out of evil and suffering. This is a principle confirmed by St. Paul in his letter to the Romans. For example, in the book of Genesis, Joseph, who was betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery, trusted God and was eventually elevated to the right hand of the Pharaoh. Upon meeting his brothers many years later, he told them, "As for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today" (Gen. 50:20).
Suffering can lead to a total dependence on God and submission to his will. It can also play a role in our salvation and help others obtain salvation. St. Paul writes, "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of the body, that is, the church" (Col 1:24). By uniting our suffering with Christ's, we become like him, offering it to God in self-sacrificial love.
In conclusion, while God does not cause suffering, he permits it and brings good out of it. This is a central tenet of the Christian faith, providing hope and meaning to suffering through Jesus Christ and the promise of eternal life.
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Suffering can be a means of redemption
Suffering is an inevitable part of life, and it is during these moments of weakness that we can become our strongest if we learn to depend on God. While God does not cause suffering, He permits it, and He can bring good out of evil.
Christians believe that Jesus has redeemed suffering and made it a source of redemption and eternal life. By uniting our suffering with Christ's, we can share in His Passion and find meaning in our suffering. This is known as redemptive suffering, and it transforms suffering into a means of redemption.
St. Paul writes about this in his letters, expressing joy in sharing in the sufferings of Christ. He states, "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church" (Col 1:24). By uniting our suffering with Christ's, we can help others obtain salvation.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that God's original plan for humanity did not include suffering or death. However, through his obedience, Jesus assured us that all suffering and death will eventually cease for those who believe.
In conclusion, while suffering is inevitable, it can be a means of redemption through our unity with Christ. By offering our suffering to God, we can find meaning and purpose, and take part in the redemption He has offered us.
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Frequently asked questions
Human suffering is a result of original sin. God does not cause suffering, but permits it. God is all-knowing, all-loving, and all-powerful. He can bring good out of evil.
You can show compassion, listen to their pain, and be willing to suffer with them.
Christ has opened His sufferings to us. He invites us to share in His Passion. By uniting our suffering with Christ’s, we can become like Him and love others as He loves them.
