How God Uses Suffering for Good

Read Luke 13:1-9.

In Jesus’ time it was commonly taught that suffering is always judgment. For example, when Jesus’ disciples encountered a man born blind, they asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (John 9:2). And Jesus took time to correct this false understanding of God’s Word. Truly, He offered a wake-up call—offensive to those who believed they had no need to repent.

But before we turn to Jesus’ correction, let’s be reminded of the ways God uses our suffering in this world for our good.

First, suffering helps to purify God’s children. Just as fire cleanses and purifies, so too are we purified by times of suffering (see Romans 5:3-4).

Second, suffering brings us closer to God. Paul endured that which was “far beyond [his] ability to endure” by relying on God (2 Corinthians 1:8). God is with us, strengthening us and comforting us.

Third, suffering empowers us to have compassion on others who suffer. As God comforts us in suffering, we are equipped to then comfort others (see 2 Corinthians 1:4).

Finally, suffering prepares us to bear more fruit. When we have that peace that transcends understanding in situations the world says should crush us, it bears witness to the eternal hope we have in our sovereign, faithful God. So let your affliction polish your testimony.

Goaded by Jesus’ hard teaching, the crowd in Luke 11 tried to highlight their righteousness by bringing up two recent disasters that, in their eyes, were clear indications that those who suffered had deserved it (see Luke 13:1-5). The crowd wanted Jesus to affirm their belief system and their piety. But His response took them all by surprise.

Jesus made it clear that those who died were not worse sinners than those who survived. He assured the crowd (and us) that we are living on borrowed time; we all need to repent. It is only because of His astounding love that God allows sinners to live. He is patient because He longs for us to respond to His merciful invitation to receive salvation through His Son. All tragedies are loving warnings to turn to the Lord and escape the righteous judgment that is coming.

Prayer: Father, help me to see seasons of suffering as opportunities to draw near to You and point others to the hope of glory through Jesus Christ. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.