Being a Christian is easy when life is smooth. But what happens when your world is shaken? When you’re in the middle of grief, heartbreak, loss, or trials you never saw coming, can you still trust God?
How do you comfort someone going through unimaginable pain when you’ve never walked in their shoes? And most of all, how do we respond to the age-old question: “If God is good and powerful, why does He allow suffering?”
In this article, we’ll explore 7 reasons to trust God during suffering—reasons grounded in Scripture, truth, and the hope we have in Christ. Whether you’re walking through trials now or helping someone else, these truths will help you find strength and purpose in the pain.
1️⃣ Suffering Reveals What’s in Our Hearts
Suffering doesn’t just hurt—it exposes us.
Trials have a unique way of bringing hidden attitudes to the surface. Pride, fear, bitterness, selfishness—things we may not even realize are there—suddenly rise up when we’re under pressure. But at the same time, so do love, perseverance, faith, and mercy.
Think of gold refined in fire or diamonds formed under pressure. In the same way, God allows suffering to refine and reveal what’s inside us. The Bible shows that strength of character is not proven in easy seasons but in hardship.
Scriptures to Reflect On:
- Job 42:1-17
- James 1:2-5
- Romans 5:3-5
- 1 Peter 1:6-8
2️⃣ Suffering Loosens Our Grip on This World
We often hold tightly to the things of this world—success, youth, comfort, and control. But suffering reminds us that this world is temporary. Aging, loss, disease, and death all shout one truth: we’re not meant to live here forever.
As our bodies grow weak and our dreams fade, we start longing for eternity. The pain of this life can actually prepare our hearts for the next one—where there’s no more sorrow, sickness, or death.
Read Ecclesiastes 12:1-14 and see how King Solomon reflects on the beauty and brevity of life.
3️⃣ Suffering Comes With the Freedom to Choose
Why didn’t God just create a world without suffering? Because a world without choice would be a world without love.
God didn’t create us as robots. He gave us the freedom to choose good or evil, life or death (Deuteronomy 30:15–20). And unfortunately, much of the suffering in the world comes from people choosing sin, selfishness, and destruction.
But even in our poor choices—or the harm caused by others—God gives us the ability to turn back to Him. He doesn’t force us, but He lovingly invites us.
Also read:
- Genesis 2–3
- Romans 5:12–21
4️⃣ Pain Is Often a Warning Signal
We may hate pain, but it’s often a gift in disguise.
Without pain, we wouldn’t know something is wrong. A fever signals infection. A broken heart may point us back to God. Even consequences like jail time or discipline exist to curb behavior and redirect us before things get worse.
C.S. Lewis once said, “Pain is God’s megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” It awakens us to danger—and to our need for Him.
Consider King Solomon’s later years. Despite his wisdom, he drifted into idolatry and excess. But through pain, he was brought back to truth.
Study:
- Ecclesiastes 1–12
- Psalm 78:34–35
- Romans 3:10–18
5️⃣ God Suffers With Us
When we’re hurting, it’s easy to feel like God is distant. But the truth is—no one has suffered more than God Himself.
God grieves over sin and pain. And in Jesus, He didn’t stay far away. He entered into our suffering. On the cross, Christ experienced rejection, betrayal, physical agony, and the weight of the world’s sin.
Jesus knows your pain intimately. He is not a God who watches from afar—He is Emmanuel, “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). And He promises to walk with you through the fire.
Relevant Scriptures:
- 1 Peter 2:21
- 1 Peter 3:18
- 1 Peter 4:1
6️⃣ We Discover Each Other in Crisis
Pain has a way of uniting people.
During times of natural disasters, tragedies, and loss, we see strangers become families. Crisis reminds us of what truly matters—faith, people, and purpose. We suddenly see our need for community, empathy, and compassion.
Remember Hurricane Katrina in 2005? Amidst the devastation, countries united to help. People gave. Neighbors loved. Churches mobilized. Tragedy became a platform for unity and restoration.
Pain reminds us that we’re not alone. And most of all, it draws our eyes toward heaven.
7️⃣ God Uses Suffering for Good
The Bible is full of stories where God turned suffering into something beautiful.
- Job lost everything—but God restored him and used his story to comfort generations.
- Joseph was betrayed and imprisoned—but it was all part of God’s plan to save lives.
- Jesus suffered and died—but through it, we gained eternal life.
God doesn’t waste pain. He redeems it. Even when we can’t see it yet, He’s working all things for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28).
Final Thoughts: Trusting God in Your Trials
So why should we trust God when life hurts?
Because He’s still God—even in the valley. Because His grace is still sufficient—even in weakness. And because eternity is still our hope, even when life feels broken.
The apostle Paul begged God to remove his suffering. But God replied, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Pain and hardship aren’t the end. They’re a doorway to deeper faith, a reminder that this world is not our home, and an invitation to trust in the One who holds all things together.
Let suffering drive you closer to Christ, not away from Him. And know this: when you choose to trust God in your suffering, you’re not wasting your pain. You’re planting it into a future harvest of eternal joy.
Key Takeaway:
You can trust God in suffering because He is with you, He understands, and He is working through your pain for His eternal purpose.
Call to Action:
Are you or someone you know struggling with trials or heartache?
? Leave a comment below and let us pray with you.
? Share this post with someone who needs encouragement today.
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Recommended Resource:
Walking with God through Pain and Suffering by Timothy Keller
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Prodigal Prophet Timothy Keller comes the definitive Christian book on why bad things happen and how we should respond to them.
The question of why God would allow pain and suffering in the world has vexed believers and nonbelievers for millennia.
Timothy Keller, whose books have sold millions of copies to both religious and secular readers, takes on this enduring issue and shows that there is meaning and reason behind our pain and suffering.
Keller makes a forceful and ground-breaking case that this essential part of the human experience can be overcome only by understanding our relationship with God.
As the pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, Timothy Keller is known for his unique insights into religion and culture. Keller’s series of books has guided countless readers in their spiritual journeys.
Walking with God through Pain and Suffering uses biblical wisdom and personal stories of overcoming adversity to bring a much-needed, fresh viewpoint to this important issue.
What an inspiring and encouraging article.
Pain and discomfort do not please the flesh, yet we can learn, grow, and overcome any circumstances through God as our helper.
The flesh wants what it wants and in pain and suffering, the flesh can fall under submission. Life is a journey with many twists and turns and highs and lows.
No one likes to go through hard times but I can’t imagine not having God there in those times. It is clear we need him the most.
However, some people’s faith wane during suffering. This is why we need one another to motivate, lift up, and encourage.
We are to be the hands and feet of Jesus here on earth to anyone who needs it.
That’s very true, Dana; it’s during suffering that our faith as Christians gets tested.
But we must take courage because God promised to never leave us nor forsake us.
Let us then continue to encourage one another even as we see the Day approaching.
Thanks for commenting, God bless you!
I loved reading your wonderful perspectives, Alice, to broaden my understanding of why we go through suffering and how to keep and strengthen our faith during these difficult times.
I often hear from lapsed Christians or non-believers about their reasons for not believing in God or Christianity. If it is not indifference, it is often the old chestnut of “If there was a God, he wouldn’t allow so much war and suffering.”
I believe your article answers this well.
Perhaps you can add some elaboration on the suffering caused by man from war – or perhaps that is a separate article!
I used to think of Jesus carrying the cross whenever I struggle with my obstacles, challenges, and sufferings in life.
But your article has added a lot more perspectives to reflect on.
Thank you and God bless you in your works,
Jonn
Thank you for taking the time to read the article, John, and for leaving a comment.
I understand why some people question God for allowing war and suffering.
In regard to war, I’d say that this again is a result of man making a choice. I hope you agree with me that wars result from conflicts between nations.
In the case of Russia and Ukraine; we may have differing opinions as to the “real” reason why it happened but the result is the same — the suffering of innocent people.
While the people in power benefit from wars (i.e. they make lots of money selling weapons of war), more people suffer as a result of chaos, famine, etc.
There is a lot more I want to say here. But I think it would be better to cover this topic in a separate post.
God bless you more, John!
Brilliantly put Alice, thank you!
I strongly believe that it is through pain that we find love, and through loss that we find salvation. The shackles of greed are miserable, and the righteous walk barefoot though their path is rocky.
Thank you for an inspiring lesson today. I pray that your sufferings are kept small and that grace leads you.
A relative of my partner is in their last days of life (cancer), so I will try and lift them with the message of God.
Are there any particular psalms I could bring up in conversation? He is a devoted Christian.
Peace be with you, Alice.
Russell
Hi Russell,
I’m sorry to hear about your partner’s relative. I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to comfort not only the sick and suffering but their family as well.
Fortunately, the Scriptures are full of comforting words that we can share with them, and Psalms 38:1-22 is a good one. This was David’s prayer when he was suffering from an illness.
Thanks for stopping by.