Why do the righteous suffer?

A book title comes to mind, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” by Harold S. Kushner. I must ask a definition of ‘bad’ and ‘good’? If we consider the plan of God, can we really know?

I tend to ask the opposite: Why do good things happen to bad people? If we look at how God measures good, none of us should take another breath! We live each day by the grace of God, not because we are good, but because God loves us — despite ourselves.

That said, the book I am reading, “Exploring the New Testament” writes that Paul seems to be a friend and spiritual adviser to his spiritual children in Thessalonica who are trouble with afflictions and tribulations and perplexed as to why such things should happen to them.

This is so common in Christianity that we echo Kushner’s title. Why do the righteous suffer? As I read through the Bible each year, I happen to be in the Old Testament book of Job. He was a righteous man who suffered losses beyond what most of us will ever suffer. He asked the same question. Does God care? Why was he targeted to lose everything, including his children and his health? His ‘friends’ said he must have sinned in some way and was being punished.

They could have been correct; chastening is one reason God allows suffering. In a passage about qualifications for taking communion, the New Testament says:

“Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.” (1 Corinthians 11:28–32)

However, this was not the case with Job. Satan had challenged God saying that faith in Him only holds if He blesses His people with prosperity. He added that Job would stop trusting God if he was not blessed. God allowed the test. To make it legitimate, Job had no idea what was happening, just that he seemed to be suffering for no reason.

Another reason for trials (which can cause suffering) is that it builds virtue. James wrote:

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2–4)

Perhaps our biggest problem with suffering is that the enemy uses it to raise questions in our minds, the biggest one being, “Does God care?” This was basically what the snake suggested to Adam and Eve in the garden, both before and after they ate the forbidden fruit. It was his way of diverting their trust in God. Instead of measuring it by God’s character and promises, they began to measure the love and care of God by their own understanding of good and evil and by their comfort level.

The Christians at Thessalonica were doing that too. Persecution hit them by surprise. It ran contrary to their new joy and peace that came with faith in Jesus Christ. Paul answered their fears by reminding them that he also was hit by the same discomforting treatment:

“For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.” (1 Thessalonians 2:1–2)

He also told them earlier that it would happen:

“. . . we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know.” (1 Thessalonians 3:2–4)

The purpose of suffering can be understood by looking at Jesus. He came from a perfect place into a disgusting and sin-filled world, a place of suffering. He was misunderstood, mocked and eventually crucified. Yet this was the plan of God. Because Jesus was willing to suffer, we have the offer of eternal life through faith in Him. God used suffering to redeem sinners. Without it, we would perish and be lost from God forever.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Lord Jesus, my ideas of suffering are slowly changing. I love comfort and yet realize that You are far more concerned about godliness and that I love and serve You. If I put comfort on the throne, it becomes a diversion and distraction, if not an idol. Trusting You no matter what does not alleviate suffering but does put it in a different place, a place of testing but also of purpose. The best part is what my mom always said about bad weather and everything else: “We must need it or we would not be getting it.” Thank You for faith to trust You when bad things happen.