Why Do You Have to Suffer so Many Struggles?

Over the many, many years that I’ve been saved, it has been during my worst times of suffering, that I profoundly spiritually grew and was blessed with the most urgently needed changes within me that I could have never made on my own. Did I enjoy the struggles of suffering? Absolutely NOT! I did, however, receive Jesus’ peace that extends beyond human understanding, and new Godly wisdom on the best ways to navigate the storms.

Grab on to a good Christian recovery coach to walk alongside you for prayer and guidance.

Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,  that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.  (1 Peter 4:1,2)

Suffering serves several profound purposes:

1. Spiritual Refinement: The Bible views suffering as a process of spiritual purification. Like gold refined by fire, believers are transformed through trials, developing perseverance, character, and deeper faith. James 1:2-4 describes this as “pure joy,” where challenges produce spiritual maturity.
2. Testing and Strengthening Faith: Suffering tests and reveals the genuineness of one’s faith. The Book of Job illustrates how trials can demonstrate faith’s resilience when worldly comforts are stripped away. These experiences prove faith isn’t dependent on circumstances but on trust in God.
3. Developing Compassion: Experiencing suffering enables believers to empathize with and comfort others. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 suggests that God comforts people in their troubles so they can subsequently comfort others.
4. Spiritual Growth: Suffering often drives individuals to deeper dependence on God, encouraging prayer, humility, and spiritual insight. Romans 5:3-5 explains that suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope.
5. Divine Redemptive Purpose: Ultimately, biblical theology sees suffering as part of God’s larger redemptive plan, paralleling Christ’s suffering, which brought salvation. Believers are invited to participate in understanding Christ’s sacrificial nature through their own challenges.

James 1:2-4: Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

These perspectives frame suffering not as meaningless pain, but as a transformative spiritual journey with potential for profound personal and communal growth.

Romans 5:3-5: Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

The more we struggle, the more we grow to live according to God’s purpose for us. Have a blessed rest of your day as we all grow together and trust God more and more.