Suffering How Do We Respond? By Lane Jordan Burday
Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble (Job 14:1).
I know this is not a happy verse to start this article! But the book of Job is full of the everyday pain and suffering you may have had to endure. So, the main question is, why is there suffering? You might ask that question when you hear of hurricanes, mudslides, earthquakes, and other disasters taking people’s lives.
Or recently, the horrific invasion of Israel. Consider some of these reasons.
We can’t escape the laws that govern our universe. We need such things as gravity, weather, and fire to survive, but they can lead to tragedy. And sin cursed the earth and its people, including disease and death (Genesis 3:15-24).
We also need to realize that Satan is called the “prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2). Satan can cause many of these disasters. Remember, the main goal of Satan is to destroy everything that God has created and holds dear.
Jesus said in John 2:31, “Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.”
In other words, Satan rules the air and the world until Christ returns, but not completely. God is still sovereign. But it does mean that God, in His infinite wisdom, has allowed Satan to operate in this world within the boundaries God has set for him. When the Bible says Satan has power over the world, we must remember that God has only given him domain over unbelievers. Believers are no longer under the rule of Satan! (Colossians 1:13).
Satan rules over the unbelieving world in a specific way. In 2 Corinthians 4:4, the unbeliever follows Satan’s agenda. “The god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ.” Satan’s scheme includes promoting false philosophies in the world that blind the unbeliever to the truth of the Gospel. He holds captive those who can only be set free by Christ.
As Job discovered, God’s world is a fallen place. When we see suffering, we can use it as an opportunity to serve God by helping others, trusting Him despite the difficulty, and growing in our faith in Him. But there is some beauty in Job, which starts in chapter 38. Because after God said the following to Job, he fell on his face in great humility. God knows. God is in control. And we aren’t. We must walk in faith and trust.
Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Who marked off its dimensions?…Who stretched a measuring line across it?…Who laid its cornerstone – while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?…
My prayer for you is to trust God no matter what happens in your life. I know many of you have had disasters and deaths that no one can understand your pain. But I also know God does know and promises to comfort and hold you. Forever.
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Lane P. Jordan is the best-selling and award-winning author of over ten books.
Find her latest fiction book Evangeline, based on the story of Esther, on Amazon, as well as her books on becoming more organized. She is an international speaker, life coach, Bible teacher for over 20 years, writer, and artist. She has served as Associate Producer for the program In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley and is also a part of the Pearls of Promise Ministries team. You can find her at: www.LaneJordanMinistries.com