Suffering is a consistent theme in Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, but philosophers who view all earthly life as “bloody in tooth and claw” reject the possibility of God because, they argue, God would not permit pain and suffering.
The prophet Daniel offers a different perspective. Describing a period of great conflict on earth, he declared that in the midst of chaos “the people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits” (“doing exploits” means to act valiantly—11:32).
Daniel’s prophetic insight hints at the answer to the question: Why do we suffer? Why is so much strife and bloodshed evident in the world, where the strong prey on the weak, and sickness in a multitude of forms adds to the chaos? Only Scripture provides a coherent answer; and only Scripture goes on to reveal an ultimate purpose that God alone could devise.
The original purpose of Creation as outlined in the opening chapters of Genesis was generally to reflect God’s glory, and specifically to establish a mutually pleasing relationship with beings made in the moral image of God. A prerequisite for such a relationship was its foundation on free-will choice, without which God’s glory could be seen, but not understood or appreciated.
That first relationship was shattered when Adam and Eve freely chose to exercise their will against God’s will. Moral darkness entered the humans, and carnal darkness covered the earth as God immediately withdrew His superintending presence from the perfection He had created. Chaos erupted in bloody carnage that has endured for thousands of years.
And yet, God’s original purpose was never abandoned! When the end of the story is told His glory shines brighter even as appreciation of it is magnified in the descendants of Adam and Eve who choose to recover not only their original status but something far greater—indeed, something so great that only the mind of God could conceive it: being conformed to His image and sharing His glory.
To accomplish His purpose, the Creator entered His broken creation in the form of a human, first immersing Himself in the darkness before absorbing it, becoming one with it. It was a divine act of mercy and grace incomprehensible to darkness that crushed darkness under the weight of God’s inherent Glory.
This unique victory is available to all who will freely receive it. But Adam’s race, still blinded by darkness, struggles to imagine such grace and glory and must be taught by the example of others like them, yet unlike them. This is why God invites “people that do know their God” to suffer! For a select few, the suffering may be intense—full immersion in the darkness of pain and weakness and discomfort—so that others trapped there may be attracted to the glorious light within them, shining through the darkness, despite the darkness.
The Apostle Paul understood, joyfully declaring: Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-11).