Why Do We Suffer

Why do we suffer? Suffering is not unknown to the elderly. These golden retirement years are not what we had imagined. Gone are the twenties and thirties when, for most of us, life was good, health-wise. We knew that the latter days would come but they were far away and therefore were not given much thought.

1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Romans 5:1-5, ESV

Why Do We Suffer?

Suffering Produces Endurance

Why do we suffer?

Why does God allow suffering, pain, and sorrow? If God can prevent such things in our lives, why does he allow them?

That is one of most frequent questions we hear relating to God. After all, if God is a God of love He should be able to prevent such things in our lives, especially in the lives of His children.

God does have a purpose for each of His children. He desires that we grow in the knowledge of Him and become more like Christ. In other words, God is sanctifying us so that we reflect the Lord Jesus. Romans tells us that suffering produces endurance.

What does endurance produce?

Endurance Produces Character

In Romans 5, we are beginning to see a pattern of growth. First comes endurance and then comes character.

We will never reach perfection in this life but, as believers in Christ, we begin to develop character - the character we see in Christ Jesus.

In our elderly years our focus begins to change. As we endure suffering and grow in the character of Christ, our eyes are focused on eternity to come. This life, with its sorrows and troubles is not all there is.

So, what does character produce?

Character Produces Hope

As the delights of this world decrease, our hope for the life to come increases.

Does that mean that we no longer enjoy this life? Of course not. With the elderly years comes many joys. In our retirement years we take great joy in our families - our children and grandchildren, and we find we have more time to reflect on God's Word and our life to come.

How exciting is that?

Suffering produces character and character produces hope. So what does hope produce?

Hope Does Not Put us to Shame

Hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Romans 5 goes on to say, in verse 8, God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Is that amazing or what? The Holy Spirit pours God's love into our hearts for we ponder the truth that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Our hope in Christ is strengthened. In other words, being elderly should cause our hearts and souls to look to Christ for our salvation. Now is the time to make sure we are saved. Now is also the time to pour out our love to God and learn to grow in our fellowship with Him in prayer.

Following this train of thought we understand that suffering produces peace and joy in Christ as we hope for our life to come. Our bodies are wearing out, but the joy in our souls is increasing. Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us:

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Crossway Bibles. The Holy Bible, English Standard Version

What an amazing God we serve! He loves us and cares for each one of His children. Let us rejoice in Him and live with His peace and joy in our hearts.

God Bless You,

Linda