A Brief Theology of Suffering.
Suffering is one of the most universal human experiences and one of the most deeply theological. Every person, at some point, encounters pain, loss, sickness, injustice, or grief. The question is not whether we will suffer, but how we understand suffering and how we respond to it. Let me take a few minutes to walk us through a simple, historic Christian understanding of suffering.
Suffering Entered Through the Fall
The Bible teaches that suffering was not part of GOD’s original creation. In the beginning, GOD created a world that was good, full of harmony between humanity, GOD, and creation. But in Genesis three, sin entered the world. And with sin came disorder, pain, and death. So suffering is not something GOD delights in, it is the result of a broken world. It is real, but it is not ultimate. It is a distortion of what GOD intended. So if suffering comes from a broken world, the next question is, where is GOD in it?
Christ Enters Into Our Suffering
The Christian answer is not just an explanation, but a Person—Jesus Christ. GOD does not remain distant from our pain. In Jesus, He enters into it. He experiences hunger, rejection, betrayal, suffering, and death. At the cross, suffering is not ignored, it is carried. And through the resurrection, it is transformed into a place where we can encounter GOD. Because Jesus suffered, our suffering is no longer meaningless. It becomes a place where we can encounter Him.
But that raises another question: if GOD is present in suffering, is He still in control?
God is Sovereign Over Suffering
The Christian tradition says: yes GOD is sovereign, even over suffering. In Job one-verse-twenty-one we read,
“The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
This does not mean GOD enjoys suffering, but it does mean nothing is outside His rule.
And if GOD is sovereign, then suffering must have some purpose in our lives.
Suffering as Union with Christ
Scripture teaches that suffering can actually draw us closer to Christ. Paul says in Philippians three-verse-ten that we
“share in His sufferings.”
This doesn’t mean suffering is good in itself. But when we walk through it with faith, it becomes a place of transformation. In the Orthodox tradition, this is part of theosis—being shaped into deeper union with GOD. Suffering refines us, humbles us, and teaches us dependence on Him.
And that leads directly into how suffering forms us.
Suffering Has Purpose in Sanctification
GOD uses suffering to grow us. To shape and mature His people. Romans five says suffering produces endurance, character, and hope. James one says trials make us mature and complete. Suffering is not wasted. As Martin Luther said,
“Suffering is the true badge of the Christian.”
But it’s not just about growth, it’s also about healing.
Suffering and the Healing of the Soul
In the historic Christian view— especially in Orthodoxy—salvation is not just forgiveness, it is healing. Sin wounds the soul, and Christ is the healer. Suffering, as painful as it is, can reveal what is broken inside us. Suffering can expose the deeper issues of the heart and become part of GOD’s restoring work through repentance, prayer, and grace. And through GOD’s grace, it becomes part of the healing process.
Spiritual practices help us endure suffering with hope and transformation. GOD meets us in that place.
And finally, all of this only makes sense in light of where the story is going.
Hope in the Resurrection
Suffering does not have the final word. Jesus’ resurrection guarantees ultimate restoration. The final word on suffering is not pain, it is resurrection. Second Corinthians four-verse-seventeen says,
“This light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory.”
Revelation twenty-one-verse-four promises that one day GOD will wipe away every tear, and death will be no more. So the Christian hope is not that suffering disappears now, but that it will be defeated forever.
From an Orthodox perspective, suffering is not meaningless, and it is not the final reality. It exists because of the brokenness of the world, but through Jesus Christ, suffering can become a path toward transformation, humility, and communion with GOD. Remember, the Christian does not face suffering alone. Jesus has entered into human pain, conquered death through His resurrection, and walks with us through every trial.
So we hold these truths together:
Suffering is real.
GOD is present.
GOD is sovereign.
Suffering can transform us.
And one day, suffering will end. And until that day, we walk with Christ—who suffered for us, walks with us, and will one day make all things new.
On May seventeenth we will dive deeper into a Theology of Suffering and on April twelfth we will be looking at the Problem of Evil. We would love if you could join us for both.
Pastor Gerry Michalski