One of the oldest books in the world states, "Man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward"(Job 5:7). Never have these words been truer than today.

The whole world is sighing and suffering on a scale perhaps not known in human history. Suffering is the common lot of all people everywhere- believers and non-believers alike. Some people have the mistaken idea that becoming a Christian will be shelter from the personal storms of life. The story of many of our hymns will swiftly dispel this myth. A large number of our favorite hymns aid spiritual songs were composed in the crucible of life.

But we have a human tendency to wonder why the person who loves God and tries to live an exemplary Christian life has to suffer physically, psychologically, or any other way, during this time on earth.

The suffering of believers has baffled Jews and Christians since the earliest days. Job is the classic example of a suffering believer. There was an extremely important reason for his suffering. Job did not know it while be was going through. Job did not have the Book of Job to comfort him as we do! Daniel was placed in the lions' den; Shedrach, Meshach and Abednego were bound and thrown into a furnace; Joseph was cast into prison; Moses had to flee from Egypt and live away from everything he had known for forty years. The reason for all these things was not known at the time. It had to be seen in retrospect. None of us will ever know the full meaning of why believers suffer until we get to Heaven. If our believing forefathers were not exempt, why should we? We can get a few glimpses here and there in the scriptures as to why believers are not exempt from suffering. We are also given some definite reasons.

1. Believers suffer because they're human: The fact that we believe Christ does not mean that we are exempt from illness, heartaches, natural disasters, tragedies and ultimately death. Of course, we bear of believers who have been miraculously delivered or healed. Equally, we hear of others who go through the fires of affliction as, for example, Paul did with his "thorn in the flesh". But it is not all mystery. We hear the Lord saying to Paul in effect: "There's a reason for this thorn in the flesh. It is so you will not be exalted above measure. But you will find that my grace is sufficient to enable you to endure it." (2Cor.l2: 7-10). Thus, God's people are not exempted from disasters, troubles and illness. These things are the common lot of mankind and we are involved in them because we share the human experience just as Christ did.

2.Often Christians suffer because they deserve it: Suffering comes when we sin and disobey God. If a child of God loses his temper, tells a lie, or commits a sin of any kind, he will suffer God's chastisement or "judgement" (see I Cor. 11:28-32; I Peter 4:17-19). Just as a child needs corrections, so God's children need correcting. (Heb.12: 5-11). Due to our carelessness or indifference, or being unloving or unfaithful in our Christian life or if we neglect our responsibilities-we will suffer the consequences-if not immediately, later on.

3. Because there is no Christian fallout shelter: Christians are not exempt from suffering because if they were, non-Christians would beat a path to the Church door as though it were a fallout shelter. These days many preachers are falsely promising a life free from troubles, difficulties and anxieties, common to all if people "just believe in Jesus"! But the true followers of Christ are those who go through suffering to prove their faith. (I Pet. 1:6-9; 2Tim.3:l0-12).

4. God uses suffering and trials to discipline us: The Lord Jesus says in Rev. 3:19, "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline". God has His divine plan for shaping our live and that plan often includes suffering. The fire of chastening purifies our lives and deepens our spirit. (Ps. 119:67,71). If our Savior was made " Perfect through sufferings"(Heb. 2:10), how can we expect to escape?

5. There is profit from discipline: We can determine to profit from the experience of suffering, bearing it patiently and learning from it, rather than fighting it. This is what Job concluded: "When He has tested me, I will come forth as gold" (Job 23:10). That is reacting positively to testing, building on it, rather than criticizing it for interfering with life's normal pattern.

6. To keep us humble and on our knees: God allows the fires of tribulation to come into our lives in order to make us, and keep us humble. He could have delivered Paul from that 'thorn in the flesh", but He refused all of Paul's request for relief and instead promised His grace. Nothing will drive us to our knees quicker than trouble. Without the experience of suffering or affliction of some kind, we would never become the prayer warriors we should be. (James 5:13,17).

7. To teach us patience: According to James in his letter (1:2-4), trials produce patience and other good Christian virtues come out of it to make us complete in our spiritual life. And Peter says it is commendable before God as we learn to endure the suffering in our lives (I Pet. 2:20). The writer of Hebrews also urges his readers who were being persecuted for their faith, to remember Christ's example of suffering. (12:2,3). Yes, consider Him! In our sufferings and tribulations Jesus Himself must be our chief consideration. We must fix our eyes upon Him. He who suffered for us shows us how we are to bear our sufferings. God wants to help when we suffer. He can give us His presence of comfort, His power for endurance, His purpose, so that we might gain insight into our situation. And He can produce within us valuable qualities that will strengthen and mold our lives. Nothing can touch the child of God without His permission. So we accept each hurt, each problem, each difficulty as from His hand, seeking to learn from it all that He would teach us-using all the resources of God at our disposal and asking Him to make it turn out for our good and His glory. Amen!