What does the Bible say about suffering?
The Bible refuses easy answers about suffering. Job demands an explanation and gets a presence instead. Paul says suffering 'produces perseverance, character, hope.' Jesus himself is described as 'a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief.' Scripture never trivializes pain — it sits inside it, and points to a God who is closer in suffering than in comfort.
Our light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory.
Bible verses about suffering
"And not only so, but we also rejoice in our tribulations: knowing that tribulation worketh stedfastness; and stedfastness, approvedness; and approvedness, hope: and hope putteth not to shame; because the love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given unto us."
"For our light affliction, which is for the moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory;"
"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us-ward."
"And the God of all grace, who called you unto his eternal glory in Christ, after that ye have suffered a little while, shall himself perfect, establish, strengthen you."
"He was despised, and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and as one from whom men hide their face he was despised; and we esteemed him not."
"Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into manifold temptations; knowing that the proving of your faith worketh patience. And let patience have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing."
"Jehovah is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart, And saveth such as are of a contrite spirit."
Frequently asked
Why does God allow suffering?
Scripture gives multiple answers — the broken state of the world (Romans 8), the formation of character (Romans 5, James 1), and a coming restoration (Revelation 21) — but never a single tidy explanation.
Moments
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Short, situation-specific pages — pray these in the exact moment.
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