Faithful Steward Ministries and FSM Women's Outreach

In the Epistle to the Hebrews, the doctrine of suffering is put in this way: “All chastening seems for the present to be not joyous–but grievous: yet afterward it yields peaceable fruit unto them that have been exercised thereby, even the fruit of righteousness.”

Lifes Byways and Waysides – Grace Gems! – by J.R. Miller, 1907

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Today we begin a multi-part series on human suffering and God’s role in it. Over the next few weeks, I hope to explore and expand the Doctrine of Suffering to gain at least a basic understanding of it.

Part I: The Intro

Part II: Bible Hub study series, definitions, and theology

Part III: devotional-type studies

Part IV: recommended reading (ebooks)

Part V: sermons (Sundays only).

As always, I sincerely desire that this and every post will bless you and encourage you to dig deep into the riches of God’s Holy Word.

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Depicted are symbols of what Jesus suffered in crucifixion, so that he may die and become our Risen Savior. They remind us that in all our “suffering,” nothing compares to that of He who was sinless and took on our sin burden so we may live. Throughout this study, we must hold this to the forefront of our minds.

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A Man of Sorrows ~

By Deborah Ann Belka

A Man of sorrows,
rejected and despised
unloved, unwanted
loathed and chastised.

A Man of our sufferings,
acquainted with affliction
grief, pain, anguish
trials and conviction.

A Man of our rebuke,
mournful and isolated
dejected, forgotten, beaten
set apart and terminated.

A Man of our diseases,
illnesses and sickness
maladies, disorders, decay
rebellion and brokenness.

A Man of sorrows,
sufferings and deceptions
A Man called Jesus . . .
died for our transgressions!

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Isaiah 53.3-5

He is despised and rejected of men;
a man of sorrows,
and acquainted with grief:
and we hid as it were our faces
from him; he was despised, and we
esteemed him not.

Surely he hath borne our griefs,
and carried our sorrows:
yet we did esteem
him stricken, smitten of God,
and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our
transgressions,
he was bruised for our iniquities:

The chastisement of our
peace was upon him;
and with his stripes
we are healed”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2025
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to GOD be the GLORY ~

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COMMENTS/INTRO

How many times have you heard ‘how could a compassionate God allow pain and suffering’ or something close to that? Or maybe it was, ‘How could your God allow innocent people to suffer? These questions used to be exclusive to Gentiles (non-believers), but more and more we are hearing them from self-proclaimed (born-again) believers.

Two things are happening here: for the gentile it is total ignorance. They know nothing, beyond a cursory glance, about the Bible or what it says about suffering. That does not mean they have an excuse upon death, far from it. Their deceitful heart may blind them to the whole truth, but they know enough that their actions condemn them.

For those claiming to be saved, the situation, in my opinion, is much worse. Their claim and their understanding of scripture do not match up. Look at what Jesus said to Peter in Matthew 15:16, or here in Mark 8:14-21 (AMP)

¹⁴ Now the disciples had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. ¹⁵ Jesus repeatedly ordered them, saying, “Watch out! Beware of the ^[c]leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” ¹⁶ They began discussing this with one another, saying, “It is because we have no bread [that He said this].” ¹⁷ Jesus, aware of this [discussion], said to them, “Why are you discussing [the fact] that you have no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? ¹⁸ Though you have eyes, do you not see? And though you have ears, do you not hear and listen [to what I have said]? And do you not remember, ¹⁹ when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces you picked up?” They answered, “Twelve.” ²⁰ “And [when I broke] the seven [loaves] for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of broken pieces did you pick up?” And they answered, “Seven.” ²¹ And He was saying to them, “Do you still not understand?”

You have been a Christian for 5, 10, 20+ years, and you still can not explain any piece of the Doctrine of Suffering. Again, I see two issues here: one, you are in the wrong church that does not consider Biblical studies, preaching, and teaching a priority, or you are not doing your part to be an approved workman.

Let me be clear: I am not finger-pointing; I am highlighting what I see as a lack of focus on apologetics in evangelical churches today. I know I have emphasized this often, but it deserves repeating; it is a Christian’s duty and responsibility to defend their faith (see 1 Peter 3:12-16). Think about it this way: would any employer allow someone they take on as an apprentice to keep them on the payroll after 5 years if they still didn’t have the basics of the job down pat? Of course not! We are in God’s Army, His employ as witnesses on the earth to those in the dark world of sin. Surely we can take the time to wean ourselves off milk and move into the solid, nourishing food of Scripture.

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20 Quotes from Walking with God through Pain and Suffering – Quotes from Tim Keller’s new book, Walking with God through Pain and Suffering – Recommended Reading book

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Suffering Quotes – [109] Theology Quotes

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