God Wouldn't Let Me Suffer..Right?

Series: Lies Christians Like

Title: Theology of suffering.

Author: Titia James

Key: Video Scripture Slides Personal Stories

Introduction:

What’s up students, welcome back to Wednesday night! If we haven’t met yet, my name is [Name], and I get to serve as the student pastor here at the [Campus Name]. If we haven’t had a chance to talk, please come find me after small groups—I’d love to meet you and hear your story.

[SP Note: Tell a funny, relatable story about a time you suffered—but in a light, exaggerated, or ridiculous way. Think of something where the struggle felt real in the moment but looking back, it’s kind of hilarious.]

Growing up—believe it or not—I was an outside kid. I loved being in the dirt, catching frogs, doing all the outdoor things. One day, I was outside playing with my sister, and I don’t even know how it happened, but I remember falling and scraping my knee bad. I’m talking really bad—like, the pink skin was showing kind of bad.

So, I ran into the house, crying my eyes out, feeling like I was about to die 😂. My sister actually found some peroxide to put on it, and when she did, I screamed at the top of my lungs because it burned so bad. I honestly thought I was going to pass out from how much I was suffering 😂.

Transition: Okay, so maybe that wasn’t real suffering—but it felt like it at the time. And the truth is, whether it’s small stuff like that or real, painful struggles, how we respond matters. That’s what we’re talking about tonight—how we think about suffering, and what God is doing in it.

Now, before we dive in tonight, I want to kick things off with a little fun trivia. No phones, no Googling—just your brain. I’m going to put a lyric or a quote on the screen, and I want you to tell me: did the person say this or not? If you think the lyric or statement is correct, say “oh yeah!” If you think it isn’t, shout “No!” Here is the first one

[SP Note: Use whatever lyric or quote you want; these are just examples]

“I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling 32” – Taylor Swift

Did Taylor Swift say this? [give students time to respond] All you Taylor Swift fans know she did not say that.

Ok, next one

“The best time to wear a striped sweater is all the timeOne with a collar, turtleneck, that's the kind” – SpongeBob

One with a collar, turtleneck, that's the kind” – SpongeBob

Did SpongeBob actually say this? [give students time to respond] Yes, Spongebob did say that.

Alright, last one,

“Here on earth, you will not have many trials and sorrows.”

John 16:33b

Did Jesus say this? [give students time to response here]

Jesus did NOT say that. Here is what He actually said:

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

So, let’s talk about that tonight

Tension:

We’re in week 3 of our series, Lies Christians Like, where we unpack the false things, Christians often believe and speak. The reason WHY we’re talking about lies Christians like is because a lie believed as a truth will affect your life as if it were true.

And there are many of us who are being affected in our faith by lies that we believe about God.

Some of the BIGGEST lies that affects our relationship with God are the lies we believe about suffering. People have stopped following Jesus over this.

So, what is the truth about suffering? That’s what I want to answer tonight. We are going to address the lies we believe about suffering by talking about the truth we believe about suffering.

Theology of Suffering:

Let’s start here: Suffering exists because sin exists.

Not just because YOU sin, but because sin is in the world. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the garden, sin entered humanity—and with it came pain, brokenness, and suffering (Genesis 3). Since that moment, the world has been out of order. Romans 8 even says that creation itself is groaning, longing for restoration.

That means your pain isn’t random. It’s not meaningless. It’s not because God is out to get you. It’s because we live in a broken world. But here’s the hope: God hasn’t abandoned us in our suffering. In fact, He meets us in it.

And this is where perspective matters.

If you see suffering as punishment, you’ll run from God.

If you see suffering as proof God doesn’t care, you’ll doubt Him.

But if you see suffering through the lens of Scripture—you’ll see that God uses it to shape you, grow you, and draw you closer to Himself.

Truth:

One person who really understood this was Paul.

Paul was once Saul, a man who hated Christians and had them arrested. But when Jesus showed up and radically changed his life, Paul went from persecutor to preacher. He became one of the greatest church planters in history.

But following Jesus didn’t make Paul’s life easy—it made it harder Check this out from 2 Corinthians 11:23-28, where Paul lists the suffering, he went through:

5 times he was whipped with 39 lashes

3 times beaten with rods

1 time stoned

3 shipwrecks

Adrift at sea

Faced danger from rivers, robbers, Jews, Gentiles

Danger in the city, wilderness, sea, and even from false believers

Often cold and hungry

Many sleepless nights

Anxious, and constantly on the move

And yet even with all of that Paul calls such suffering “light” and “momentary”!

How can a man who has been through all that say what he has been through was lightwork? Because he didn’t fix his eyes on the pain—he fixed his eyes on Jesus through the pain.

Paul knew that this life wasn’t the end. He knew there was a greater purpose in every hardship.

Paul understood that negative circumstances have a positive effect when we trust and obey God through them.

Paul knew something we sometimes forget. This world is not our home, we won’t be here forever. So, he tells us in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

“That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 9 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.”

This was Paul’s perspective in suffering.

Why Perspective Matters:

Perspective doesn’t change your pain, but it changes what your pain produces.

It turns suffering from something that breaks you into something that builds you.

It transforms it from punishment into preparation.

When we suffer, we can either spiral into despair or anchor ourselves in truth. The truth is, God is not absent in your suffering—He’s present, shaping you to look more like Jesus.

I like to believe Paul had this mindset: If Jesus suffered intensely for me and didn’t give up, then surely, I can suffer for Him—and no matter what, I’m going to persevere.

That kind of mindset doesn’t just happen—it’s built on truth.

Now that we’ve talked about the theology of suffering and the importance of having the right perspective, let’s get really practical. Because here’s the thing: how you understand suffering will shape how you walk through it.

I want to walk you through 4 things you need to know about suffering.

Things to Know About Suffering:

1.Expect it- it’s a part of life

Again, Jesus said clearly

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

Peter, who was a follower of Jesus and endured some suffering of his own echoed it.

“Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.”

1 Peter 4:12-14

Just because you follow Jesus, doesn’t mean you are exempt from hard times. And just because you face a hard time, doesn’t mean that God isn’t good

Suffering exists because sin exists.

2.You are not alone it

Suffering can feel isolating, but you are never alone. Even though it is easy to believe that.

“Stand firm against him and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.

10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So, after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.”

1 Peter 5:9

Others have been where you are. Jesus Himself has been where you are. Jesus has suffered and has given you a path to follow when you suffer. You can count on Him to teach you how to suffer well.

3. Purpose in suffering

You are made to live forever, but suffering doesn’t last forever.

To me, that means that suffering produces things that God uses later.

When I avoid suffering or I don’t walk through it with the right perspective, I miss the thing that God might be building in me through the suffering.

You aren’t suffering just because. God doesn’t waste anything. And I believe He never wastes pain. He uses it to form something deep in you—something you wouldn’t have without it.

If Jesus didn’t avoid suffering for you, He won’t waste yours.

There is fruit that comes from suffering that we cannot get anywhere else.

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”

Romans 5:3-5

Suffering is a part of growing up spiritually. God wants His children to grow, and a lot of growth takes place during hard times.

4. Joy is coming

For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 9 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.”

2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Jesus has promised us a life free from suffering once we make it to heaven. That is the joy that is coming, that is the joy we can look forward to as followers of Jesus.

Again, we are made to live forever, but suffering doesn’t last forever.

Pain may be part of your story, but it’s never the end of it.

Paul says that the problems we are facing now doesn’t even compare to full joy and peace that is waiting for us in heaven. I know it is hard right now, but you have to remember though weeping may endure for a night, joy is coming in the morning.

Application: Change your Focus

So, what do we do with all of this? A practical application is to Shift your focus

When you face pain, instead of asking, “Why is this happening to me?”

Start asking, “God, what are you doing in me?”

Perspective is everything.

Fix your eyes not on the problem—but on the person of Jesus.

So, let’s practice that right now together by doing something really personal, as a church family. If you’re currently suffering through something, we want to join you in it and pray with you through it.

I’m going to ask you to do something really bold—and maybe even a little uncomfortable. If you’re struggling right now in any way, I want to invite you to come down to the front, to the altar.

You don’t need to explain everything.But your small group leaders will be down here ready to stand with you, pray over you, and support you—while you lay everything at the feet of Jesus.

But your small group leaders will be down here ready to stand with you, pray over you, and support you—while you lay everything at the feet of Jesus.

[Give small group leaders and students space here]

Closing Thought:

If Jesus didn’t avoid suffering to rescue you, why would He avoid using suffering to shape you?

You are not forgotten.

You are not abandoned.

God is working in your pain—don’t give up.

Let’s pray.