Is Suffering a Punishment from God?
Many people, including Christians, believe that if you are going through a trial, struggle, and/or suffering of any form, it is in some way your own fault. That our suffering is a deserved punishment from God. Even if they don’t verbalize it or even realize that they feel this way, those of us in the place of the trial can tell those who have these underlying beliefs. So, in this two part post I want to look at what the Bible says, not just what one verse says, we’re going to look at quite a few verses. I what to see God’s heart in our suffering and then see what roll His grace plays. And I want to give you some help in determining if your suffering is from God or not.
What is NOT Biblical
First off let’s get one thing straight – Karma is not a Biblical concept. Although, it may make sense and seem reasonable from the world’s perspective, it has no Biblical support. Jesus said that we should treat other as we want others to treat us. He didn’t say they would in turn treat us as we have treated them.
“for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust.”
Matthew 5:45
What Does the Bible Say About Suffering and the Punishment of God
What Does the Bible Say About suffering and punishment from God?Before we go too far into this aspect, I would like to pause and look at what punishment is and start with a proper perspective. Dictionary.com gives 4 short definitions for punishment
- the act of punishing.
- a penalty inflicted for an offense, fault, etc.
- a penalty inflicted for an offense, fault, etc.
- severe handling or treatment
Somehow I think the forth definition is what most people think of when they think of punishment, and it is what the world most commonly thinks about God’s punishment.
May we first remember that while God is holy and just, He is also love. His punishment is that of a loving father correcting a wayward child. If you have been around children you know that each child is different. I have two grown children, one of which it only took a stern look to bring immediate correction. While the other needed stronger correcting, or should I say, stronger punishment. Unfortunately, I know that at times I am the child that needs the stronger punishment.
Do your ears pick up a stronger harsher tone to the word punishment than they do to words like correction or discipline? I am noticing as I write that mine do. Yet when I look up both correction and discipline the third definition for both words starts with Punishment
“punishment inflicted by way of correction or training”
www.dictionary.com
“punishment intended to reform, improve, or rehabilitate; chastisement; reproof”
www.dictionary.com
So, really correction, discipline and punishment are the same. Punishment is not necessarily harsher than correction, training or discipline.
God Disciplines His Children
The Bible is clear that God does discipline His children.
He disciplines us because He loves us, and He wants to guide us.
“My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.”
Proverbs 3:11-12 (ESV)
“For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life.”
Proverbs 6:23
“Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”
Hebrews 12:9-11(ESV)
Our parents do what they think is right, they do their best and hopefully add in a lot of prayer. God on the other hand knows exactly what we need and how we will respond. He is the perfect Father. For this reason, we shouldn’t view God’s discipline as harsh punishment.
As Christians our hope is in Christ and our goal is to become like Christ (or at least more like Christ). Therefore, we should not try to avoid God’s discipline. It is after all, His discipline that brings us closer to our goal.
God Tests His Children
Yes, God tests us too.
“And so in the matter of the envoys of the princes of Babylon, who had been sent to him about the sign that had been done in the land, God left him to himself, in order to test him and to know all that was in his heart.”
2 Chronicles 32:31
In 2 Chronicles 32 it says that God tested Hezekiah to know all that was in his heart. However, we know that God already knows our hearts. So, maybe it is to show us what we have in our own heart. I feel like I sometimes get this idea or who I am, and yet really it is more of who I hope I am, who I want to be. In these times I learn a lot more by doing what I didn’t want to do, or not doing what I wish I had done. Finding that I am capable of things I don’t want to admit, or that my character is not as strong as I thought. Only by God’s grace, through faith can we be who we were created to be. And God knows just the testing we need, to weed out the lies of the world and build us up to be who He knows we can be. These can be hard lessons, they are humbling. Yet, if we can keep our pride out of it, they are some of the greatest lessons, these are the lessons we are not going to easily forget.
Testing – A Form of Cleansing
The Bible often speaks of testing as being a form of cleansing, purifying, and refining, it eliminates the impurities and leaves us better than we were before. Much like His correction.
“And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are my people’; and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’”
Zechariah 13:9 (ESV)
“The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts.”
Proverbs 17:3 (ESV)
Is Continued Suffering Due to Our Lack of Faith?
Many of you probably know that I am no stranger to physical pain and suffering. If you don’t and would like to know more of my story, I have a couple posts linked at the bottom of this page.
I have had more than my share of people express to me that I simply lack faith. I just need to pray, ask in faith, believe, and “do not waiver” or “be double minded” (James 1:6) and I will receive full healing. Yes, they use scripture to make me feel lacking and to say it’s my own fault that I am still suffering.
God’s Word, His holy Scripture doesn’t contradict itself.
“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will he heareth us: And if we know that he hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desire of him.”
1 John 5:14-15
Do you see the key here? According to his will. I could have a mountain of faith when all it takes is a mustard seed. However, if my request is not in accordance to God’s will I will only be greatly disappointed. It can be hard at times to come to this point of wanting God’s will over our own. However, we know that God is faithful and we can be honest with Him, so, pray and ask Him for help.
When it comes to sorting through what might initially look like a contradiction in God’s Word, we often just need to back up and look at context. James 1 is about spiritual growth through trials. Verse 6 is referring to praying for wisdom. Yes, God wants us to turn to Him for wisdom in all situations, including our trials. Therefore, praying for wisdom is praying according to God’s will, and our faith shouldn’t waiver when we know we ask according to His will.
Is My Suffering a Punishment from God or Not?
Now we have come to this question, is this suffering a form of punishment or testing from God?
I am going to be totally honest here, only God knows for sure. However, I know from personally experience that if you go to Him in prayer willing to hear what you don’t want to know, He will be honest with you. If He is disciplining you, He will reveal what He wants to teach you. He will ever so kindly and gently walk you through it too. Don’t think this happens in one prayer, be earnest and keep asking. We need to really get to the point of wanting to hear even when we know we won’t like it.
Remember, through His discipline we become more like Christ. We must be open to receive the correction that will hurt our pride. This often means being willing to take down the defensive walls we have built up for protection, it feels all wrong at first. We must trust God in and through the process.
Please join me at “God’s Grace in Our Suffering” for the second half of this post. Where I explain why I believe our trials and sufferings are usually not any punishment or test from God. We will also look at the roll that God’s amazing grace and our faith plays in all suffering, yes even the discipline kind.
Other Post you might be interested in
Why My Weakness is His Strength
Living with Chronic Illness an Interview
I occasionally join the following link up parties! You should join me, I would love to see you at one or two!
Monday – #KingdomBloggers / Inspire me Monday / #LMM LinkUP
Tuesday- Trekking Thru the Week /AnchoredtruthTuesday / Purposeful Faith / #GraceFullTuesday
Wednesday – Weekly Wednesday / Let’s Have Coffee
Thursday – #Tune in Thursday / #destinationinspiration / #momentsofhope
Friday – Faith N Friends / #graceandtruthlinkup / #FreashMarketFriday
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People who use phrases like, “Just pray more,” and “Maybe you suffer because you have some hidden sin,” haven’t really suffered. God promises to never give us more than we can handle WITH HIM. And WITH HIM, all things are possible. We live in a sinful world and we may reap the consequences of our own actions (driving drunk resulting in paraplegia, for example). We may also suffer because of illness (mental or physical). God isn’t sitting on his heavenly throne waiting to zap us with punishment–just like I didn’t sit around waiting for my girls to mess up so I could punish them!
Absolutely Anita! I like that you used your parenting as an example, God is a good Father, He doesn’t want to see us suffer. Thanks for stopping by today 😊
Very thoughtful post. It helps me ask more effectively. In my current struggle, I tend to lean toward karma and bitterness. Konwing in my head that this isn’t right. I just need to ASK in a different way, and look INWARD more. TRUE–karma is actually a Hindu concept–not a christian one. We overuse it so much in our western culture that it has lost it’s true meaning. Karma is based on a reincarnation belief, which of course, we don’t have in Christianity. Also, I would add, that the deeper difference between DISCIPLINE/CORRECTION vs. PUNISHMENT. Is the ultimate OUTCOME. Slaves were punished. There was no benefit or learning or growth to come out of the ‘consequences’ of their actions. There was no ‘greater good’ ….not for the slave anyway. I might say the same for prisoners. “Correctional Facility” is kind of a misnomer. There isn’t much correction nor discipline going on. I guess for some prisoners, it is a choice b/c there are lots of Christian groups going into prisons to help correct and guide inmates. But the facility itself is-in my opinion-based on punishment. Most inmates are released worse off NOT better, nor corrected or guided down a better path of enlightenment.
I am really looking forward to part 2! and in the mean time, I will praying better prayers!!
Marisa, I’m so touched by your visit. Such a good point about punishment and the outcome, no hope in punishment, yet, correction is all about hope. Part 2 out, posted yesterday. Will join you in prayer. God’s grace is enough. Grace and peace, Debra
Everything according to God’s will not our own.
I work as an Oncology Phlebotomist and this is definitely a post I can show them for encouragement. If you read my Personal Testimony on my Blog I share how hard it was to lose our first grandchild to SIDS at 5 1/2 months old. Sadly, I was angry and bitter at God for a long time over that. Thanks for sharing this
Thank you, I’m so glad you found it encouraging! I don’t think any of us are immune to suffering. Our suffering is always very personal. Very sorry to hear about your grand baby. I’ll have to get over and read your testimony soon, I love testimonies. Thanks so much for your visit today.
Oh my word, this: ‘According to his will.’ I must say, powerful points here. Suffering or not, we must seek God’s will for our lives. Thanks so much for this post.
Oh, I’m so glad you found it valuable Niques. So grateful for your visit today. Many Thanks 8)
I think God disciplines us because He is our Father. But God will never bring death, sickness, disease, lack, suffering, etc. to teach us a lesson. The reason I know this is that that Bible tells us that all good things come from God. God is love and He is a way better parent than me and I will never bring all these awful things to my boy’s life to teach them a lesson. We need to realize that we live in a fallen world and there are consequences to that and it has nothing to do with God. We need to remember that above all, God is love, he is not guilty of everything labeled “it was God’s will” some things are just part of life.
I agree Carolina! I go into this aspect more in part 2 of the post, “God’s Grace in our Suffering” God also uses all of it for His glory, He is a great Redeemer. Thanks for stopping by today 🙂
It’s such a hurtful theology to pile the idea of suffering as punishment onto the back of someone who is already broken and hurting. Thanks be to God that he has poured his wrath against sin onto his own sinless Son so that we can experience his “no condemnation” love!
Amen! Thanks for the blessings of your visit today Michele. 😊
Great post! I’m looking forward to hearing what you have to say in the next post.
I hate that people have made you feel inadequate by saying you don’t have enough faith, but clearly God has used that to give you a powerful message here.
Robin, thanks for your kind words, and for stopping by today. 💜 part 2 will be up on Friday 😀
Beautifully put! As a sister chronic illness warrior I get the “if onlys” from orhers and it’s taken me a while to just leave my health in God’s hands, not theirs. Thank you for your post.
Yes Dianna, everyone knows how to help, and many think you should listen to them above your doctors. I’m sorry you are suffering. I hope you will come back for the second half, I know you will enjoy it, will be posted on Friday. Thanks for visiting with me today. 🙂
Very thorough and I enjoyed the way you organized this post. Thank you for addressing a tough topic and one that is often misunderstood. Especially valued all the Scripture references you used. Well done!
Many Thanks Gretchen! I’m so grateful for your encouraging visit. Happy to hear you enjoyed it. 💜
I am so thankful that He never leaves us along, even in the suffering. Our Father is so loving, even in the discipline that we must go through to be transformed into His Son’s likeness, He covers us with His mercy. I have found such a deeper mercy than I ever knew through the days of suffering. Thank you for these precious Scriptures. Blessings to you!
Bettie, I’m so blessed by your visit today. Yes, God is so gentle with us, and our suffering in this life draws us closer to Him always. His mercies never fail. 💜
I know a lot about suffering, but Jesus went through much more. I know He heals and delivers, though not everyone receives. There are a lot of factors, only He knows hearts. But I don’t believe He intended us to suffer, to learn, be willing to be corrected. to trust Him, but Jesus took punishment for our peace. I look forward to part 2.
Yes, Rebecca suffering came with sin. Thanks for the visit today.🙂
Very insightful post. I always remember Acts 14:22 which tells us that we will suffer many hardships to enter the kingdom of God. This life isn’t all rainbows and butterflies.
Yes, I think we need to be willing to seek out the rainbows and butterflies. Thankfully God’s goodness and grace is not based on our circumstances. Grateful for your visit today, hope to see you again soon. 🙂
Debra, my first thought was—Job. Great post! Lots of good points here and I love your use of Scripture.
Pinned.
Thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements!
Thank you Patsy, yes Job will be a part of the 2nd half of this post. Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment today. 🙂
Great article it really started to shed light on suffering and I could use some prayers for my best friends family back in NorthCarolina I live in Missouri now, I just lost him a couple of days ago and it is still a shock. He went and had knee surgery in May then that lead to Heart complications which he had surgery then and cardiac arrest. They revived him but he was in a come he came out of that doing good then his heart stopped again due to a lung infection that originated from his knee. Aug 7 he flatlined again and had strake in his throat and could never talk or walk again so his family decided to pull the plug so please pray for his family thru their grief and sorrow.
Mitch I’m so sorry for your loss. I definitely will be praying for you and the family. I hope that you will come back next week for the rest of the post, so you can get the whole picture of suffering. To see how God’s grace and redemption works, and see how God uses it for His glory. God Bless