Kindness in Suffering: 12 Ways God Shows His Goodness Through Trials and AfflictionsSample

God's Kindness in Suffering

When we think about God’s kindness to us, we don’t tend to include our trials, afflictions, and suffering. We categorize them as something else, perhaps punishment for something we have done wrong, or maybe even some sort of evil that falls outside of the Lord’s sovereign control. However, the Bible does not teach that at all. Instead, we read the testimony of Paul, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28).

Certainly, we would regard good things as part of the “all things” mentioned in the verse. But what about bad things? What about trials, afflictions, pain, and suffering? Does God still demonstrate His kindness to His people in the midst of trials and suffering? Furthermore, how exactly do afflictions and suffering work together for?

Why does God cause families to experience bankruptcy, or parents to lose children, or a mother of five to endure breast cancer? Over the years, many students of Scripture have observed various uses for trials and suffering within the purposes of God. However, for our exploration, we'll explore 11 reasons God demonstrates His kindness through trials, afflictions, and suffering.

Suffering Proves that We Belong to God

Both times when the Lord offered up Job to Satan to be afflicted, He declared of him, “For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil” (Job 1:8; cf. 2:3). In this statement, God was presenting Job to the devil as an example of a true believer. However, both times Satan rejected the Lord’s statement, claiming that Job only appeared to be genuine because God had blessed him. And so, to prove the genuineness and validity of Job’s faith in God, he was put to the test. In the final analysis, Job repented of his grumbling against the Lord and reaffirmed His faith in the sovereignty and goodness of God (Job 42:1–6), thus thwarting Satan’s attempts to undermine God’s glory.

In 1 Peter 1:6–7, we see this truth illustrated powerfully. We read:

“In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Despite their experiencing the distressing weight of trials, Peter encouraged believers to “greatly rejoice,” even to “praise and glory” in the Lord. Why? Because our faith is being proved through fiery trials.

Much like with the affliction of Job, suffering proves both to Satan and to ourselves that we belong to God. Because when the trial comes to an end, we arrive at the other side praising God rather than cursing Him. When our faith survives—though all else may be lost—it proves beyond the shadow of a doubt that we are His. As Thomas Boston writes, “If one can stand that test, he is manifested to be a saint, a sincere servant of God, as Job was proved to be; if not, he is but a hypocrite: he cannot stand the test . . . but goes away like dross in God’s furnace.” When we understand that our trials and suffering are proof that we are God’s own beloved children, we quickly see that the act of proving our adoption is a tremendous kindness to us.