A Christian Perspective on Tragedy and Suffering

A Christian perspective on tragedy and suffering is the story of a good God creating a good world that has been corrupted by rebellion. Humans were created to represent God and live out his goodness but instead rebelled, bringing corruption. Humans now live with the results of this corruption and in the hope of God’s promise to restore all of creation to its former goodness. It is a painful, yet beautiful story. Living in a world where tragedy and suffering are very real often blocks our view of the beautiful and can shift us into wrestling with deep hurts. Tragedy and suffering hurt – they hurt because they always involve loss. This loss forces us to realize the brokenness of our world, and yet we must also live with an eternal perspective of God’s unending love and sovereignty.  

The Brokenness of the World Produces Tragedy and Suffering 

One of the great hopes for the Christian is that one day paradise will be restored. We, and all of creation, long for the fulfillment of this promise. (Romans 8:22-23) Until then, we live between paradise created and paradise restored, a time where suffering is a significant part of the world we live in and personally experience. Our heart aches because of a loss or tragic event, and that ache likely leads to difficult questions. 

A Christian perspective on tragedy is that sin has led to the presence of suffering in the world. Sometimes tragedy occurs as direct punishment by God (e.g., see the story of Korah in Numbers 16) or as a consequence of an individual’s sin (e.g., consequences in the life of King David), but other times tragedy occurs simply because we live in a fallen world where death and sorrow are a reality.  

God Loves His People 

Scripture paints a picture of God as being loving (1 John 4:10 & 16), abundantly merciful (1 Chronicles 16:34), and deeply connected to His people (Jeremiah 29:11, John 11:33-35). Living in the present age where tragedy and suffering are so prevalent often makes these truths difficult to see. A Christian perspective on suffering requires humans to fight for a view of God that aligns with how he describes himself in Scripture, regardless if those truths align with our emotions. Many who are hurting wonder where God is and feel as though he may have left them. We can take comfort in the fact we do not find an abandoning God in Scripture. Instead, we find a God whose ultimate desire is to care for and heal our wounds. (Isaiah 61:1-3) 

The beauty of the gospel message is that God desires to reconcile his people to himself and was willing to love even though he knew it would cost him. The cross is God’s ultimate expression of his love for his people. A Christian perspective on suffering is that God, in his love, has joined us and continues to join us in our suffering.  

God is in Ultimate Control 

We don’t understand how God can be in control when awful things happen, particularly when no consequence occurs to the wicked (see Psalm 73). A Christian perspective on tragedy is that God is never confused or surprised by what happens to us. When tragedy and suffering occur, God means them for good while Satan means them for evil. Accepting this truth is very difficult to do though when intense suffering occurs.

Believing God is in control does not mean we understand what God is doing, nor does it mean God likes what is happening. Instead, belief in God’s sovereignty is seeking to trust he knows, he cares, and he is faithful to his promises. Holding onto these truths is extremely difficult when circumstances and emotions push them into question. We need the grace of God and the community of believers around us to hold onto these truths for us when the pain of tragedy is too intense for us to hold onto them ourselves.  

God’s Eternal Perspective 

One of the comforting truths in Scripture is the destination that awaits the believer. Scripture paints heaven as a place where God’s people are in perfect communion with him and each other. Knowing the beautiful end to the gospel message story gives us strength and motivation to endure great difficulty. This reality leads the Apostle Paul to write the following in Romans 8:18. 

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” 

Knowing heaven is our destination does not take away the pain of tragedy, but it does give an anchor of hope to hold onto. We hurt and are invited to express our pain to the Lord who welcomes us into his presence (Hebrews 4:15-16).  We trust that according to God’s grace and mercy, we will one day experience the fulfillment of Revelation 21:4. 

A Christian perspective on suffering is that suffering is not the end of the story. While we hurt today and see so much suffering around us, Christians anticipate the reality of eternity in a beautiful place where tragedy, suffering, and pain do not prevail.

Conclusion 

God took on flesh so we might live aligned with him now and in his presence in the life to come. Living as his followers today is challenging and can sometimes be experienced as more than can be endured. The Christian is to cling to the promises and truths we have been given as we seek to walk through the present age where tragedy and suffering are so prevalent.  

Lamentations 3:21-26 “This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord‘s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.” 

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