{"id":798,"date":"2021-11-22T07:47:00","date_gmt":"2021-11-22T13:47:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/reconciledworld.org\/flourish\/?p=798"},"modified":"2022-12-19T13:25:31","modified_gmt":"2022-12-19T19:25:31","slug":"is-my-suffering-gods-punishment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/reconciledworld.org\/flourish\/is-my-suffering-gods-punishment\/","title":{"rendered":"Is My Suffering God\u2019s Punishment?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Have you ever wondered if the mistakes you\u2019ve made are causing your suffering? Is God just giving you what you deserve?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve ever been passed over for a raise, grieved the sudden death of a loved one or been struck with illness maybe you have found yourself wondering, \u201c<\/span>Is God punishing me?<\/span><\/i>\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If God is blessing me during the \u201cgood\u201d times, is He also punishing me during the \u201cbad\u201d times? It\u2019s a common question during suffering, and one worth digging into a bit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There is a belief called retribution theology that says people are treated by God based on how they behave. If you have cancer, it\u2019s God\u2019s punishment for your misdeeds. If you are wealthy, it\u2019s because you please God. <\/span>[1]\u00a0<\/span><\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n

Is this how God works? Is retribution theology accurate to the God we serve?<\/span><\/p>\n

Does sin lead to suffering?<\/h4>\n

Certainly, sin has its consequences. In Genesis 3:16-19 we are told that suffering is a result of the fall. In Romans we read: \u201cThe wages of sin is death.\u201d In Galatians 6:7-8 we see the concept of sowing and reaping. The truth is, when sin entered the world, pain and suffering were introduced. <\/span>Because of this, you and I now experience many levels of suffering during our lifetime: bodily pain, sickness, mental illness, death, and persecution for our faith. Has sin caused suffering? Absolutely.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, we also see throughout Scripture examples of God using suffering not to punish but to enact tremendous good.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How God uses suffering<\/h4>\n

Take for example, when Joseph\u2019s brothers hurl him into a well and sell him into slavery. God later raises him up beside Pharaoh and uses Joseph to save His people. \u201c<\/span>You meant evil against me<\/span><\/i>,\u201d Joseph says, \u201c<\/span>but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today<\/span><\/i>\u201d (Genesis 50:20). <\/span>[2]<\/span><\/sup><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Or in the case of the blind man in John 9:1-3 and Lazarus in John 11:1-4 we see God using suffering as a way to bring Himself glory. \u201c<\/span>That the works of God might be displayed in him<\/span><\/i>\u201d (John 9:1-3).<\/span><\/p>\n

Even in the story of Job, the introductory chapters reveal he is \u201c<\/span>blameless<\/span><\/i>\u201d in God\u2019s sight, and that the calamity that befalls him occurs not as punishment, but as part of a divine plan to defeat the adversary (Job 1\u20132). <\/span>[2]<\/span><\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n

A quick study shows that the reasons you and I suffer could be far different than we expect. In fact, our suffering could be God\u2019s way of bringing forth great good.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So how are we to view suffering?<\/h4>\n

As humans we should never presume to know God\u2019s intent for someone in anguish. The truth we see is that God does not operate under human reasoning. His ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). The concept of retribution theology actually goes against many understandings we see in the Bible and is a simplistic interpretation that assumes much about God\u2019s intentions<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Instead, brothers and sisters, let\u2019s view suffering from another angle. <\/span>In place of punishment let us see our suffering as a way for God to work in our lives. To teach us dependence, fervent prayer, humility, deepening trust, and even a new ministry opportunity. The Bible reminds us that God is for us (Romans 8:32) and that God designs all circumstances for our everlasting good (Romans 8:28).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you are walking through a difficult circumstance, may the peace and comfort of God fill you today. We pray that you would turn to Him in a new and fresh way. Remember, no experience, pain or trouble is ever wasted. It can all be used for God\u2019s glory. And it can all be used as a stepping stone to holiness.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s remember that <\/span>God has an infinite capacity for good and His grace and love overflow for us. His love was made perfect in death and resurrection. The cross was God suffering so that we might be saved. God does not perch on the edge of heaven looking for ways to punish and reward people for wickedness or righteousness. God <\/span>is<\/span><\/i> righteous, and His perfect justice and retribution are coming (Revelation 22:12) but until then let us not assume that God\u2019s blessing or judgement on individuals is based on their external circumstances. We must trust the Judge of all the earth to always do what is right (Genesis 18:25) and that His love, presence, and peace will always comfort us in our troubles. (2 Corinthians 1:3). <\/span>[1,3]<\/span><\/sup><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him<\/span><\/i>\u201d (Romans 15:13). <\/span><\/p>\n

For more reading on retribution theology please refer to our resources on <\/span>grief and resiliency<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
[1] https:\/\/www.compellingtruth.org\/retribution-theology.html\u00a0<\/span><\/h6>\n
[2] <\/span>https:\/\/www.desiringgod.org\/articles\/christian-your-pain-is-never-punishment<\/span><\/a><\/h6>\n
[3] <\/span>https:\/\/www.gotquestions.org\/retribution-theology.html<\/span><\/a><\/h6>\n
\u00a0<\/span>https:\/\/justdisciple.com\/theology-of-suffering\/<\/span><\/a><\/h6>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Have you ever wondered if the mistakes you\u2019ve made are causing your suffering? Is God just giving you what you deserve?\u00a0 If you\u2019ve ever been passed over for a raise, grieved the sudden death of a loved one or been struck with illness maybe you […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":799,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,4,26],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-798","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-spiritual-growth","category-personal-health-and-renewal","category-eng"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/reconciledworld.org\/flourish\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/798","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/reconciledworld.org\/flourish\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/reconciledworld.org\/flourish\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reconciledworld.org\/flourish\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reconciledworld.org\/flourish\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=798"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/reconciledworld.org\/flourish\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/798\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":800,"href":"https:\/\/reconciledworld.org\/flourish\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/798\/revisions\/800"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reconciledworld.org\/flourish\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/799"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/reconciledworld.org\/flourish\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=798"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reconciledworld.org\/flourish\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=798"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reconciledworld.org\/flourish\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=798"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}