The majority of people don’t understand what God’s intention is for mankind. Many assume that life is all about “going to heaven,” with no understanding beyond this concept.
To discover God’s purpose for anything, we need go to the Wonderful Counselor’s Instruction Manual – the Bible. God’s words reveal the answers to one of life’s biggest questions-why do humans suffer?
Personal suffering is not a chance event. In reality, it’s one of God’s most effective tools for building character. Our purpose while we are living on earth is to develop God’s perfect, holy, righteous character within ourselves. Suffering is directly associated with building character. Since God patiently endures the offenses of humanity, it is only natural that our character development isn’t complete until the value of human suffering has been embodied.
King Solomon commemorated a famous Bible verses on anxiety principle in Ecclesiastes 7:14. The verse reads, “Enjoy prosperity while you can. But when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. That way you will realize that nothing is certain in this life.”
God is in control of our world. He designed it along with the laws that govern it. Following His plan will lead us to live in harmony with the Great One and with other people. It’s impossible for us to completely comprehend why things happen in our world. Many things in life simply don’t make sense. Trust and obey His word. Doing so will allow us to live with a sense of peace and joy. Living outside of God’s plan for us will bring adversity and heartache.
Ecclesiastes 7:2-3 reveal more information for God’s purpose in allowing human suffering. These bible verses read, “It is better to spend your time at funerals than at festivals. For you are going to die, and you should think about it while there is still time. Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us.”
These bible messages seem unsettling. How can sorrow be better than laughter or a funeral better than a festival? It’s very difficult for us to grasp and accept the fact that our physical existence requires suffering according to God’s plan. However, realize our way of thinking isn’t God’s way of thinking.