And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.

Philippians 2:8-10 (ESV)

 

God is perfect love and holy. He does not decree evil or suffering. He is not unaffected or immune to our pain and trials. If we believe God is with us, we must also believe He suffers alongside us.

We live in a world that has been broken by sin and is not as God designed it. It does not reflect God's purpose or glory. Genesis tells us God did not make an imperfect world, but humanity chose imperfection instead. The Fall was not in God’s plan. He allowed it so as not to violate our free will.

"Allowing" does not mean “approving.” "Allowing" is not the same as passive resignation or apathy. However, our human free will is not beyond God’s sovereign action and purpose. Because of His incredible love for humanity, God worked out His salvation plan before the foundation of the world.

Even though the Fall was a tragic and cataclysmic event, Jesus redeemed and restored what was lost by Adam. This wonderous act of salvation reveals God’s greater glory and power. Jesus the eternal Son of God took on human flesh entered our fallen and broken world. He went to the grave and rose again.

Jesus suffered for our benefit and salvation. Because God honoured Jesus with "the name that is above every name," we can believe that our suffering has a redeeming quality. Although not everything that happens to us is good, our suffering cannot overthrow God’s sovereign purpose. It does not have the final say.

Instead of viewing your suffering as God's judgement, you must understand that it has already been judged by God through Christ's finished work. As such, you can expect God to comfort while you are suffering and save you.