Why I Believe God Is Sovereign over Suffering
Scripture Is Not Silent
Scripture is not silent when it comes to the question of God's sovereignty in our suffering. The Bible is clear that God is in control over every square inch of the world. Nothing escapes his divine gaze, nothing surprises him, and nothing comes to pass that he didn't ordain.
The answer to our fear, stress, pain, and trials is not to merely stand tall and wait for the storm to pass, but to remember that God is in control and he is good.
1 Chronicles 29 says of God, "You rule over all." Psalm 115 says that God does all that he pleases. In the book of Job, we actually see that no purpose of God's can be thwarted. And in case that doesn't quite click with us yet, Jesus says in the Great Commission to all believers in Matthew 28 that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to him.
God is in control over everything.
At the same time, we have to understand his sovereignty in light of his character. He's not just in control—he's also good. Psalm 107 says we should give thanks to the Lord, for he is good and that his love endures forever.
Your Pain Is Not an Accident
So, we believe in both of these truths. God is in control, and he is good. That means that our pain is not an accident. God is in control over every swell of the waves. He is sovereign over every gust of wind. The answer to our fear, stress, pain, and trials is not to merely stand tall and wait for the storm to pass, but to remember that God is in control and he is good.
The Bible affirms that God is sovereign over the storms of this life and that he has good in store for his people in their suffering. God is growing our faith in the midst of our trials. He's drawing us closer and teaching us things about himself.
God is doing more in your suffering than you can see right now. There's more to your trial than meets the eye. You can trust him. He is good.
Related Articles
Don't Miss What God Is Teaching You in Your Pain
God works through our weakness to bring glory to his name and make it absolutely clear that it's him who's at work.
Suffering: A 7-Day Reading Plan
This 7-day Bible reading plan was created to help you draw encouragement from God's Word in the midst of suffering—leading to hope in the gospel through the power of the Spirit.
Dave Furman's Story: Finding Help in Suffering
In this video, Dave Furman, author of Being There: How to Love Those Who Are Hurting, shares his story of debilitating need, resilient care, and finding the help that only God can supply.