Hope Through Suffering
- Faith Woods
- Oct 1
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 5
Wrestling With Life’s Hardest Question
Understanding Suffering
Why do we experience suffering? Humanity has wrestled with this question for thousands of years. From philosophers to everyday people, the mystery of pain has always been tied to our understanding of God’s nature. This inescapable reality is one of the most common reasons people abandon faith in a Sovereign God.
We all long for a world without sickness, loss, and disappointment. Hardship is a part of life. These experiences cause genuine pain. For millions of people around the world today, their anguish is beyond what most of us can imagine.
The Nature of Pain
Suffering is one of the most challenging things for us to comprehend. If God’s creation was good and perfect, then why is the world so broken? We often ask ourselves: “Why do I have to suffer? Where is God in all my pain? Can God truly be good when life is so hard?”
Many circumstances in life cause us to experience pain and suffering. However, it always comes back to the brokenness of mankind. Sin entered the world when Adam and Eve chose their own way. Because of that, human nature and the world we live in became a fractured image of God’s beauty.
Finding God in Suffering
In times of suffering, God remains present. Scripture offers us perspective in these moments. Paul, in the book of Romans, teaches that suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope (Romans 5:3-5). James reminds us to “consider it joy” (James 1:2-4) when we face trials, because they grow steadfastness in us. Hardship, while painful, can deepen our trust in God.
God’s Redemption Through Sorrow
The Power of Redemption
No one escapes sorrow or suffering. But God’s goodness is so profound that He can redeem even the most traumatic experiences and bring something beautiful from them. He brings hope through our suffering. Suffering drives us to a greater reliance and trust in God. It builds character and inspires compassion for others.
James exhorted his fellow believers to count their suffering as joy. Why? Because it forces us into a posture of complete reliance on God and a trust in His purpose for us and through us. It produces a steadfast faith. This faith brings hope through suffering.
Real-Life Examples of Hope
Right now, the people of Ukraine and neighboring countries are living this reality every day. Families are torn apart as loved ones defend their homeland. Constant threats of destruction create a heavy burden of fear and uncertainty.
Yet amidst these struggles, our partners in the region continue to share hope. Their perseverance shows what living faith looks like when tested — a quiet courage that brings light into dark places. Their stories reflect both the pain and the fruit of their trust in God.
Faith That Acts
The Call to Action
James goes beyond calling us to endure. He invites us to put action behind our belief: to love the poor, show mercy, feed the hungry, clothe the vulnerable, and care for widows. “Faith without works,” he writes, “is dead.”
James’ words challenge us. Suffering is an inevitable part of life. We can respond with worry and paralyzing fear, or we can release our lives into God’s care. We choose instead to let God work through our suffering to accomplish His purposes. Our deepest pain can be a testimony of God’s love and faithfulness. It can drive us to love and serve others from a place of deep love and authentic compassion.
Communities in Action
This truth is alive in communities where believers serve despite their own challenges. Their hands and hearts extend God’s love, proving that faith is not passive — it moves toward the hurting.
Svetlana’s Story of Finding Hope through Suffering
A Personal Testimony
In Boryspil, near Kyiv, Pastor O (name shortened for privacy) and his team keep serving the needy and the displaced, even as many other churches have been closed.
“My name is Svetlana. I’m 63 years old. Before the war, I lived in Kharkiv. My husband passed away in 2023. My son is at the front, and my daughter remains in Kharkiv with her family. I rent a small room in a dormitory for displaced people. I work part-time in a meat shop, but with food prices so high, I didn’t know how I could afford both groceries and rent.
Before coming to Boryspil, I didn’t know anything about evangelical churches. A coworker invited me to Hope Church, explaining that they helped anyone in need. I was nervous — back home, people said such churches couldn’t be trusted — but I was hungry, so I went. Pastor O and the congregation welcomed me warmly. During the service, it felt like God was speaking straight to my heart. Afterward, they shared a meal with me and gave me a food package, telling me it was a gift from Canadians. That day changed my life forever. Thank you for your care and love.”
Staying Engaged in the Mission
The Ongoing Challenge
James’ challenge to “do something” for others comes alive in Boryspil. Despite their own hardships, Pastor O and his team continue to love and serve their neighbors. Your generosity is helping them meet both physical and spiritual needs, one life at a time.
Suffering will always be part of our world, but God can use even our pain to shape us and motivate us to help others. Thank you for standing with us — bringing hope, compassion, and the love of Christ to places where it’s needed most.
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