The nature of suffering

[mum1983]

I've been reading So You Don't Want To Go To Church Anymore, which is a novel by Wayne Jacobsen and Dave Coleman. For those of you who haven't read it, it's about a pastor named Jake who is becoming disillusioned with his church and questions his faith. Along comes an enigmatic figure named John who counsels him and seems to know Jesus on such a personal level that Jake questions wether or not John is the apostle, still alive 2,000 years later.

Tonight, I read a quote which made me uneasy. John says to Jake, "Suffering often indicates that God is setting us free from something so that we can follow and embrace him more deeply."

I can see why someone would think that. We have to somehow make sense of why we suffer, why God would allow it to happen to those he loves. But, it made me think about this: we know the Christian life isn't easy, but I've always thought this was because of the way of the world (Temptation of the flesh, "human emotions" we're not supposed to feel like jealousy, greed and being persecuted for being Christian) but, could it be that Christians face more trials and tribulations than non-Christians because it's God's way of purifying us? Is that why the Christian life isn't easy?

[BavarianWheels]

...could it be that Christians face more trials and tribulations than non-Christians because it's God's way of purifying us? Is that why the Christian life isn't easy?

The Christian life is not easy because it is not natural to the sinful nature.

Our 'purification' is a process. One which never is finished this side of life.
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[mum1983]

Does everyone agree with this: "Suffering often indicates that God is setting us free from something so that we can follow and embrace him more deeply."

[B. W.]

Does everyone agree with this: "Suffering often indicates that God is setting us free from something so that we can follow and embrace him more deeply."

Could be, maybe, might be – or the old adversary at work causing the woe as well too…
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[MAGSolo]

Does everyone agree with this: "Suffering often indicates that God is setting us free from something so that we can follow and embrace him more deeply."

That makes absolutely no sense to me, as in I literally dont understand what it means.

[Beanybag]

Does everyone agree with this: "Suffering often indicates that God is setting us free from something so that we can follow and embrace him more deeply."

That makes absolutely no sense to me, as in I literally dont understand what it means.

I honestly don't either.

[PaulSacramento]

I THINK He means that when we lose something we suffer, but that suffering and loss brings us closer to God.