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Trusting in God's Goodness Amidst Hardship and Suffering

Trusting in God's goodness amidst hardship and suffering is a recurring theme in biblical literature, often presented as a core aspect of faith and perseverance. The Apostle Peter encourages believers to endure pain, even when suffering unjustly, because of their conscience toward God, noting that such endurance is commendable [1, 2]. This perspective suggests that suffering can be a context for demonstrating faithfulness.

The Bible frequently highlights God's presence and support for those who are afflicted. The Psalms, for instance, declare that God is with the afflicted, serving as a refuge and strength [7]. Psalm 13:5 expresses this trust directly: "But I trust in your loving kindness. My heart rejoices in your salvation" [6]. This "loving-kindness" (or hesed) of God is described as great, excellent, marvelous, and everlasting, extended through Christ [10]. The psalmist finds encouragement and strength in God's righteous character even in misery, believing God can transform suffering into abundant life [15].

The New Testament further develops this theme, presenting suffering as an expected part of the Christian life. Paul exhorts Timothy to "Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus" [3]. In 2 Corinthians, Paul lists afflictions, hardships, and distresses as contexts in which believers commend themselves as servants of God, demonstrating great endurance [4]. The Tyndale House commentary on 1 Peter notes that Christians, especially those striving for godly lives, should anticipate hostility from a sinful world [13]. This expectation is not a cause for despair but an opportunity for faith.

Perseverance in the face of suffering is seen as an evidence of reconciliation with God and belonging to Christ [8]. It is maintained through the power of God and Christ, and through Christ's intercession [8]. Patience, a virtue closely linked to perseverance, is enjoined upon believers and is understood to be developed through trials [11]. The Apostle Peter advises those who "suffer according to the will of God in doing good entrust their souls to him, as to a faithful Creator" [5]. Adam Clarke interprets this as committing one's life confidently to God, who, as Creator, will preserve what is entrusted to Him [17]. This trust is rooted in God's faithfulness to fulfill His promises [17].

The concept of "waiting upon God" is also central to trusting in His goodness during difficult times. This involves waiting for God as the God of providence and salvation, for His mercy, pardon, guidance, protection, and the fulfillment of His word and promises [9]. This waiting is described as good and is an act to which God calls His people [9].

While the Bible acknowledges that evil people may suffer the consequences of their actions [16], it also recognizes that righteous individuals can experience unjust suffering [1, 2]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary on Job 21:7 addresses the misconception that sinners are always "cut off" early, implying that suffering is not always a direct consequence of personal sin [12]. Instead, suffering can be a means through which God works patience, experience, and hope in believers [11]. John Chrysostom, an Eastern Orthodox father, also touches on themes of patience and endurance in his homilies [14].

Sources

  1. 1 Peter “For it is commendable if someone endures pain, suffering unjustly, because of conscience toward God. -- 1 Peter 2:19”
  2. I Peter “I Peter 2:19 (BSB) — For if anyone endures the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God, this is to be commended.”
  3. 2 Timothy “2 Timothy 2:3 (NASB) — Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”
  4. 2 Corinthians “but in everything commending ourselves, as servants of God, in great endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, -- 2 Corinthians 6:4”
  5. 1 Peter “Therefore let them also who suffer according to the will of God in doing good entrust their souls to him, as to a faithful Creator. -- 1 Peter 4:19”
  6. Psalms “But I trust in your loving kindness. My heart rejoices in your salvation. -- Psalms 13:5”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflicted Saints — God is with -- Ps 46:5,7; Isa 43:2. God is a refuge and strength to -- Ps 27:5,6; Isa 25:4; Jer 16:19; Na 1:7. God comforts -- Isa 49:13; Jer 31:13; Mt 5:4; 2Co 1:4,5; 7:6. God preserves -- Ps 34:20. God delivers -- Ps 34:4,19; Pr 12:13; Jer 39:17,18. Christ is with -- Joh 14:18. Christ supports -- 2Ti 4:17; Heb 2:18. Christ comforts -- Isa 61:2; Mt 11:28-30; Lu 7:13; Joh 14:1; 16:33. Christ preserves -- Isa 63:9; Lu 21:18. Christ delivers -- Re 3:10. Should praise God -- Ps 13:5,6; 56:8-10; 57:6,7; 71:20-23. Should imitate Christ -- Heb 12:1-3; 1P”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Perseverance — An evidence of reconciliation with God -- Col 1:21-23. An evidence of belonging to Christ -- Joh 8:31; Heb 3:6,14. A characteristic of saints -- Pr 4:18. To be manifested in Seeking God. -- 1Ch 16:11. Waiting upon god. -- Ho 12:6. Prayer. -- Ro 12:12; Eph 6:18. Well-doing. -- Ro 2:7; 2Th 3:13. Continuing in the faith. -- Ac 14:22; Col 1:23; 2Ti 4:7. Holding fast hope. -- Heb 3:6. Maintained through The power of God. -- Ps 37:24; Php 1:6. The power of Christ. -- Joh 10:28. The intercession of Christ. -- Lu 22:31,32; Joh 17:11. The fear of God. -- Jer 32”
  9. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Waiting Upon God — As the God of providence -- Jer 14:22. As the God of salvation -- Ps 25:5. As the Giver of all temporal blessings -- Ps 104:27,28; Ps 145:15,16. For Mercy. -- Ps 123:2. Pardon. -- Ps 39:7,8. The consolation of Israel. -- Lu 2:25. Salvation. -- Ge 49:18; Ps 62:1,2. Guidance and teaching. -- Ps 25:5. Protection. -- Ps 33:20; 59:9,10. The fulfillment of His word. -- Hab 2:3. The fulfillment of His promises. -- Ac 1:4. Hope of righteous by faith. -- Ga 5:5. Coming of Christ. -- 1Co 1:7; 1Th 1:10. Is good -- Ps 52:9. God calls us to -- Zep 3:8. Exhortat”
  10. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Loving-Kindness of God, The — Is through Christ -- Eph 2:7; Tit 3:4-6. Described as Great. -- Ne 9:17. Excellent. -- Ps 36:7. Good. -- Ps 69:16. Marvellous. -- Ps 17:7; 31:21. Multitudinous. -- Isa 63:7. Everlasting. -- Isa 54:8. Merciful. -- Ps 117:2. Better than life. -- Ps 63:3. Consideration of the dealings of God gives a knowledge of -- Ps 107:43. Saints Betrothed in. -- Ho 2:19. Drawn by. -- Jer 31:3. Preserved by. -- Ps 40:11. Quickened after. -- Ps 119:88. Comforted by. -- Ps 119:76. Look for mercy through. -- Ps 51:1. Receive mercy through. -- Isa 54:8. Are ”
  11. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Patience — God, is the God of -- Ro 15:5. Christ, an example of -- Isa 53:7; Ac 8:32; Mt 27:14. Enjoined -- Tit 2:2; 2Pe 1:6. Should have its perfect work -- Jas 1:4. Trials of saints lead to -- Ro 5:3; Jas 1:3. Produces Experience. -- Ro 5:4. Hope. -- Ro 15:4. Suffering with, for well-doing, is acceptable with God -- 1Pe 2:20. To be exercised Running the race set before us. -- Heb 12:1. Bringing forth fruits. -- Lu 8:15. Well-doing. -- Ro 2:7; Ga 6:9. Waiting for God. -- Ps 37:7; 40:1. Waiting for Christ. -- 1Co 1:7; 2Th 3:5. Waiting for the hope of the gospel. -- R”
  12. Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 21:7: The answer is Rom 2:4; Ti1 1:16; Psa 73:18; Ecc 8:11-13; Luk 2:35-end; Pro 16:4; Rom 9:22. old--in opposition to the friends who asserted that sinners are "cut off" early (Job 8:12, Job 8:14).”
  13. 1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 4:12: 4:12-19 Peter instructs Christians one last time about the way to face the trials that will inevitably come. 4:12 don’t be surprised: Christians, especially those seeking to lead godly lives, can expect to face the hostility of a sinful world (see John 16:33; Acts 14:22; Rom 8:17; Phil 1:29).”
  14. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: 13:17 13:23 James 1:6 2:13 2:19 2:26 3:11 4:3 1 Peter 1:3 1:12 2:13 2:21 2:21 2:22 2:22 2:22 5:5 5:8 5:8 5:8 2 Peter 2:4 3:13 1 John 2:9 3:2 3:8 4:8 Revelation 1 1:4 1:9 1:11 1:16 1:20 2 3 3:12 14:1 14:4 14:13 15:6 20:9 22:16 Tobit 12:9 Wisdom of Solomon 1:4 1:14 11:23 11:24 14:16 Sirach 2:2 2:2 2:4 2:10 2:11 2:27 3:10-12 3:11 5:6 6:14 6:16 6:34 7:6 7:31 9:13 9:15 10:9 10:12-13 11:1 11:2 11:3 11:3 11:4 11:15 11:28 12:13 13:15 14:9 15:9 16:3 18:13 18:13 19:14-15 20:20 21:2 22:21-22 23:17 23:17 25:1 25:1 25:11 26:27 28:6 31:1 32:10”
  15. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 71:19: 71:19-21 God’s righteous character provides encouragement and strength in the midst of suffering. The wounded psalmist confesses faith in God’s ability to transform his misery and weakness into abundant life.”
  16. Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 1:31: 1:31 Evil people suffer the consequences of their own actions (see 1:15-19); God will ensure that sinners receive their proper punishment (see Matt 25:44-46; Heb 10:29; 2 Pet 2:9).”
  17. 1 Peter (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Peter 4:19: Suffer according to the will of God - A man suffers according to the will of God who suffers for righteousness' sake; and who, being reviled, reviles not again. Commit the keeping of their souls - Place their lives confidently in his hand, who, being their Creator, will also be their preserver, and keep that safely which is committed to his trust. God is here represented as faithful, because he will always fulfill his promises, and withhold no good thing from them that walk uprightly. But they had no reason to hope that he would care for their lives and souls unles”
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