What Are the Five Types of Suffering?
Only by turning to the Bible can we begin to understand the problem of suffering.
The first type of suffering results from natural disasters such as volcanoes, earthquakes, large storms, horrible cancers, and massive pandemics.
A second type of suffering can be called man’s inhumanity to man. War would be classified under this type of suffering. Because of man’s greed and pride, he tries to hurt his fellow man [James 4:1-2].
A third type of suffering is best seen in the life of Job in the Old Testament; it came as a result of Satan’s attack on him. After receiving permission from God, Satan moved in and caused incredible suffering to Job and his family.
A fourth type of suffering is that which comes as a result of our own erroneous actions. For example, if I walk off the roof of my office and fall to the ground, breaking my leg, I am suffering because I broke God’s law of gravity.
We also suffer when we break God’s moral laws. Often we are forced to live with the consequences of our actions [Galatians 6:7-8].
In contrast, we read in Psalm 1 of how God blesses those who walk in His ways. He says whatever they do will prosper. So often, our sufferings are a result of our own wrong choices.
“So often, our sufferings are a result of our own wrong choices.”
Galatians 6:7-8
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”