Why do some Christians endure more suffering, trials, and tribulations than others?

Question

Some christians go through a great deal of suffering and trials beyond their control. Many are born into abusive families, and go through physical, social, mental, and other types of pains until their last day on earth.

In contrast, other Christians share constant good news of how the Lord has blessed them, and though they may have had challenges, even they admit, they've never had to suffer like other christians? How does God determine who will suffer the? Of course it doesn't seem fair from a human perspective, but what do some of you feel may be God's reasons, or is this something we will never have the answer to? The Bible says God will not allow his children to endure more than they can bear. Does being stronger mean one should suffer more?

I'm familiar with the scriptures where God says it is a blessing to be persecuted and hated for his name, but I'm referring to sufferings that have nothing to do with being a christian such as a child who is abused, someone who picks up disease after disease, people who are hurt by others who do not even know they are Christians? What causes all of this pain?

To pj333, my question did not imply only christians suffer. The moment Adam and Eve sinned, everyone was prone to suffering, including non-believers. However, I was addressing my question to christians specifically concerning christians.

Answer 1

Satan doesn't have to worry about the non believers, but the believers - This is where he spend his time. Satan has lots of power and can cause much pain, and suffering. Read the story of Job, Satan continued to place suffering on him, in hopes of turning him aways from God. Satan tries his best to pull believers from the truth, and will use any means possible.

This doesn't mean all believers will suffer, and all nonbelievers won't, but it does explain why some believers have to endure sufferings in their lives. The good news is, God is always there to help pull us through and if we lean on Him all is well.

Answer 2

I've come to slowly realize that this world is all about suffering for Christ. The more you suffer the more it makes God happy not because he is a sadist but because the world system is made from lies built upon lies.

There are conspiracies within conspiracies and for those who think I am just hating on America it is not just America going thru this. All the nations of the world are being controlled to keep the people oppressed and too distracted by *social issues* to rise over it.

The last resort is being used which is to make humanity the enemy. (O-zone layer) (Aids) (Global Warming)

Answer 3

Those who suffer most will have the greater understanding of God's mercy and God's love. They will have the chance to see this treasure in a deeper and stronger way then someone who has little need. There suffering will make them far richer than some who has required little. These people who have been refined by the fire tend to be great witness for God and shows the greater love and mercy to others from what they have been given

Answer 4

christians dont have the market on pain and suffering ,,,thats just not rational thinking at ALL.
the question really is why do some people suffer more then others ,,,,the answer is karma ,,,,,
we each determine before physical birth what sort of chart we will follow ,what path so that we can then learn to become more enlightened and CHOOSE to become a companion to the higher being /God .
after all if we beleive in free will as a God given right then surely we can understand that it is not God who places trials and tribulations upon us but our own soul ............so when we have agreed to suffer in some way it is to help us evolve in a more spiritual way .
earth is a school of learning to deal with negativity and physical suffering .
upon your own deeds and thoughts and actions will you then be judged but by you yourself ,we all KNOW what is dark and negative but some choose to ignore the fact that it is up to them to choose there own standards of living .
there is good in the bible but unfortunately it has indeed been altered as ONLY man could do .
the whole truth is indeed difficult to discern ,and judging others by what is interpeted in the bible by common man is indeed questionable .
better to be accountable for yourself ,your words ,your actions and deeds and feel no regrets because you tried to do the best that you can ........................

Answer 5

Consider the tenet of Viktor Frankl where he posited that events in and of themselves are neutral until we imbue them with meaning. Given that, some people, Christians or not, derive some benefit from enduring trails and tribulations, while others choose to see the abundance and blessing in the events in their lives. Besides, God allows us choice in how we live and perceive our human experience. Even simpler, think glass half full or half empty.

Answer 6

My opinion is that Jesus suffered while on this earth rejected by His own if you follow Him He said if they crucify Me they will crucify you so does that mean true followers are the real Christians cause seems to me most don't won't to suffer I agree no fun but He won't no you if you don't suffer for His name sake GET READY wheat from the tares about to happen

Answer 7

very stable question. "the full worldwide is mendacity contained in the capability of the depraved one." (a million John 5:19) once you think of approximately it, does that no longer make experience? This worldwide displays the character of devil who's "deceptive the full inhabited earth." (Revelation 12:9) devil is hateful, deceptive, and harsh. So the worldwide, under his impression, is crammed with hatred, deceit, and cruelty. that's one clarification why stable human beings go through. yet another reason: Sinful people tend to conflict of dominance and this leads to wars, oppression, and suffering. (Ecclesiastes 8:9) a 0.33 reason is "time and unexpected occurrence." (Ecclesiastes 9:11) In a worldwide without God as a conserving Ruler, human beings might go through with the aid of fact they ensue to be contained in the incorrect place on the incorrect time. yet another extensive reason is by technique of our first mom and dad Adam and Eve: while they ate that fruit, they desperate to insurrection against God's way of ruling and this delivered into question no count number if God has the main appropriate to rule. So he has allowed centuries to pass by, to coach that people to don't have the main appropriate to return to a variety among themselves what's stable and incorrect with the aid of fact this has delivered untold soreness and suffering to people for hundreds of years, only like people who you stated. God does not reason our suffering, yet he has allowed it with the intention to proove that finally, his way of ruling is the main appropriate way. This worldwide is devil's and his way of ruling has been shown to be the incorrect way. yet I do assure, quickly God is going to step in and end the suffering that devil's domination has brought about people, and finally God's way of ruling will carry us genuine alleviation. This incredibly isn't the real existence that God meant for us. Adam, Eve, and devil messed that up for us, yet as quickly as we bear, optimistically we are going to get to stay the real existence that God meant for us contained in the arriving new worldwide and optimistically you will get to ensure the buddies you have lost returned. (John 5:28,29; Revelation 21:4)

Answer 8

I dont know but Gods says to count it all Joy when you are presecuted because of His name...

Answer 9

Satan targets those who do great things for God.

Answer 10

this is crazy talk . christians have not suffered as much as others .