Bible Verses About Pain and Suffering will encourage you to find joy in the middle of suffering. You do not have to give up hope, God has so much more in store for your life.
For some people, Suffering comes through illness, through the loss of a loved one, through the loss of possessions, as in the life of Job in the Old Testament.
It can be any hurt, pain, illness, or punishment that is physically felt. It can also be moral damage that affects emotions and mood more.
I encourage you to read these 52 Bible Verses About Pain and Suffering daily and ask God to use them to give you peace.
What the Bible says about Pain and Suffering
From the human story captured in the Bible, we can understand that no one is exempt from Pain and Suffering, not even Christians.
Nowhere does God promise us that we will not experience Pain and Suffering if we follow him.
We can take a few words that Jesus said and reverse them to understand this principle. Pain and Suffering “come out over the bad and the good.”
The apostle Paul, who understood suffering better than anyone else, wrote extensively on this subject in the book of Romans.
There is nothing that God cannot use for our good and to fulfill his purposes. It is good to keep all this in mind to see what the Bible tells us.
Bible verses about Pain and Suffering
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Romans 8:28 NIV
Now we know that God disposes of all things for the good of those who love him, that is, of those whom he has called according to his purpose
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Romans 8:16–17 (ESV)
The Spirit Himself bears witness that we are children of God with our Spirit. And if we are children, we are also heirs; heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with him, that we may be glorified together with him.
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1 Peter 2:21 (ESV)
And you were called for this. Because Christ also suffered for us, giving us an example so that we can follow in his footsteps.
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Deuteronomy 8:3
He humiliated you and made you starve, but then he fed you with manna, food that neither you nor your ancestors had known, with which he taught you that man does not live by bread alone, but by everything that comes out of the mouth of the Lord. Sir.
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1 Corinthians 13:3
If I distribute to the poor all that I have, and if I give my body to be consumed by the flames, but have no love, I gain nothing from it.
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Matthew 27:28-29
They took off his clothes and put a scarlet-colored mantle on him. Then they braided a crown of thorns and placed it on his head, and in his right hand, they put a reed. Kneeling before him, they jeered, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
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Job 5:17
How happy is the man whom God corrects! Do not underestimate the discipline of the Almighty.
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Luke 16:23-24
In hell, in the midst of his torments, the rich man raised his eyes and saw Abraham from afar and Lazarus with him.
So he raised his voice and called to him: “Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue because I am suffering a lot in this fire.”
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Acts 26:22
But God has helped me until today, and so I stand firm, witnessing to big and small.
I have only said what the prophets and Moses already said would happen: that the Christ would suffer and that, being the first to rise, he would proclaim the light to his own people and to the Gentiles.
Also Related: 51 Bible Verses about Emotional Pain and Healing.
God works Pain and suffering for our good
God’s faithfulness is no guarantee that believers will be delivered from the hardship, pain, and suffering of life.
God teaches us that we will go through those moments of crisis, both the believer and the non-believer, only unlike the non-believers, Jesus goes by our side.
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1 Peter 5:10
And, after you have suffered a little while, God himself, the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will restore you and make you strong, firm, and stable.
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2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, merciful Father and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulations so that, with the same comfort that we have received from God, we too can comfort all who suffer.
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Romans 5:3-4
And not only in this, but also in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, integrity, the strength of character, and hope.
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Romans 8:18
In fact, I consider that the present sufferings are nothing to compare with the glory revealed in us.
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Psalm 34:19
Many are the troubles of the righteous, but the Lord will deliver him from them all.
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2 Corinthians 4:17
For the light and ephemeral sufferings that we now suffer produce an eternal glory that is worth far more than all suffering.
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Romans 8:35
Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Tribulation, anguish, persecution, famine, destitution, danger, or violence?
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1 Peter 4:1
Therefore, since Christ suffered in the body, you also assume the same attitude; because he who has suffered in the body has broken with sin.
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1 Peter 3:14
Happy if they suffer for the sake of justice! “Do not fear what they fear, and do not be frightened.
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Philippians 1:29
Because you have been granted not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for him.
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Isaiah 53:3
Despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, made for suffering. Everyone avoided looking at him; he was despised, and we did not esteem Him.
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Isaiah 53:4
Certainly, he bore our sicknesses and endured our pains, but we consider him wounded, beaten by God, and humiliated.
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Philippians 3:10
I have lost everything to know Christ, experience the power manifested in his resurrection, participate in his sufferings, and become like him in his death.
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2 Corinthians 1:5
For just as we abundantly share in the sufferings of Christ, so also through him we have abundant comfort.
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1 Peter 2:21
For this, you were called because Christ suffered for you, giving you an example to follow in his footsteps.
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Job 1:20-21
At this point, Job got up, tore his clothes, shaved his head, and then sank to the ground in worship. Then he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will go. The Lord has given; the Lord has removed. Blessed be the name of the Lord!”
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Matthew 10:39
Whoever clings to his own life will lose it, and whoever gives up his own life for my sake will find it.
Take your Pain and suffering to God.
In the Bible, some people openly expressed their frustration at injustice, Pain, and suffering to God. That is why we know that God, in his great love, allows us to approach him and express our feelings.
God accepts us when we talk to him about how we feel. He knows in advance what happens in the most intimate of our being, but even so, he wants us to go before him and tell him.
Let’s see some verses from the book of Psalms in which the psalmist openly expresses what he felt.
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Psalm 86:1-2
Take care of me, Lord; answer me, for I am poor and needy. Preserve my life, for I am faithful to you. You are my God, and in you, I trust; save your servant!
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Psalm 6:6
I am tired of sobbing; I flood my bed with tears all night, my bed soaked with my tears!
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Psalm 86:3-4
Have mercy, Lord, on me because I cry to you all day. Comfort the spirit of your servant because to you, Lord, I raise my soul.
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Psalm 13:1-2
How long, Lord, will you keep forgetting me? How long will you hide your face from me? long must I be in anguish and suffer every day in my heart? How long will the enemy continue to dominate me?
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Psalm 42:3
My tears are my bread day and night, while they throw me in my face at all hours: “Where is your God?”
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Psalm 88:6
You have thrown me into the deepest pit, into the darkest of abysses.
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Romans 8:17-18
And, if we are children, we are heirs; heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ, for if we now suffer with him, we also have a share with him in his glory.
In fact, I consider that the present sufferings are nothing to compare with the glory that will be revealed in us.
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2 Corinthians 4:17-18
For the light and ephemeral sufferings that we now suffer produce an eternal glory that is worth far more than all suffering. So we do not look at the visible, but at the invisible, since what is seen is temporary, while what is not seen is eternal.
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Psalm 119:50
This is my consolation in the midst of Pain: that your promise gives me life.
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1 Peter 2:19-23
Because it is praiseworthy that, out of a sense of responsibility before God, hardships is endured, even suffering unjustly. But how can you take any credit for yourself if you put up with being mistreated for doing wrong?
On the other hand, if they suffer for doing good, that deserves praise before God. For this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, giving you an example to follow in his footsteps.
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1 Peter 2:19-23
“He committed no sin, nor was there guile in his mouth.” When insults were hurled at him, he did not retaliate with insults; when he suffered, he did not threaten but gave himself up to him who judges justly.
Why does God allow Pain and suffering?
God is a God of promises and blessings to those who trust in Him. The Bible is saturated with those promises.
God loves, blesses, provides, heals, frees, saves, brings fullness, protects. The Bible shows us several reasons why God allows Pain and suffering in his children and how he uses those circumstances to draw us closer to him.
These are some, but undoubtedly not all, the reasons why God allows suffering in his children.
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Psalms 66.10-12 and Hebrews 2.10
God uses suffering to polish, perfect, and strengthen us. This also means that through suffering we avoid sin.
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2 Corinthians 4.7-11
Suffering allows the life of Christ, which was full of suffering but also of victories, to manifest itself in us.
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2 Corinthians 12.7-9
Suffering breaks human pride and makes us humble and dependent on God. The greatest obstacle to believing, grow and sanctify ourselves is pride, and tribulation defeats it
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Philippians 2.1-11
Suffering in the life of a true Christian makes him have the same attitude as Christ; that is, it forms his character to a holy character, meek, humble, and full of grace
Pain and suffering are a reality in the human experience
The general hedonism in our culture collides daily with the reality of Pain and suffering. Both are very real and very present in the human condition.
We can run away from the Pain; we can ignore it, we can put up all kinds of walls and protections so that it does not affect us, maybe we can even be successful for a more or less prolonged time.
However, it is a losing battle. The reality that we sometimes do not want to face or accept is that sooner or later, suffering and Pain will appear in our lives, our illusion will be broken, and reality will impose its rule.
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2 Timothy 2:12
If we suffer [with Christ], we will also reign with Him
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2 Timothy 2:3
Suffer hardships as a good soldier of Jesus Christ
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James 5:11
We count blessed those who suffer”
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Philippians 1:29
For it has been granted to you on account of Christ, not only to believe in him but also to suffer for him
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2 Timothy 3:12
And also all who want to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution
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1 Peter 4:16
But if anyone suffers as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but glorify God for it
Comfort in the midst of pain and suffering
What incredible comfort the word of God gives to those who are experiencing Pain and suffering today.
Whether physical pain or emotional suffering, God’s word comforts those who seek wisdom.
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Psalm 18: 2
The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
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Psalm 34:18
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
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Hebrews 2: 18
For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted
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Romans 8:18
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
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Job 6:10
This would be my comfort; I would even exult in pain unsparing, for I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
Conclusion
The basic motive for Pain and suffering is sin. We are in a fallen world and it will continue like this until full redemption, which will take place in the future.
Therefore, illness, betrayal, injustice, pain, and suffering will continue to be part of this humanity.
Believing in Jesus, trusting in his word, and walking with him will make us understand his purpose for our lives and allow us to live our sufferings with the joy and peace that only he gives us.
We find that the apostle Paul suffered a physical tribulation, an illness, and with prayer and fasting.
He asked God to deliver him from that affliction, and God told him: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness” (2 Cor. 12.9).
