DOES GOD EVER BRING SUFFERING TO GOD’S CHILDREN OR IT IS JUST SATAN?

It should be clear that this isn’t an either/or answer. Joseph reassured his brethren that an event can have many causes, having either evil and good motives:

• But Joseph said to them, "Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me [by selling me into slavery], but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones." Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. (Genesis 50:19-21 ESV)

Both God and his brethren had been responsible for selling Joseph to the Egyptian slave-traders. Besides, many verses point to the fact that God uses suffering as training:

• And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. (Hebrews 12:5-8)

However, there are perplexing verses that indicate that God even uses Satan’s evil to bring about His loving results. Job is probably the most memorable example of this. God allowed Satan to afflict the most righteous man. Therefore, it would be wrong to conclude that Satan alone brings affliction. Instead, the Book of Job concludes by acknowledging God’s involvement:

• Then came to him all his brothers and sisters and all who had known him before, and ate bread with him in his house. And they showed him sympathy and comforted him for all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him. And each of them gave him a piece of money and a ring of gold. (Job 42:11)

It wasn’t simply a matter of Satan bringing affliction but also the Lord. Paul had been afflicted with a “messenger of Satan.” However, this affliction was also the doing of God so that Paul wouldn’t become conceited:

• So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. (2 Corinthians 12:7)

While Satan’s purpose is to destroy, God intended this affliction to keep Paul humble.

It is important for us to bear in mind that God uses all things for our good (Romans 8:28), even Satanic attacks. If we forget this, we will think, “Satan has gotten the best of me,” whenever we suffer or succumb to a temptation. Instead, it is our Savior who is in control!