We live in a world filled with chaos, pain, and confusion. Sometimes, the atrocities we see around us—and even experience ourselves—leave us asking the hardest questions:
Why does God allow this?
Why are even faithful Christians suffering?
These are not questions of doubt, but of depth. They come from those who believe, but ache to understand. And in this “Thrive on Less” series, where we seek peace not in more but in trust, this question matters deeply.
Let’s take a step back and look at the bigger story God is telling—even when it hurts.
1. Thrive on Less Control — God Created Free Will
God made us with the freedom to love, choose, and act. That means people can choose good—or evil. Much of the world’s pain stems from human choices, not God’s will. And yet, even when others mean harm, God can turn it for good (Genesis 50:20).
Faith means trusting God even when others abuse their freedom.
2. Thrive on Less Illusions — This World Is Broken
This world isn’t what God originally created—it’s what sin has damaged. Not just people, but creation itself is groaning under the weight of the fall (Romans 8:22). War, disease, natural disasters… they all testify that we are not home yet.
“In this world you will have trouble…” (John 16:33)
But that’s not the end of the verse—Jesus follows it with:
“But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
3. Thrive on Less Comfort — God Is With You, Not Just for You
God never promised a pain-free life. Even Jesus suffered. What He did promise was this: He will never leave you (Hebrews 13:5). He will walk with you through the fire, through the valley, through the tears.
“Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.” (Psalm 23:4)
Pain doesn’t mean absence—it often means intimacy.
4. Thrive on Less Explanation — Suffering Can Shape Us
Not all suffering has a clear purpose we can see, but Scripture tells us it can shape our character, produce perseverance, and build hope (Romans 5:3–4). God can use even suffering to draw us closer, strengthen us, and refine what truly matters.
Sometimes, less understanding means more faith.
5. Thrive on Less Distance — God Himself Suffered
God isn’t watching from afar. He came close. Jesus didn’t just sympathize—He suffered with us. Rejected, mocked, beaten, crucified. Why? To bring us life, even in our darkest hour.
“We do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses…” (Hebrews 4:15)
There is no pain you can go through that Jesus hasn’t already walked through.
6. Thrive on Less Earthly Hope — This World Is Not the End
As believers, we don’t grieve like those without hope. God promises justice, healing, and a new heaven and earth where pain will be no more (Revelation 21:4). We live with one eye on eternity.
Don’t settle for answers here. Settle for hope in Him.
Final Encouragement:
If your heart is aching today…
If you’re carrying questions too heavy to speak…
If it feels like God is silent or absent…
Know this: He sees. He knows. He is near.
Faith doesn’t mean having no questions—it means holding on to God in the midst of them.
Sometimes the truest strength is found when we let go of needing to know why, and instead cling to Who.
So thrive on less certainty. Less control. Less comfort. And in the emptiness, find a God who is enough.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”
—2 Corinthians 12:9
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