Responding to Suffering and Trials

Responding to Suffering and Trials
From the most ancient days, man has asked again and again why there is suffering in life. If God is loving and compassionate why is there so much suffering in this world? Probably the most common question that Christians ask is, "Why is God making me go through this suffering? I have been good. Why do bad things happen to good people?" Klaus Issler outlines some potential outcomes that may result from this suffering. His views that these trials can bring one to know God, that through the suffering character can be formed that is more Christlike and that unity and love are developed among believers, are all valid points for discussion.
The book of Job was written in protest against this obviously unjust doctrine, by describing a man who was innocent of any crimes, but who suffered tremendously in mind and body, in spite of the fact that he was not guilty. Despite the book of Job, the view was still widely held in Jesus' day that suffering impli...