God gets way too much credit for all the suffering that occurs in the world. Suffering is sometimes simply a result of UNFORTUNATE CIRCUMSTANCES. In Luke 13:1-5 Jesus brought up both the Galileans who died at the hands of Pilate and the 18 who died because of a tower falling on them. Jesus concludes that neither suffered more because of sin – and instead, He says we should focus on our own need for repentance.

However, when our lives spin out of control, we find it convenient to blame God out of our chaos. Now we know that chaos does not come from God (1 Cor.14:33). So, sometimes sin is because of SATAN messing with us – as in the case of Job 1 and 2.

But suffering can also be because of OUR OWN SINFUL ACTIONS. If we are unforgiving, and instead nitpicking something in someone else’s life, we are inviting Satan to control our lives. He is, after all, the “accuser of the brethren” Rev.12:10.

God does, however, say that we can suffer because of TRIALS HE SENDS our way. To these He says through James 1:1-5 to “count it all joy” because they will develop patience in us and culminate in wisdom. After all, lessons learned is wisdom earned.

Friend, are you suffering today? If you are being persecuted because of righteousness you can feel blessed (Mt.5:10-12). But if not, you should probably stop blaming and start repenting.