Is Suffering Good for Us?

I was in Philosophy class the other day while students were presenting their papers. One student presented Socrates' question to Euthyphro, "are things pious because the gods like them, or do the gods like them because they are pious?" In her words, are things good because God says they're good, or does he say things are good because they simply are good? I will not answer this specific question, but I will address what came up in the discussion.

She brought up the words of another philosopher (whose name I forget) who said that we as humans have no idea what good and evil is. Who are we to say that evil isn't good?

"That resonates with me because sometimes bad things happen to me, but it makes me a better person." One other student said. And everyone seemed to be in agreement with this conclusion.

In another class, a teacher of mine said that "pain is good for you." And everyone seemed to believe this as well.

But can you tell the girl who is a sex slave that her suffering is good? Can you tell the starving child that his suffering is good? Can you tell the crack addict that her suffering is good? And can you say that suffering always produces good character? I don't think so. I think pain makes us worse people. And some of us never heal from it.

In my opinion, only people who have Christ can say that suffering is good, because "Christ works all things for the good of those who love Him..." They have seen their pain bring good results (such as strength or better character) and instead of seeing God as the reason for those good results, they look at the pain or evil itself and call it good.

But I refuse to call evil good. I refuse to believe that suffering is good. I refuse to think that my suffering was necessary to make me a better person because not everyone who suffers turns out better. Others who have been through similar circumstances as me have not recovered, and have even left their faith. I credit God alone for the good results in my life. I cling to Him tightly. There are plenty in this world who have suffered and have never recovered.  They have delved deeper into drugs or alcohol. They have resorted to violence and theft. They have become renegades, searching for power. They have been driven by revenge. They have stopped trusting others... Are these things good? By no means! And can we say that evil or suffering makes us better? No. God, by His grace, makes us better. He is the only true good.

I understand that discipline is necessary to raise a child... But the spank itself is not a good thing, and the goal is to only spank as much as necessary, not to over-do it. It may be a necessary evil, but no evil is good. Evil is only sometimes necessary because human beings have a sinful nature, and sometimes punishment is required. But is it good? No. Pain may help us learn, but suffering is not good. Pain is not good. Evil is not good. And we don't always learn. Some of us circle the same mountains all our lives.

Another student in my philosophy class brought up the scenario of the thief who is stealing food for his starving family. Lets say the thief had no control over his loss of money and was strictly a victim of circumstance. The student struggled to determine whether or not this thief was justified in his actions. And so did the rest of the class. And when I said, "No. He's not justified," I seemed like a calloused jerk. But calling things what they are is important. If I were facing the man, I would not judge him, nor condemn him (I'm not speaking civil law, here, I am strictly speaking in social context). However, I will never rationalize his actions as good. Yes, it is easier to have compassion for this man because it is a good thing to provide for a family, and his determination to do so is noble. But the end never justifies the means. And my goal would be to help him so he does not have to steal in order to survive.

In no case is theft justified. What about if he stole from someone who was filthy rich and wouldn't miss what was stolen? I don't think so. Robin Hood will never be justified in stealing. Shall we grant him mercy? Perhaps. Extent understanding? Sure. Have compassion? Of course. But lets not call any of these things good based on unique circumstances. Stealing is stealing. Sin is sin. Evil is evil.

Now, having said this, I must clarify that I am not one to go looking for sin in others. I am not one to go digging it up or pointing it out. I am not one to cast judgment on people for sinning, and I often tell people, "you don't need to justify yourself to me." I am not one to even focus on the sin at all (except in the case of injustice). If you've read my blog you know that I'm always ranting about how unhealthy it is to be so focused on sin. Too many pastors make a living out of it, and too many Christians think its their duty. If I were talking to the thief, I'd tell him that he is not defined by his actions and that we should stop identifying him as a thief, but rather a man. So this discussion is not one I have with people often. And so it may sound like I'm casting judgment on a person by saying sin is sin, but I'm not. If we're going to abstract ideals and talk about them and make conclusions about them, I'm not going to rationalize things falsely.

The fact that I am stronger or more patient after the evil I've been through does not make the evil a good thing. Strength and patience are gifts from a God who has turned all that which was meant for evil into that which is good. I owe it all to Him. And I appreciate Him all the more because I can learn from my mistakes. But I refuse to say that my own mistakes were necessary. I refuse to accept that what happened to me was good. I will not thank God for the suffering, only the good that He brought about from it. Perhaps I have a wrong attitude.

Sometimes we think we've learned something, but really, we've only made conclusions that are unhealthy; conclusion such as, "I'll never trust another man." Or, "All people who drink alcohol are alcoholics and should be avoided." Or, "All leaders will cause me suffering." Or, "I am not worthy of love." These are a few of the many things I myself have had to work through. They are false beliefs that I would have kept with me had I not had the guidance of wise God-fearing people, and the reassurance of the Holy Spirit to trust again. I'm no different than the next person. Without God, I'd be fearful, alone, depressed, and angry.

With all that said, I cannot and will not say that evil is good, or that suffering makes us better. Only God is good, and only God makes us better. I will only give credit where it is due. 

I will conclude with these scriptures:

"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good--except God alone." (Mark 10:18 NIV)

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28 NIV)