The Sources of Suffering

Sources

Who Is Responsible

Who Is Affected

Needed Response

My sin

I am

Myself and others

Repentance and confession to God

Others' sin

Person who sinned and others who allowed the sin

Probably many people, including those who sinned

Active resistance to the sinful behavior, while accepting the sinner

Avoidable physical (or natural) disaster

Persons who ignore the facts or refuse to take precautions

Most of those exposed to the cause

Prevent them if possible; be prepared if they can't be prevented

Unavoidable physical (or natural) disaster

God, Satan

Most of those present

Ongoing trust in God's faithfulness

When suffering or troubles happen, do they always come from Satan? In Job's story, his series of tragedies did come from Satan, but this is not always the case. The chart above demonstrates the four main causes of suffering. Any one of these or a combination of them may create suffering. If knowing why we are suffering will teach us to avoid the cause, then the causes are worth knowing. However, it is most important to know how to respond during suffering.