God suffers on account of the failures and pain of his people, and especially through his Son, Jesus Christ. Scripture often likens God to a parent who suffers pain and grief on account of children.
God feels real suffering
He suffers pain because people sin
Genesis 6:6 See also 1 Samuel 15:10–11, 1 Samuel 15:35
And the LORD regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.
He is angered because people sin
Psalm 78:58 See also Deuteronomy 32:15–16; Judges 2:12–13; 1 Kings 21:22; Ezekiel 8:17; Hosea 12:14
They enraged Him with their high places and provoked His jealousy with their idols.
God identifies with suffering
He suffers with his chosen people
Isaiah 63:9 See also Exodus 3:7; Judges 10:16; 2 Chronicles 36:15
In all their distress, He too was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them. In His love and compassion He redeemed them; He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.
He suffers with all humanity
Isaiah 16:11 parallel Jeremiah 48:31 See also 2 Samuel 24:15–17 parallel 1 Chronicles 21:14–17 God suffers even with those who endure punishment from his own hand; Isaiah 16:9; Jeremiah 48:32–36; Hosea 11:8–9
Therefore my heart laments for Moab like a harp, my inmost being for Kir-heres.
He suffers as a parent
Jeremiah 31:20 An indication that God suffers in both disciplining and loving. See also Isaiah 42:14, Isaiah 49:15; Hosea 11:1–4
Is not Ephraim a precious son to Me, a delightful child? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore My heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him,” declares the LORD.
God's plan of salvation causes him suffering
He suffered in giving his Son
Romans 8:32 See also Isaiah 7:13–14; John 3:16; Romans 3:25–26, Romans 8:3; Galatians 4:4; Hebrews 1:2; 1 John 4:14
He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, freely give us all things?
He suffers because he endures the rejection his Son suffers
Luke 10:16 See also 1 Peter 2:4
Whoever listens to you listens to Me; whoever rejects you rejects Me; and whoever rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me.”
God's creation reflects his suffering
Romans 8:22 See also Romans 8:19–21
We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time.
God's people share his suffering
Romans 8:17 There is a sense in which the sufferings of Father and Son are indistinguishable. See also Matthew 16:24 parallels Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23; Matthew 20:22–23 parallel Mark 10:38–39; Philippians 1:29; 1 Peter 2:21
And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ — if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.