Suffering, emotional aspects of

Suffering gives rise to inner distress, on account of a sense of injustice, frustration, loss or anger. Christ himself provides an example of such suffering to believers.

Causes of emotional suffering

A sense of injustice

Psalm 119:53 See also Job 19:7; Psalm 82:2

Rage has taken hold of me because of the wicked who reject Your law.

Frustration

Job 19:8 See also Job 23:8–9; 1 Thessalonians 2:18

He has blocked my way so I cannot pass; He has veiled my paths with darkness.

Loss

Genesis 27:34 See also Ruth 1:20–21; Proverbs 5:11–14; Lamentations 1:12

When Esau heard his father’s words, he let out a loud and bitter cry and said to his father, “Bless me too, O my father!”

Bereavement

2 Samuel 18:33 See also Genesis 23:1–2, Genesis 37:34–35, Genesis 50:1–3; Exodus 12:30; Deuteronomy 34:8; 2 Samuel 19:4; Matthew 2:16–18; Jeremiah 31:15; John 11:32–35

The king was shaken and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he walked, he cried out, “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”

Childlessness

Genesis 30:1 See also 1 Samuel 1:4–8

When Rachel saw that she was not bearing any children for Jacob, she envied her sister. “Give me children, or I will die!” she said to Jacob.

Parting from loved ones

Acts 20:38 See also 1 Samuel 20:41; 2 Kings 2:12; Song of Solomon 5:6–8

They were especially grieved by his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.

Spiritual loss

Luke 13:28 See also Judges 2:4; Matthew 25:11

There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves are thrown out.

Great fear

Genesis 45:3 See also Genesis 20:8, Genesis 32:7–8; Exodus 20:18–19; 1 Samuel 17:24; 1 Kings 19:3–4; Isaiah 21:2–4; Daniel 5:8–9; Luke 21:26

Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But they were unable to answer him, because they were terrified in his presence.

Guilt

Matthew 27:3–4 See also Genesis 3:8; John 16:8; Acts 2:37; Hebrews 10:2, Hebrews 10:22

When Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was filled with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said. “What is that to us?” they replied. “You bear the responsibility.”

Emotional suffering in the Lord's work

Jesus Christ's suffering

Isaiah 53:3 See also Matthew 26:38 parallel Mark 14:34

He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.

The apostles' suffering

2 Corinthians 11:28–29 See also Romans 9:1–4; 1 Corinthians 15:31; 2 Corinthians 1:8–9; Galatians 4:19

Apart from these external trials, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not burn with grief?

Expressions of emotional suffering

Sadness

Nehemiah 2:1–3; Psalm 107:39, Psalm 116:3; Matthew 26:22 parallel Mark 14:19

Weeping and groaning

Jeremiah 9:1 Genesis 42:24, Genesis 43:30, Genesis 45:1–2; 2 Samuel 15:30 Covering the head and going barefoot were also signs of sorrow; Ezra 3:12–13; Nehemiah 1:4; Psalm 6:6–7, Psalm 32:3–4, Psalm 137:1; Isaiah 15:5; Jeremiah 14:17; Matthew 26:75 Peter wept bitterly after disowning Jesus Christ; John 11:35

Oh, that my head were a spring of water, and my eyes a fountain of tears! I would weep day and night over the slain daughter of my people.

Anger

Jonah 4:1 See also Exodus 32:19–20; 2 Samuel 6:8; Revelation 16:10–11

Jonah, however, was greatly displeased, and he became angry.

Bitterness

Exodus 17:3; 1 Samuel 30:6; Job 3:1, Job 7:11; Jonah 4:3; Romans 3:14

God's response to the emotional suffering of believers

He comforts them

2 Corinthians 1:3–4

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

He has delivered them through Jesus Christ

Isaiah 53:4

Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted.

Jesus Christ gives them rest

John 14:1 See also Matthew 11:28–30; John 14:27

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe in Me as well.

There is no suffering in heaven

Revelation 21:4 See also Isaiah 35:10; Revelation 7:17

‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’ and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.”

The proper response of believers to emotional suffering

Assessing the problem before God

Psalm 73:16–17, Psalm 119:78; Romans 8:28

Controlled emotion before God

Judges 20:23; Psalm 22:1–2, Psalm 62:8, Psalm 74:1

Prayer

Hebrews 5:7 See also Genesis 18:22–25, Genesis 32:9–11; Numbers 16:22; 2 Samuel 12:15–17; Psalm 38:9, Psalm 77:1–9; Jonah 2:1; Mark 5:22–23; James 5:13

During the days of Jesus’ earthly life, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence.

Continuing to do what is right

Job 1:20–22; Ephesians 4:1; Philippians 1:27