Where is God when I suffer? Why is He silent?

Is there a God above? Doesn’t He see what I am going through? If there was a God above, why is He not taking an action against my persecutors? Where is justice? Why is God silent and allowing me to suffer?
These are some of the common questions which goes through one’s mind during suffering.
Jesus cried out at the cross from the deepest pain of suffering

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? (Matthew 27: 46)

If you are suffering today, you should meet Jesus Christ who is an example of human suffering.

It’s a divine attitude: The willingness to suffer

This is what the Bible says about the attitude of Jesus while He was suffering.

This is what you were called to do, because Christ suffered for you and gave you an example to follow. So you should do as he did. “He had never sinned, and he had never lied.” People insulted Christ, but he did not insult them in return. Christ suffered, but he did not threaten. He let God, the One who judges rightly, take care of him. (I Peter 2: 21-23)

Jesus Christ suffered for you and gave you an example to follow. That example was to suffer willingly!
Are you willing to take up that call?

It’s a divine opportunity:  To suffer being innocent

If you are suffering today, know that it is a divine opportunity to practice the attitude of suffering.

A person might have to suffer even when it is unfair, but if he thinks of God and can stand the pain, God is pleased. If you are beaten for doing wrong, there is no reason to praise you for being patient in your punishment. But if you suffer for doing good, and you are patient, then God is pleased. (I Peter 2: 19, 2o)

Are you suffering being innocent?
Then you are highly blessed! When you suffer even though you haven’t done anything wrong, it is highly pleasing to the Lord. You know you have done the right thing in the best of your conscience and before God, yet you are suffering and are being patient.
You accept it saying in your heart,

God is in control of my situation. I know I have done the right thing. God knows my situation. I am unable to prove my innocence. I am following the footsteps of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ knows my situation. He is there watching. I will not lose heart. I will hold on to God.

This is what true Christian attitude is!

It’s a divine character: Be patient

When you suffer, there are two attitudes that the Lord expects from you

• Think about the good God and stand the pain without murmuring or complaining
• Be patient and know that God is in control

God will look at you and comment,

My dear, you resemble more like my Son Jesus who also went through suffering and pain without making any mistake

Therefore, take it as an opportunity to practice patience and increase trust in God. These two attitudes are highly commendable before God.

It’s a divine response: Not to insult or threaten

• Do not INSULT your persecutors in return
• Do not THREATEN your persecutors in return

If you follow this, you are rightly following Jesus Christ. Jesus did not threaten the Jews who persecuted Him. Jesus did not insult them.

It’s a divine action: To judge righteously

As a Christian, your primary source of justice should be from God. Don’t you trust God to take the right action in your case?
Do as Christ did: He let God, the One who judges rightly, take care of him.
It’s when you silently suffer, knowing that you are innocent, you are deeply trusting God to judge rightly. You trust God so much that you don’t even take one step to cause pain to your persecutors in return. You trust in a God who is so powerful that you know very well that God will take care of you.
You know what?
That’s the real Christian attitude towards suffering. Remember, it’s a divine call.

It’s a divine purpose: To become like Christ

God is more interested in your character than saving you from suffering. He is more interested to mould you to become a better person. So where is God when you suffer? He is right there besides you helping you get through and make you a strong person.
Jesus Christ holds your hands and whispers:

My child, I know your pain, I know what you are going through. I have been in that place 2000 years ago. I have been sentenced to death without doing anything wrong. I suffered the entire pain on the cross trusting in my Father. I want you to do the same thing. Father watches over you. Trust Him. I will help you. I will never leave you alone.

God is not silent when you suffer. God is not the source of your pain. But He is allowing you to go through suffering so that you become mature like Christ.
The choice is yours: Whether to suffer like Christ or to become upset, frustrated and taking revenge on your persecutors.
If you miss it, you are missing the divine call in your life: To suffer like Christ.
This is what you were called to do, because Christ suffered for you and gave you an example to follow. So you should do as He did.