Why do Christians think they are suffering for God?

Question

I am a born again believer, and I just want to know why some christians just accept the fact that their body is in pain, sick or diseased. They say things like, "Praise God! This cancer is glorifying Christ! I am suffering for the Lord!" Do they not realize that it is God's will for everyone to be healthy, not sick. Thats why Jesus took 39 lashes, and said, "By My stripes, you are healed." Sickness comes from the devil. Just wanted to get some other christians viewpoint, or do you believe in suffering for God?

"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." 3 John 1:2

Isa 53:5

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (KJV)

John 10:10

10The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Answer 1

Thats not entirely true. Paul asked God 3 times to remove his infirmity. We know it as a thorn in the side... He was actually in a lot of pain daily. But God told Paul..."My grace is enough for you" and He never removed the pain.

The same with Jacob. God wounded Jacobs hip and limped for the rest of his life....

However I cant imagine saying praise God I have cancer. But I would still worship Him and give Him praise.

The 39 lashes was standard punishment. However we are not told what Jesus endured. In fact many translators believe that it may have been 39 lashes by 2 or 3 different people or 39 on the back, then 39 on the front. What we do know is that Jesus was beaten beyond recognition.

and for those that dont know and say "only 39 lashes" that equals 351 stripes, rips, tears in His flesh.

Answer 2

Being a Christ follower would mean to pick up a torture stake for his name!

Answer 3

Because they suffer delusions.

Answer 4

I think these verses are often  misinterpreted.  Remember in Job it says that man's life is full of trouble as the sparks fly upward.  Sick people do have an opportunity to glorify the Lord by having a good attitude through their trials.  When I have to go to the doctor, I just figure maybe the reason is that someone will pick up a gospel tract I leave in the waiting room and read it and get saved.  All believers will be healed someday in heaven.  Just like a father would hope his child will never have any problems, God  would like us to be well all the time.  But He realizes that without trials, we will not grow spiritually.  The devil will use the sickness and trials to try to discourage us, but the Lord will use it for good.  Romans 8:28

Edit:  Regarding going to the doctor, sometimes it's for the sake of the spouse, children or other loved ones that we go.  Our suffering can often be harder on them.  They need to know that everything possible was done for us.  What they fail to realize is that the treatments can be a lot worse than dying (in my opinion).  Much prayer is needed in each situation to detemine what is the best path to take.

Answer 5

Sometimes God doesn't heal. How we deal with these times of trial can bring glory to God. I fought a very deep depression for over 10 years and even though I know God can heal me, He never did. Now I understand a lot of why I've had depression problems, and I believe that God has allowed this so that I can be an encouragement to others. Since much, if not all, of my depression is triggered by social stresses caused by Asperger's, God really couldn't "cure" it without changing who I am on a fundamental level. I realize that your words are probably meant to be encouraging, but you should realize that people struggling with mental and health issues that haven't been healed will often take such words as an attack on their faith, their relationship with God, or simply their worth as people. Rather than simply declaring that God wants al his people to be healthy and prosperous, perhaps you could ask God to enlighten you as to why the people you've noticed are struggling. Just a suggestion.

Answer 6

God has never intended for his children to suffer.  Sometimes we have to go through a trial in order to come out stronger, wiser and closer to God, but it doesn't have to include pain, fear, sorrow, etc.  

Being healed by his stripes is, to me, a poetic way to say Jesus came to show us how it was done - how to live, heal, express God, etc.  He had his share of trials (hunger, hate, crucifixion to name a few), but showed us HOW to overcome these things.  Remember, he did say, "Go, and do likewise".

Answer 7

Rain falls on the just and unjust alike.  Suffering is part of the human condition.  Period.

Answer 8

God doesn't want everyone to be healthy.  I was just reading that angels struck people with blindness in Gen. 19 and I know that God gave leprosy to the sister of Moses.  So you are mistaken.

As far as sharing in the sufferings on Christ, as the Scripture says, I count it as good.  Matt. 5:11-12: "(11) 'Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. (12) Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

Answer 9

Your question is something that's been debated many times by Christians and non-belivers alike. As a presbyterian, I personally don't believe that sickness and disease per se glorifies God or that it is ever his will that his children suffer disease, otherwise he wouldn't have created modern medicine. I do believe however, that perhaps what people mean when they say that an illness "glorifies God" is that God sometimes uses suffering, or allows suffering in a believer's life, in order to accomplish a greater purpose, whether it is a form of discipline, awakening, or some other form of spiritual growth that can only happen through suffering. God never promised us a problem-free life, on the contrary, I believe he did make it clear in the bible that Christians will face hardships (as do non-Christians)  Its a complicated issue and the answers are also tricky and hard to write about short of a book, but I think if I were to generalize it, I wouldn't say that Christians are called to suffer "for God" but rather that God gives Christians the right perspective to deal with the inevitable suffering that comes with life. Suffering will happen to everyone--its how we are able to deal with it that makes the difference.