Where is God in the Midst of Suffering? | Rooted
Life with Jesus does not exempt us from pain. Many of us grew up believing — even if unintentionally — that if we followed Jesus closely enough, life should get smoother. That obedience should equal ease. That faithfulness should equal favor.
But Scripture and the lived experience of every believer tells another story: faith does not remove suffering. The real question becomes:
If suffering is unavoidable… where is God in the midst of it?
This message comes from our Rooted series here at our church in Sacramento — a series aimed at helping people become deeply grounded disciples of Jesus. Whether you're in Sacramento or joining us online, we want to help you deepen your roots and grow your faith with intention, not accident.
1. God Is Near in Your Suffering
Even Jesus — fully God and fully human — walked into the Garden of Gethsemane overwhelmed, distressed, and honest with His Father.
Jesus prayed:
“Father, if You are willing, take this cup from me…” (Luke 22:42)
In His darkest moment, Jesus didn’t hide, numb out, or muscle through.
He invited God into His anguish.
And the Father didn’t rebuke Him.
He drew near.
He strengthened Him.
God does the same for you.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18
Your suffering does not push God away — it pulls Him close.
2. Suffering Reveals the Posture of Our Hearts
When Jesus prayed, He also said:
“Yet not my will, but Yours be done.”
In every season of pain, our hearts move in one of two directions:
Closed in resistance
Open in surrender
Like many of us, the pastor shared a personal story — a season of deep grief where the pain didn’t harden him overnight, but slowly… one guarded moment at a time. That’s what suffering often does.
Not because God is distant,
but because we stop bringing our suffering to Him.
Suffering doesn’t shape who you become —
your response to suffering does.
3. God Forms Us Through What He Does Not Always Remove
Romans 5:3–5 reminds us that suffering produces perseverance, character, and ultimately hope.
Spiritual roots grow the same way tree roots do:
Not in comfort, but in drought.
Not in ease, but in storms.
Not above ground, but underground — unseen.
When life strips away our surface-level stability, our roots reach deeper for something eternal.
That’s why God doesn’t waste hardship. He shapes us through it.
God may not remove every difficulty,
but He refuses to let any of it be pointless.
So Where Is God in My Suffering?
He is near you.
He is inviting your surrender.
He is forming roots you cannot yet see.
God was in the garden with Jesus.
He is in the garden with you.
**The question is not: Will suffering come?
The question is: Will your heart open… or will it close?**
If you're in the Sacramento area and looking for a church community that walks with you honestly through faith, suffering, and growth — we’d love to welcome you.
