# Suffer

The word “suffer” or "suffering" means someone has something bad happening to them. This often happens for a long period of time. Illness, pain, or other bad things can cause suffering. Suffering can be physical, such as having pain or sickness. It can also be emotional, such as having fear, sadness, or loneliness. Sometimes God causes people to suffer when they do something wrong (see: Numbers 14:34; Ezekiel 23:49). Sometimes God allows people to suffer even when they have done what is right (see: Job; Matthew 16:21; Acts 3:18; 1 Peter 3:14). Paul taught that Christians need to be happy when they suffer. This is because suffering causes them to want to do things that honor God (see: Romans 5:3-4; see also: James 1:2-4).

See: [Rejoice (Joy, Joyful)](../articles/rejoice.md)