Graham: Does God really test Christians through suffering, and if so, why? The cross is the suffering love of God bearing the guilt of man’s sin, which alone is able to melt the sinner’s heart and bring him to repentance for salvation. But God allows suffering for His own purposes. One of the most important things God wants to teach us is how “not to live.” Suffering is real – but by the grace of God, we can be strengthened through it.