Kirk Cameron: ‘God Is Never Wasting Your Suffering’

Published: February 4, 2026

By Movieguide® Staff

Kirk Cameron encourages us to approach difficult situations with “the attitude of Jesus.”

“What if the worst thing that’s happening to you right now is actually part of God’s plan for your good?” he asked in an episode of “The Kirk Cameron Show.”

Cameron referenced Matthew 16, where Jesus “knew that suffering was coming…He knew exactly what was about to happen…but Jesus saw the whole perspective from God’s point of view.”

Peter tried to deny this oncoming suffering, to which Jesus replied, “Get behind me, Satan!”

Cameron explained that when you try to “control the circumstances,” you’re acting as Satan does — “He tries to play God, he tries to be the sovereign.”

“We’re not called to control outcomes,” the actor said. “We’re called to be faithful to God, even when obedience means suffering.”

Cameron then challenged viewers to ask themselves, “What is the specific circumstance that is causing you trouble in your life? What is the thing that is causing you dread and fear [of] the future?”

“Ask yourself this: can I adopt the attitude of Jesus?” he concluded. “Remember, God is never wasting your suffering.”

Cameron often encourages his followers to view faith through a different lens. In a video of a conversation he had with sister Candace Cameron Bure, the pair discussed how prayers can be answered in unexpected ways.

“God doesn’t always answer prayers the way we want Him to,” the FULL HOUSE actress explained. “But it’s so important because it not only connects us to Him, but it’s just saying, ‘Lord, I am dependent upon you no matter, no matter what happens.”’

In an episode of “The Kirk Cameron Podcast,” he told listeners that he often reminds himself of what’s important: “coffee in the morning and a heart full of gratitude.”

“Even though there’s things I feel annoyed about, even though there’s things that are disappointing to me and maybe frustrating or irritating, I’m giving thanks for all of it, continuing to pray and asking God to fill my heart with joy,” Cameron explained.

He encouraged listeners to look inward when encountering a problem, instead of blaming outside forces.

“The source of sin is not outside of us but inside of us, and it’s all stored up inside of our heart,” Cameron explained. “You have no power to rescue yourself from your own heart. That’s what you need God’s grace for….and the good news of the gospel is that God provides that for you and for me in Christ.”

Cameron’s words are a reminder that all things, even suffering, are part of God’s plan for us.

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