The question of why a loving, all-powerful God permits suffering is one of the most profound and challenging questions we face. Why does God allow good people to suffer? Does suffering have a purpose? If God is good, why doesn’t He stop it? These questions strike at the heart of faith and human experience.
As Proverbs 28:5 says, “Evil people do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.” While we may not grasp everything, what matters is how we respond to what we do know. Here are key truths to consider:
1. God’s Original Plan and Human Free Will
God is sovereign, and His original plan for humanity was not suffering but a loving relationship with Him as our Father. He created us with free will, a gift that allows us to choose love and obedience. However, humanity’s disobedience introduced sin into the world, and with it came suffering—not as punishment, but as a consequence of turning away from God’s perfect design. Romans 5:12 explains, “Sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin.” Yet, amazingly, God works all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28), transforming even suffering into something redemptive for believers.
2. Suffering Aligns Us with God’s Eternal Purpose
In this fallen world, suffering serves a purpose in God’s plan. He uses it to shape us into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ, preparing us for eternity. While our perspective is limited to this brief life, God’s purposes are eternal. As 2 Corinthians 4:17 reminds us, “Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” Suffering, though painful, is temporary for those who know Him, and it refines us for an everlasting future with God.
3. God Entered Our Suffering
God is not distant from our pain. In Jesus Christ, He became human, endured suffering, and bore the ultimate agony on the cross to pay the price for our redemption from sin. This act of love shows that God cares deeply about our suffering. While faith in Christ does not eliminate suffering in this life, it assures us that God is with us in it, working out His purposes. His grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9), and suffering will end when we enter eternity with Him.
4. The Question of God’s Justice
At the very heart of these questions lies a deeper one: Is God just? We may not understand everything, but God calls us to trust His sovereignty rather than to have all the answers. If God did not exist, suffering would still exist—but it would lack meaning or hope. With God, suffering becomes purposeful, bearable, and temporal. As believers, we trust that He is weaving a story of redemption, even through our pain.
5. Suffering’s Dual Impact
Suffering can draw us closer to God or push us away. It tests and refines our faith. To those enduring suffering, hold fast. You are not alone! Many face trials, but God promises to work all things for good, for those who love Him (Romans 8:28). Trust Him, even when the path is unclear. As Psalm 34:18 assures us, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
A Call to Trust
If you’re grappling with suffering, lean into God’s promises. Believe in Jesus Christ, who offers salvation from sin, shame, and the eternal consequences of suffering. His grace sustains us now, and His victory guarantees that one day, suffering will cease. Trust Him, for He is faithful, and He is preparing you for an eternity of joy in His presence.