Why does God allow people to suffer despite creating the world for human beings to enjoy?

Introduction

This is a question that many people have asked throughout history, especially when they face pain, loss, injustice, or evil. It seems unfair that a loving and powerful God would allow His creatures to experience so much suffering. How can we reconcile God's goodness with the reality of suffering?

Biblical truths

There are no easy answers to this question, but there are some biblical truths that can help us understand God's perspective and purpose in allowing suffering.

Suffering is not part of God's original design for creation

First, we need to recognize that suffering is not part of God's original design for creation. When God created the world and human beings, He declared everything "very good" (Genesis 1:31). There was no sin, death, or pain in God's perfect world. However, when Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate from the forbidden tree, they brought sin into the world and its consequences: physical decay, moral corruption, and spiritual separation from God (Genesis 3; Romans 5:12). Since then, all human beings have inherited a sinful nature and live in a fallen world that is under the influence of Satan, who is called "the god of this age" (2 Corinthians 4:4) and "the ruler of this world" (John 12:31). Therefore, much of the suffering we see today is a result of human sinfulness and satanic activity.

God has not abandoned us in our suffering

Secondly, we need to realize that God has not abandoned us in our suffering. He cares deeply about our pain and grief. The Bible says that He is "the Father of mercies and God of all comfort" (2 Corinthians 1:3) who "comforts us in all our tribulation" (2 Corinthians 1:4). He also knows what it means to suffer personally. Jesus Christ, who is God incarnate, came into this world as a man and experienced hunger, thirst, fatigue, temptation, rejection, betrayal, mockery, torture, and death on a cross (Hebrews 4:15; Isaiah 53). He suffered willingly for our sake so that He could pay for our sins and reconcile us to God (Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19). Through His resurrection from the dead, He also conquered death and gave us hope of eternal life (1 Corinthians 15:20-22).

God has a sovereign plan for our suffering

Thirdly, we need to trust that God has a sovereign plan for our suffering. He does not allow anything to happen without His permission or purpose. The Bible says that "all things work together for good to those who love God" (Romans 8:28) and that "He works all things according to the counsel of His will" (Ephesians 1:11). Sometimes we may not understand why God allows certain things to happen or how they can be good for us or others. But we can be assured that He has a higher perspective than ours and that He can use even evil for His glory and our good (Genesis 50:20; Acts 2:23-24).

Possible purposes

Some possible purposes that God may have for allowing suffering are:

• To test our faith and refine our character (James 1:2-4; Romans 5:3-5; Job)
• To discipline us as His children and correct our mistakes (Hebrews 12:5-11; Proverbs 3:11-12)
• To draw us closer to Him and make us depend on Him more (Psalm 34:18; Psalm 119:71)
• To teach us valuable lessons or reveal something new about Himself or ourselves (Psalm 119:67; John 1)
• To glorify Himself through our testimony or service (John 11; Philippians 1:12-14; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10)
• To prepare us for eternity with Him where there will be no more suffering (Romans 8:18; Revelation 21:1)

Responding to suffering

Finally, we need to respond appropriately to our suffering. We should not ignore it, deny it, blame it on others, or become bitter, angry, or resentful towards God. Instead, we should:

• Pray to God for help, strength, wisdom, and comfort. He invites us to cast all our cares on Him because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7; Philippians 4:6-7)
• Praise God for who He is and what He has done for us (Psalm 103:1-5; Psalm 136)

Joey Pierlioni