One of Life’s Hardest Questions
Why does a loving God allow suffering? This may be the most difficult question anyone can ask about faith. It deserves honesty, not easy answers. We cannot fully explain why God permits evil, but Scripture gives us signposts that help us navigate this painful question.
What the Bible Says
- Free will: God created us with genuine freedom, which means we can choose evil. A world without the possibility of choosing wrong would be a world without real love, for love must be freely chosen.
- A fallen world: “The whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth” (Romans 8:22). Suffering is not part of God’s original design but a consequence of sin entering the world.
- God suffers with us: In Jesus, God entered our suffering. He wept at Lazarus’s tomb. He experienced betrayal, torture, and death. He is not distant from our pain but present in it.
- Redemption: God works through suffering. “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28). This does not mean suffering is good, but God can bring good from it.
A Different Question
Perhaps instead of asking “Why does God allow suffering?” we can ask “Where is God in my suffering?” The answer of Scripture is clear: He is right there with you. “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). He does not always explain, but He always stays.