Biblical Answer

The Problem of Suffering: Understanding God's Sovereignty

The question of why God allows suffering when he's all-knowing is a profound and complex issue that has puzzled believers and unbelievers alike for centuries. From a biblical perspective, we must acknowledge that suffering is an inherent part of human existence. The Bible teaches us that suffering can serve as a means of testing our faith, refining our character, and drawing us closer to God (James 1:2-4). However, this does not necessarily mean that God causes or desires suffering. Rather, He permits it as a means of achieving His purposes and drawing us into a deeper relationship with Him.

The Role of Suffering in Our Relationship with God

Suffering can be a teacher, but it only teaches us as we fix our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 5:8). If we avoid Him in the midst of pain, we can become embittered by it. However, if we trust in God's sovereignty and goodness, we can find comfort and strength in Him, even in the midst of suffering. The prophet Isaiah calls Jesus the "man of sorrows" and "acquainted with grief" (Isaiah 53:3). This means that Jesus understands our suffering and is present with us in it. By fixing our eyes on Him, we can find the strength to endure suffering and trust in God's goodness, even when we don't understand why it's happening.

The Mystery of God's Sovereignty

We may never fully understand why God allows suffering, and it's possible that we may never know the full extent of His purposes in allowing it. However, we can trust in God's goodness and sovereignty, even when we don't understand. We can also recognize that suffering can serve as a means of drawing us into a deeper relationship with God. As the Bible teaches, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28). While suffering can be a mystery, we can trust in God's goodness and sovereignty, and find comfort and strength in Him, even in the midst of pain.