Biblical Answer

The Problem of Suffering

The question of why God allows suffering to occur in the world is a difficult one. It is a question that has puzzled philosophers and theologians for centuries. The Bible teaches us that God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good. This means that He has the ability to prevent all suffering, He knows exactly what is going on in the world, and He is good and wants the best for His creation. However, despite His power and goodness, God allows suffering to occur. This can be confusing and even frustrating for those who suffer, as well as for those who care about them.

The Sovereignty of God

The Bible teaches us that God is sovereign over all creation. This means that He is in charge and has complete control over everything that happens in the world. God's sovereignty is not limited by our understanding of what is good or bad. He is not bound by our moral codes or our expectations of how He should act. God's ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). This means that God may allow suffering to occur for reasons that are beyond our understanding. He may be working out His purposes in ways that we cannot see or comprehend.

The Purpose of Suffering

While we may not be able to understand the purpose of suffering, the Bible teaches us that God is working out His purposes in all things. Suffering can be a means of growing in our faith and character. It can also be a means of drawing us closer to God and helping us to understand His love and compassion. In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, the Apostle Paul writes about how he was given a "thorn in the flesh" to keep him humble and dependent on God. Paul asked God to take away the thorn, but God told him that His grace was sufficient for him. This teaches us that God is not interested in taking away our suffering, but rather in helping us to grow and mature in our faith despite it. Ultimately, the purpose of suffering is not to understand why it happens, but to trust in God's goodness and sovereignty, even when we do not understand. As the Psalmist wrote, "I will trust in You alone" (Psalm 38:15). We can trust that God is working out His purposes in all things, even in the midst of suffering.