Biblical Answer

The Problem of Suffering: Why God Allows It

The question of why God allows suffering is a complex and deeply personal one. Many people struggle to understand how a loving God can permit such pain and hardship in the world. On the surface, it seems highly improbable that God could have good reasons for permitting the suffering in the world. So much of that suffering appears to be utterly pointless and unnecessary. However, as we delve deeper into the nature of God and our relationship with Him, we begin to see that there may be more to the story than meets the eye.

The Sovereignty of God

One reason God allows suffering is that He is sovereign over all creation. This means that He has a plan and purpose for everything, including the suffering we experience. While we may not be able to see the bigger picture, God sees everything and is working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28). This does not mean that suffering is easy or that it is something to be taken lightly. Rather, it means that God is using our suffering to achieve His purposes and to draw us closer to Himself. As the prophet Isaiah said, "He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by whose wounds we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5).

Trust and Relationship

Ultimately, the question of why God allows suffering is not one that we can fully answer on our own. Rather, it is a question that requires trust and relationship with God. When we are faced with suffering, we can choose to question God's goodness and sovereignty, or we can choose to trust Him and seek to understand His purposes. As the Bible says, "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). This means that even in the midst of suffering, we can trust that God is working all things together for our good and that He is using our suffering to draw us closer to Himself. By trusting in God's goodness and sovereignty, we can find peace and comfort in the midst of suffering.