Biblical Answer

The Problem of Suffering

Why Does God Allow Suffering?

When we experience suffering, it can be difficult to understand why God allows it to happen. We may wonder if He is not powerful enough to prevent it, or if He is not loving enough to stop it. However, from a biblical perspective, we can see that God's reasons for allowing suffering are not always clear to us.

The Sovereignty of God

God is sovereign over all creation, and He has a plan for each of our lives. Sometimes, suffering is a result of living in a sinful, fallen world. Other times, it may be a form of discipline from God, meant to shape us and make us more like Christ. In all cases, we can be assured that God is working everything out for our good, as Romans 8:28 says. We may not always understand why God allows suffering, but we can trust that He has good reasons for it.

The Example of Jesus

The Bible tells us that Jesus, the Son of God, underwent incomprehensible suffering for us. He was crucified on a cross, and died in our place, so that we could be forgiven and reconciled to God. Why did He do this? Because He loves us so much. If we can't accept the suffering that God allows us to undergo, how can we reject Him who gave up everything for us? When God asks us to undergo suffering that seems unmerited, pointless, or unnecessary, we can trust that He has good reasons for it, even if we don't understand them. Our response should be one of trust and obedience, rather than questioning and doubt.