Biblical Answer

Why is God allowing this suffering?

The Sovereignty of God

God is the all-knowing, all-powerful Creator of the universe. He has a plan and purpose for all creation, including human suffering. As the Bible teaches, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28). This verse reminds us that God's sovereignty is not limited by human understanding. His purposes may not be immediately clear to us, but He knows what He is doing.

The Problem of Evil

The problem of evil is a common objection to the existence of God. If God is loving and all-powerful, why does He allow suffering and evil in the world? The Bible does not provide a complete explanation for every instance of suffering, but it does offer some insight. Suffering can be a result of sin, either personal or collective. As the Bible says, "The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of every heart was only evil continually" (Genesis 6:5). Sin leads to suffering, and God allows suffering to teach us about the consequences of our actions.

Trust in God's Goodness

While we may not understand why God allows suffering, we can trust in His goodness and sovereignty. As the Bible teaches, "You do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that'" (James 4:14-15). We must trust that God's purposes are good, even when we don't understand them. As the psalmist says, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea" (Psalm 46:1-2). We can trust in God's goodness, even in the midst of suffering.