Biblical Answer

The Bible is full of cries like this. Many of the Psalms contain appeals of this type to God, asking why they are suffering. The psalmist David, for example, writes in Psalm 42:1, "As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God." He is crying out to God, asking for relief from his suffering. This is a natural and normal response to pain and suffering. It is okay to ask God why we are suffering, and it is okay to feel pain and hurt. In fact, the Bible teaches us that we will suffer in this life, and that suffering is a normal part of being a Christian (John 16:33).

The pain we experience can be lightened by acknowledging the sovereignty of God over all creation. When we recognize that God is in control, we can begin to trust Him even in the midst of suffering. This is not to say that God causes our suffering, but rather that He is working everything out for our good (Romans 8:28). When we trust God, we can begin to see our pain in a new light. We can see that it is not just a random and meaningless event, but rather a opportunity for us to grow in our faith and trust in God.

In the book of Job, Job cries out to God, asking why he is suffering. But in the end, Job comes to realize that God is sovereign over all creation, and that He is working everything out for Job's good. Job says, "I had heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes" (Job 42:5-6). Job's suffering was not in vain, but rather it was an opportunity for him to see God and repent of his sins. This is the same for us today. Our pain and suffering can be an opportunity for us to see God and grow in our faith.