Biblical Answer

Why Does God Let Us Struggle?

As Christians, we often struggle to understand why God allows us to suffer. It's natural to wonder why a loving God would permit pain and hardship in our lives. However, from a biblical perspective, suffering is not something to be feared or avoided, but rather something to be faced head-on and used as an opportunity to grow in our faith. As theologian Millard Erickson said, "God himself became the victim of evil so that he and we might be victors over evil." Through our struggles and pain, we are being offered perseverance, the character of God. Hardships are intended to give us a spiritual makeover, to cleanse us from every defilement of body and spirit.

Suffering is not something that God intends to inflict upon us, but rather an opportunity for us to grow in our relationship with Him. As C.S. Lewis said, "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world." Through our struggles, we are forced to turn to God and trust Him with the mysteries of suffering. It's in these moments that we discover the depths of God's love for us, and the power of His presence in our lives. As we face our struggles with faith, we are transformed by the fires of suffering, becoming more like Christ and growing in our ability to withstand the struggles of life.

It's essential to remember that God's ultimate goal is not to change our circumstances, but to change us. He is not a means to an end, but the end itself. Through our struggles, we are given the opportunity to develop the character of God, to become like Him in our perseverance, love, and faith. As we face our struggles with faith, we are not just seeking to overcome them, but to become more like Christ, to reflect His character in our lives. This is the ultimate purpose of suffering, and it's a purpose that God has ordained for our good. As the Bible says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-4)