Biblical Answer

Understanding the Purpose of Suffering

The Bible teaches that God allows us to struggle and suffer in order to build our faith and deepen our relationship with Him. According to the Apostle Paul, "we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope" (Romans 5:3-4). This idea is echoed by theologian Millard Erickson, who wrote that God himself became the victim of evil so that he and we might be victors over evil (Erickson). Our struggles and pain are not random or meaningless, but are rather an opportunity for us to grow in our faith and trust in God.

The Role of Suffering in Our Relationship with Christ

Suffering is not something that God takes pleasure in, but rather it is a means by which He can work in our lives to bring about spiritual growth and maturity. As the Bible says, "we are being offered perseverance, the character of God" through our hardships (Romans 5:3-4). This is not to say that God causes suffering, but rather that He uses it to achieve His purposes in our lives. The goal of our existence is not to avoid suffering, but rather to find God in the midst of it. As theologian John Piper wrote, "the point of our existence is relationship with him, finding him in our suffering is the point" (Piper).

The Sovereignty of God in Suffering

God's sovereignty over all creation means that He is not limited by our finite understanding of why He allows suffering. What may seem pointless or unmerited to us may be seen as justly permitted by God within His wider framework. As the Bible says, "God does not exist. Too often believers allow unbelievers to shift the burden of proof to the believers shoulders. Give me some good explanation for why God permits suffering, the unbeliever will demand, and then he sits back and plays the waiting game" (Helm). Rather than trying to explain why God allows suffering, we should trust in His goodness and sovereignty, and recognize that our struggles and pain are an opportunity for us to grow in our faith and trust in Him. As the psalmist wrote, "God, I don't know what you are doing, but you do, and that is enough" (Psalm 131:2).