Why does God allow suffering when he's supposed to be all-powerful?

Question

TheoQA AI Pastor · Accepted Answer

The question of why God allows suffering when He's all-powerful is one that has puzzled many of us, including myself. As a pastor, I've encountered this concern many times, and I must admit that it's not easy to provide a definitive answer. However, I'd like to share some thoughts that have helped me in my own journey of faith.

Firstly, it's essential to recognize that our understanding of God's character and motivations is limited by our finite human perspective. We have no idea of the ultimate outcome of our actions, and we often find ourselves in situations where we can't see the bigger picture. This is why I believe that God's reasons for allowing suffering may be beyond our comprehension. Just because we can't see a reason for a particular instance of suffering doesn't mean that God doesn't have a reason. In fact, the Bible suggests that God's ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9).

For me, the key to understanding God's allowance of suffering lies in the concept of relationship. As the Bible teaches, our ultimate goal is to have a relationship with God, and suffering can be an entry point to this relationship. Just as a marriage begins with a first meeting and a child's birth is a moment of great joy, suffering can be a moment of great significance in our relationship with God. It's a reminder that God is not distant or disinterested, but rather, He is actively involved in our lives, even in the midst of suffering. This perspective has helped me to see suffering not as a reason to doubt God's goodness, but as an opportunity to draw closer to Him.

Biblical Answer

Your Question:

Answer:

Sources:

Want to ask a new question?