Biblical Answer

The question of why God allows us to suffer alone is a complex one that has puzzled many for centuries. From a biblical perspective, the answer lies in the fact that God's ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). God's sovereignty over all creation means that He has the power and authority to permit suffering, even if it seems pointless or unnecessary to us. The Bible teaches that God is not a distant or disinterested God, but rather a loving Father who desires a personal relationship with us (Matthew 6:26-30, Luke 12:22-31). However, this relationship is not based on feelings or circumstances, but rather on faith and trust in God's character and promises.

The Bible also teaches that suffering can be a means of spiritual growth and maturity. Paul wrote that we can take joy in our sufferings because they produce perseverance, character, and hope (Romans 5:3-5). This is not to say that suffering is desirable or that God delights in it, but rather that He can use it to shape us into the image of Christ and to produce fruit in our lives (Romans 8:28-30). Furthermore, suffering can be a means of turning our attention away from ourselves and towards God, allowing us to experience His presence and comfort in a deeper way (Psalm 119:71). As the psalmist wrote, "It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn Your statutes" (Psalm 119:71).

In the face of suffering, it's easy to ask "Why, God?" and to feel abandoned or forgotten. But the Bible teaches that God is always present and active, even in the midst of suffering. He is working out His purposes and plans, even if we can't see them (Romans 11:33-36). As the prophet Isaiah wrote, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8-9). Ultimately, our trust and faith in God must be based on His character and promises, rather than our feelings or circumstances. As we navigate the complexities of suffering, we must remember that God is sovereign, loving, and present, even when we can't see it.