Why Does God Allow Suffering?

Have you ever gone through a season of suffering and asked, “Why, God?” Maybe it was a painful loss, a devastating betrayal, a sickness, or a situation that felt unbearable. If we are honest, most of us have asked that question at some point.  Human suffering is one of the most difficult realities of life. It can shake our faith, test our endurance, and leave us wondering if God truly cares. Even believers who love the Lord struggle to understand why God allows hardship.

This question is not new. Throughout history, people have wrestled with it. Job, a man described as “blameless and upright” (Job 1:1 NKJV), experienced unimaginable suffering. Even Jesus, while on the cross, cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46 NKJV).

Today, we will look at  why suffering exists and what the Bible says about how God uses it for His greater purposes. Even though we may not always receive the specific answers we desire, we can trust in God’s perfect plan.

Suffering Exists Because We Live in a Fallen World.  Imagine a world with no sickness, no grief, no crime, no death—a paradise where peace reigns. That was God’s original design.

God’s original creation was perfect.   Genesis 1:31 (NKJV) – “Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good.”   In the beginning, there was no pain, suffering, or death. Adam and Eve enjoyed perfect fellowship with God in the Garden of Eden.

Sin brought suffering into the world.   Romans 5:12 (NKJV) – “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.”  When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, sin entered the world, bringing with it spiritual and physical suffering.

Much of the suffering we see—disease, natural disasters, broken relationships—is a result of living in a fallen and sinful world. But even though suffering exists, God has not abandoned us.

Suffering Can Draw Us Closer to God.  Have you ever noticed how people tend to pray more fervently when they’re in trouble? When everything is going well, it’s easy to forget our need for God. But when life brings hardship, we are reminded of how much we depend on Him.

God is near to the brokenhearted.   Psalm 34:18 (NKJV) – “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.”

God is not distant in our pain. He is near, offering comfort and strength.

Suffering teaches reliance on God’s strength.  2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NKJV) – “And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ … For when I am weak, then I am strong.”  Paul recognized that suffering revealed God’s power in his life. When we are weak, we learn to trust in God’s strength.

Instead of pulling away from God in difficult times, let suffering push you toward Him. Let it remind you of your need for His presence, His wisdom, and His strength.

Suffering Can Be Used for Good.  Think of a sculptor shaping a block of marble. The hammer and chisel may seem harsh, but they are necessary to create a masterpiece. In the same way, God uses suffering to shape us into His image.

Joseph’s story illustrates how God can use evil for good.  Genesis 50:20 (NKJV) – “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.”  Though Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, enslaved, and imprisoned, God used his suffering to position him for a greater purpose.

God works all things for the good of His people.  Romans 8:28 (NKJV) – “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”  Not everything we endure is good, but God has the power to bring good from it.

What hardship are you going through right now? Know that God has a plan even in your pain. Trust that His purposes are being worked out, even when you can’t yet see the results.

Jesus Understands Our Suffering!

1. Jesus experienced deep suffering and grief.
• Isaiah 53:3 (NKJV) – “A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.”
• Jesus felt rejection, pain, betrayal, and, ultimately, the agony of the cross.

2. Through His suffering, He provided salvation.
• His greatest suffering—His death on the cross—brought the greatest good: salvation for all who believe in Him.

3. Because Jesus suffered, He understands our pain and walks with us through trials.
• No other religion offers a God who personally knows suffering and enters into it with us.
• He promises never to leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5 NKJV).

When you suffer, remember that Jesus understands. You are never alone in your pain. God Will One Day End All Suffering!

We live in a world filled with pain, but suffering is not the final chapter for those who trust in God.

1. A future without pain is promised to those who belong to Him.
• Revelation 21:4 (NKJV) – “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

2. God’s eternal plan includes restoration and healing.
• One day, we will experience the fullness of God’s kingdom where sin, suffering, and death will be no more.

No matter what you are facing today, take comfort in knowing that the suffering of this world is temporary. God has prepared an eternal home where His people will live forever in joy and peace.

Suffering is never easy, but Scripture gives us several key truths:

I. We live in a fallen world.
II. Suffering can draw us closer to God.
III. God can use suffering for good.
IV. Jesus understands our suffering.
V. One day, suffering will end.

Though we may not always understand why God allows suffering, we can choose to trust Him. He is good, He is sovereign, and He is working in ways we cannot yet see.

Will you trust God even when life doesn’t make sense? Will you draw near to Him in suffering instead of pulling away?

Let us hold onto the hope that one day, suffering will be no more, and we will stand in the presence of our loving Savior, whole and restored.

-Pastor Roy Edwards