Why Suffering?

As a Christian, we are often confronted with the accusation of this question; followed by the inevitable question, "If God is so good why does He allow suffering?"

The fact is, suffering happens almost as frequently as does His blessings. Yet, we are continually confronted with the suffering question.

The unbeliever wears it like a badge of proof that God does not exist, therefore why should they believe in a God who takes delight in suffering? The believer should wear it like a badge too, for in suffering we grow stronger, in suffering Jesus was made perfect.

Sure, it would have been easier for God to create a perfect world, yet to do so would require a lack of miracles. No need for forgiveness. No need for salvation, no need for earth, for eternity... no need.

Still, God in His eternal wisdom knew sin would come into play. He knew there would be the fall, and the pain of the consequences.

He knew there would be a need for forgiveness and for salvation.

A world totally protected by a Creator would serve no purpose for us, or apparently for Him, and we would eventually resent His benevolent actions, as a person on welfare does, and sooner or later we would bite the hand that feeds us.

Want to know more? Read on

Why Does God Allow Suffering?

Robbie L. Rogers

We see suffering on a massive scale. Global wars, starvation, genocide, natural disasters, all are pointed at continually by the scoffer to the believer. Hardly ever is there a time when there is not plenty of ammunition in current day events. Each day we pick up the paper, or watch the news, or connect to the Internet, we read or hear of plan crashes, sinking ships, unhappy marriages, involuntary singleness, depression, loneliness, poverty, persecution, rejection, unemployment, injustice, fiery temptations, disappointment and so on.

Suffering comes in all manner or forms and no one is immune to it. However, we see in the Bible in Genesis, chapter one and two, that suffering was not part of God’s original creation, or order. Suffering came into play when humanity rebelled against God.

According to Revelation Chapter 21, there will be no more suffering in the new heaven and earth, no crying, no pain. Through this we can see that suffering is actually an alien intrusion into God’s world, one brought about by envy, the root of rebellion.

"Okay," you say. "If all suffering is caused directly or indirectly from sin, why did God allow sin to come into the world?"

Good question. He did so because He gave us free will. All the while knowing we would make and often do the wrong thing. Love is not love if it is forced. It can only be love if there is free choice along with the freedom to love or not to love. God gave us all this choice and from the beginning; we often choose wrong.

Most suffering is brought about by our own doing, sin; the inevitable consequences of our actions. Breaking God’s laws, whether they are natural or moral laws, bears the burden of an opposite reaction.

Blaming God is not a fair conclusion. If a person abuses drugs, addiction may become the consequences. A person who drinks excessively, may become an alcoholic. If one of those people drives a car or operates equipment under the wrong conditions, the results may cause immense pain, suffering and even death. In that case, it is not God who caused it period, it is sin.

In like manner, selfishness, greed, lust, arrogance and bad temper often lead to broken relationships and unhappiness, our sins against each other.

It is totally unrealistic to expect God to step in and prevent all things to all people; this is what the unbeliever would propose God should do.

However, it is important to point out that not all suffering is brought about by our own sin. It maybe appropriate for us to examine our own hearts when we are suffering. Still, we must be very careful about making judgments about why we or others are suffering.

Furthermore, much suffering is a direct result of other’s sin. War is always the direct result of human sin, even if it is on both sides. Starvation is caused by unequal food distribution, or greed. Murder, adultery, theft, sexual abuse, unloving parents, reckless or drunken drivers, slander, unkindness or selfishness of one kind or another causes much suffering.

We cannot answer why a particular individual or nation suffers, consequently, we can not rush to judgment. Estimates suggest as much as 95 percent of all the world’s suffering is brought about by man’s inhumanity. This leaves only a small percent that can only be explained as the results of living in a fallen world. Natural disasters are a result of the dysfunctional and changed creation, much like we see in a demented individual.

All suffering appears to be not good; and indeed should be avoided. Nevertheless, God uses such in all of us to the good. "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscious, but shouts to us in our pain." C. S. Lewis

God often uses suffering to bring us to maturity. One image used in scriptures involves discipline from God. "Our earthly fathers disciplines us for a little while as they felt best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness." Hebrew12:10

God also uses suffering to make us more fruitful. Jesus used the example of a master gardener, pruning his vines, even though they are fruitful, "So they may bear more fruit." John 15:2

He also uses suffering to bring about His good purposes. "In all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

It is not always easy to see at the time what God is doing for our good. Yet, God more than compensates us for our suffering. What we can be sure of, God understands and suffers with us. He is not a God who is immune from suffering. He watched His son die an agonizing death on the cross that we might live. As it says in 1 Corinthians 5:19, God was in Christ, the crucified God, reconciling the world to Himself. He became one of us that we might live with Him. He suffered in all the ways in which we suffer. He doesn’t just know about suffering, He has suffered Himself. And, we are not alone in our suffering, He suffers with us.

The questions we should ask, "Is this suffering the result of my own sin?"

Next, "What is God showing me through this?"

Then "What does God want me to do in this?"

Finally we need to hold on to the hope. Life is always a mixture of blessings and battles, and we should remember that the battles only last a while. His blessings last forever.

If our suffering is caused by the sin of others... we are not in the position to throw stones. For we are all sinners. We should be careful about rushing to judgment concerning others.

If you desire to know more about this Jesus Christ who loves you, and you want to ask Him into your heart, receiving His Saving Grace please click on this Salvation Prayer