Why would a loving God allow suffering?

This question has bothered many throughout history.

Some use it as an excuse to dismiss God; they don't really care about the suffering around them. While others genuinely want to find the truth.

Let's look at this question.

How do you like your suffering? With hope - one lump or two? Or do you prefer hope-free?

Whether it's a God-created universe or an atheistic one, there is still suffering.

The difference is that if there is a God, there's hope of justice and a better life beyond this one. None of this is available however in a dead, mechanical universe where we are nothing more than bags of chemicals.

Let's not kid ourselves: beauty, love, even the value of life - these are nothing more than illusions in an atheistic universe

However, the suffering is still real; except that there is no answer.

On the other hand, if there's a God, who created the universe and is therefore beyond its limitations: there is hope of justice and true meaning for life.

The question of a loving God and suffering

But the question remains. If there is a God, and is loving - how can He also permit suffering?

The following quote from the Bible gives us a picture of God, man and suffering:

God created man in his own image. In God's image he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them. God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
(Genesis chapter 1, verses 27-28)

According to this, God made man (and women) in his image, and he gave them dominion (rulership) over the earth.

Dominion includes these things:

• freedom of choice;
• the power to make a difference.

We must understand that the impossibility of doing harm means either a lack of freedom of choice, or the lack of power to make a difference. You cannot have all three: freedom, power, and harmlessness.

Indeed, throughout history, mankind has shown great power in doing both good and harm.

We need to understand: for God to prevent this, he would have to take away our power as free agents. We would then cease to be any longer made in his image

Evil would not be possible - but neither would true love.

If God has created other beings such as angels, they, too have the choice of doing good or evil.

According to the Bible, Satan is one such creature. Originally good, but chose evil. And the Bible teaches him to be the ultimate cause of suffering in the world.

But we need to remember that mankind is not innocent in this.

In other words, a truly loving God had to permit suffering, and this suffering has to be real.

However, He also offers us something beyond a suffering world.

God promises something far better

I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth have passed away, and the sea is no more. I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. I heard a loud voice out of heaven saying, “Behold, God's dwelling is with people, and he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more. The first things have passed away.” He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” He said, “Write, for these words of God are faithful and true.”
(Revelation chapter 21, verses 1-5)

For a world with God, suffering isn't the be-all and end-all. There will be justice; also, the suffering will merely be a short moment - compared to an eternal joy!

But remember that a world without God has nothing to offer, only suffering and injustice.

Suffering is important and it is valuable

Suffering can bring the following, priceless, benefits.

1. It creates compassion. Unless we ourselves go through suffering, we cannot truly help others in it.

“I feel your pain!” rings hollow coming from someone who hasn't felt it.

Somebody who has gone through hardship, on the other hand, is not only genuinely able to empathize, but they may give strength, encouragement, and even useful advice coming from what they've been through.

The Bible also says,

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
(2 Corinthians chapter 1, verses 3-4)

This gives rise to the question: Has God Himself gone through suffering? We will look at this a little later.

2. Suffering develops character, endurance, humility, the faith to dedicate ourselves to work for a cause that's bigger than ourselves, etc.

But he knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I shall come out like gold. My foot has held fast to his steps. I have kept his way, and not turned away. I have not gone back from the commandment of his lips. I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
(Job chapter 23, verses 10-12)

Bear in mind that suffering is not the only problem in this world.

Bowing to threats and intimidations, giving into temptation and bribery, and plain foolishness: these things have damaged the integrity of many - leading to the increase in suffering around the world.

There will be difficult choices to make, leading to good, or to harm. There will be temptations and pressures from various sources. There will also be persecution, from those who love the evil and hate the good.

It's true to say this: to be a part of the solution rather than part of the problem - necessarily involves suffering.

3. Suffering (and other evils) present opportunities to do good, to be lights in a dark world, to show a better way!

Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
(Matthew chapter 5 verse 16)

Not only compassion, but labour and innovation to reduce suffering. Showing the goodness of God - this is part of God's will.

It is through the sin of man, that man can be saved from his sin!

God is not only love; He is holy. His holiness demands justice for sin.

For you are not a God who has pleasure in wickedness. Evil cannot live with you. The arrogant shall not stand in your sight. You hate all workers of iniquity. You will destroy those who speak lies. The LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.
(Psalms chapter 5, verses 4-6)

Unfortunately some christians focus on preaching the evils of some sin but turn a blind eye to others. Or they do not care about the suffering of others. This is not good, and God is not mocked.

The world can see the hypocrisy, and complicity, of the church throughout history - and so can God. But know that He is truly good and just.

So there will be justice.

But we are all guilty of sin ... where does that leave us?

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Romans chapter 6 verse 23)

This is not talking about physical death; this comes to all of us. It is in fact something far worse.

Yet God is also love and has provided a way of salvation, through His Son Jesus Christ.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
(John chapter 3 verse 16)

This verse only touches the surface.

First, “He gave his only begotten Son”.

Jesus: God who became man (John 1:1-3; 1:14).

Jesus was tempted by Satan (Matthew 4:1-11), was beaten and put to death on a cross by man (Acts 2:23). He suffered and died. We see all this was at the hands of Satan and men!

Jesus Christ also rose from the dead, overcoming sin (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 1 John 3:5; 8). In accomplishing these things, He is now the source of salvation to all who obey Him (Hebrews 5:7-9).

God provided a way of salvation. This is through the suffering, death, and resurrection of His Son.

But God could not bring this about directly - since He is holy. Thus, He used Satan's and man's sin to bring it about!

Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out! “For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” “Or who has first given to him, and it will be repaid to him again?” For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things. To him be the glory for ever! Amen
(Romans chapter 11, verses 33-36)

Second, "that whoever believes in him" - is much more than passive faith (James 2:14-19; 2:26).

You hear an announcement coming over the sound system. The building is on fire and you need to make an orderly exit to the safety zone. ... Do you believe it if you don't act on it? Obviously, not. Faith is the basis for action;s faith alone is nothing.

If you love me, keep my commandments.
(John chapter 14 verse 15)

The Bible teaches what it is to be a disciple of Jesus.

Conclusion: the question of God and suffering

Without God, there is still suffering. It's just that, in that case, there's no hope or meaning to life. We are nothing more than bags of chemicals in a dead, mechanical universe.

However, if there is God - there is hope beyond this life.

But why does God allow suffering? This is a complex, multi-faceted, question.

1. God created us to be sovereign age, in His image. This gave us both decision-making ability, and the power to make a difference. To do this for good or for harm. Anything less would take away our sovereignty. If we don't have the ability to do harm, neither have we the ability to genuinely love.

2. Suffering brings compassion and life-experience to help others.

3. Suffering builds the character we need, in order to fight the evil in the world - rather than being part of the problem.

4. And suffering gives us an opportunity to be lights, to turn the evil and the suffering around.

5. It is through suffering, and the sin which causes it - that God gave us a way of salvation. In His Son, Jesus Christ: who suffered, died, rose again, and overcame the evil.

Finally, those who become His disciples can expect to follow in His suffering. 1 Peter 2:20-25; John 15:18-23; 2 Timothy 3:12.