Big questions
Why does God allow suffering?
There is no complete answer, and the Bible doesn’t pretend there is. It does say three things: suffering is not how God meant the world to be, God has entered into it himself in Jesus, and he has promised to bring it to an end.
An honest question
This is probably the hardest question anyone asks about God, and for many people it is not an abstract one. The Bible does not brush it aside. A large part of the Psalms consists of people asking God “why?” and “how long?”, and a whole book, Job, is given to a good man’s undeserved suffering. God never rebukes people for bringing him their pain.
Not how things were meant to be
The Bible says God made a good world, and that it has been spoiled by humanity’s turning away from him. A great deal of suffering comes directly from human choices: violence, greed, neglect, betrayal. The Bible says the natural world is out of joint as well, which is why there is disease and disaster.
That does not mean a particular person’s suffering is a punishment for their particular sins. Jesus explicitly rejected that idea when people put it to him (John 9:1–3; Luke 13:1–5).
A God who has suffered
Christianity makes a distinctive claim here. God has not stayed at a distance from our pain. In Jesus he became human and experienced rejection, grief, betrayal, injustice, torture and death. Whatever the reason God allows suffering, it cannot be that he does not care.
For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin.
A God who is near
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
The promise in that psalm is not that believers avoid the dark valley. It is that they do not walk it alone. Jesus told his followers plainly to expect trouble, and promised his presence in it.
I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have oppression; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.
A God who will end it
The resurrection of Jesus is the Christian’s ground for believing that suffering and death will not have the last word. The Bible ends with God making the world new.
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.
A God who brings good out of evil
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.
This verse does not say that everything that happens is good. It says that God is able to work for good even through what is bad. The cross is the clearest case: the worst thing human beings ever did became the means of their rescue.
If you are suffering now
Explanations are of limited use when you are in pain. You are allowed to tell God exactly how you feel, including anger. Please don’t carry it by yourself: talk to someone you trust, and consider contacting a local church, where people will be glad to listen and to pray with you. If you are struggling to cope, you can call Samaritans free on 116 123 at any time of day or night.