I’ve had this question for a while, and I don’t think I fully understand why God allows suffering. Is it because suffering helps us rely on God? Or is it because we live in a world of sin where suffering and pain and so on are all around us? I understand that suffering is temporary, but I don’t think I fully comprehend why we suffer and struggle.
Why doesn't God just take away our suffering? Why can't God just free us from disorders and disease?
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Very good topic here @Willow
Suffering
Scripture clearly attests to the reality of human suffering. It is a central element in the curse associated with the fall (Gen 3:16–19), and suffering will not end until the final elimination of pain and suffering when Christ fully inaugurates His kingdom, following His second coming (Rev 21:4). Suffering generally stems from the misuse of human freedom. It originated from Adam and Eve’s choice to disobey God’s command (Rom 5:12–14), and the consequences of their sin led not only to human suffering but also to suffering for all creation (Rom 8:18–22). Given the fall and people’s continuing sinfulness, suffering is an ordinary and expected condition of earthly life (Job 5:7; 14:1; Eccl 2:23; John 16:33).
Suffering is not purely pointless or gratuitous. The Bible sets suffering in a broader and higher context: suffering can be used for the will and purposes of a benevolent God. The Bible affirms that God works all things together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Rom 8:28). It also identifies personal benefits of suffering, such as cultivating virtuous character (Rom 5:1–3; Jas 1:3–5). Though others may inflict suffering for their own evil purposes, and though suffering may befall us as people living in a fallen world, God can bring good from suffering nonetheless (Gen 50:20).
There is an ongoing tendency for fallen people, including the people of God, to freely choose disobedience and suffer as a consequence (Deut 30:15–20; Josh 24:19–28). God, in extreme circumstances, uses suffering as judgment on His covenant people and the sinfulness of other nations (Jer 30:14; Lam 1:5; Dan 9:16; Amos 1:3–2:3). This suffering is meant to turn people back to God and call on Him for deliverance (2 Chr 6:28–30; 20:9).
However, the Bible teaches that God shares in our suffering. The incarnation most clearly portrays this; Jesus takes on flesh and shares in all the vagaries of the human condition, even unto a brutal death on a cross (Heb 5:7–8; 12:2; Phil 2:7–8).
Suffering can also be used by God to transform us, especially when it is done for the sake of the gospel. In such cases, suffering serves as a mark of our identity as children of God (Heb 12:7) and the benefits outweigh the costs that arise from it (Heb 12:11; compare 2 Cor 4:17). Ultimately, the New Testament portrays suffering as an expression of our unity with Christ’s sufferings (Phil 3:10; Col 1:24), thereby advancing the cause of the gospel, both through the example of those who endure and through what it teaches the person who suffers.
God Himself feels pain. He is said to be grieved (Gen 5:6–7; Psa 78:40), moved to pity (Judg 2:18), and clearly wounded by the rejection of Israel (Ezek 16). God may freely choose a course of action that will entail His suffering—most notably His choice to persistently love and redeem His covenant people.
Though God works good purposes for people in this present age, the ultimate reconciliation and redemption of suffering await a future time. Peter’s exhortation for people to trust God their very life—even in the midst of suffering—points explicitly to the justice of God’s judgment upon Jesus’ return (1 Pet 2:23; compare Phil 2:8–11; Heb 12:8, 22–24). These verses indicate that there is an “already—not yet” aspect to the resolution of human suffering. Though Christ provides believers with strength for transforming suffering in the here and now, ultimate resolution of human suffering awaits His return. The resolution of suffering, mourning, and grieving is one of the repeated promises of God’s future blessing for His people (Isa 35:10; 51:11; 65:19; Rev 7:17; 21:4).
Richard C. Langer
Stay strong in Messiah, we are all going through this.
Shalom.
J.
“Why does God allow suffering?” Is not a question the Bible avoids. In fact, Scripture answers it plainly on several levels.
Suffering exists because this is not the way God created the world to be. Sin shattered it. “By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin.” ~Romans 5: 12 Dis-ease, disorder, pain, and decay are not accidents. This world has groaned ever since creation was torn from the hand of God by sin.
That is why Scripture states so matter-of-factly that the entire creation has been groaning ever since. Like something wounded and waiting to be healed ~Romans 8:22
If that’s the case, why doesn’t God fix it already?
Because this is not the day of restoration. This is the day of redemption. God is not repairing the old creation. One day, yes. But for now, He is making a new one. “We ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” ~Romans 8: 23 One day there will be a sure and complete healing. But in this life, it is promised for the resurrection, not granted on demand.
Does God allow suffering to lure us back to Him? Yes. But not because suffering is good. It’s just that when life is comfortable, we easily wander from the Shepherd. Scripture doesn’t beat around the bush. “Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.” ~Psalm 119:67 Discomfort and pain strips the cosmetics away and forces us to remember who we lean on.
Do not misunderstand me. Suffering is not always the loving hand of God correcting us. When Jesus’ disciples posed that very question about the man born blind, Jesus quickly shut that idea down. Jesus allowed that blindness, not because of personal sin, but “that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” ~John 9:3
Sometimes suffering doesn’t fall under our big-red-STOP light labeled “Correction.” Sometimes it’s under the “Displaying Strength” sign where God gets the glory.
Even the Apostle Paul pleaded with God to take away his suffering. God refused ~2 Corinthians 12:9. If God won’t always remove our burdens, maybe it’s because He wants to supply our weakness.
If God rid the world of suffering today, you would begin to look around and think you were home. But we’re not. Scripture says we are “strangers and pilgrims.” Living in a world that is not our home ~1 Peter 2: 11 Suffering reminds us we were not created to find our final comfort in a broken world.
If suffering has a final answer it’s in what is coming. And what is coming has already been promised by God. No suffering there. “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying.” ~Revelation 21:4
The Bible’s answer stands firm. God permits suffering because the world is fallen, today is the day of redemption, and glory is coming. A coming glory that will make every tear, every pang of suffering seem as small as a speck of dust compared to what is ahead. “The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” ~Romans 8:18
It’s good that you asked that question. Scripture answers by taking your eyes off of today and securing them on what God has promised will come tomorrow.
I don’t pretend to fully understand suffering either, but this is what I think. Much of our suffering is the result of disobeying God’s commands. He gave those commands to protect us and because He loves us. He knows that if we don’t follow them, there will be a consequence. We also suffer at the hand of other people’s actions just like other people can suffer from our actions. Take Adam and Eve for instance. They had one command and were given the consequence of disobeying that command. ”You shall surely die.” They did it anyways and all of mankind through the ages has suffered because of it. For this we were given God’s Son and by faith in Him we are redeemed. This is God’s solution to what we lost through Adam. Then there’s suffering like grief when a loved one dies and death is also a result of man’s original parents. Everything goes back to garden of Eden and that first sin.
Adam was set up by God to be the caretaker of Earth. He was united with God in a relationship that’s since been lost. Adam was given the task of tending to the earth. All the animals were brought to him and he chose their names. The earth was God’s, but in partnership with man it would be looked after. That partnership ended when they sinned. Their connection was broken and Satan stepped in to rule the earth. He is the god of this age and the cause of all suffering.
But as @Johann has said, God uses our suffering for His own purpose. To teach, to strengthen, to mold us and grow us up in His Son. His Son is always with us and especially in our suffering. Look at Job and what he went through and look at what God taught him in it. Life is always worth living because the unpleasant moment will always pass.
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@Willow, you asked:
“Why doesn’t God just take away our suffering? Why can’t God just free us from disorders and disease?”
My simple-man’s response is much simpler.
“That IS the plan.”
The permanent removal of pain, suffering, disease, and disorder is the very purpose God gave Himself to pay our debt. It is our Hope; a hope that will not disappoint. It is a sure hope, even more sure than the expectation of a sunrise tomorrow.
He has said it, He will do it!
“The glory of the LORD shall be revealed, And all flesh shall see it together; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” Isaiah 40:5 (NKJV)
We are waiting, anticipating the fullness of the church to be brought into the Kingdom; glorious waiting, purposeful waiting, productive waiting, obedient waiting, hopeful waiting.
We wait and we..
“…consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. (Romans 8:18-19)
Wait. The very thing you desire is in the wings…
"But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
(Isaiah 40:31)
Why doesn’t He?
He has and He will!
PTL
KP
without suffering the natural man tends towards every imagination of the heart only evil continuously.