Question: If there is a God, why does He allow so much suffering in the world?
Answer: This is an age-old question to which the Scriptures reveal only partial answers. The beginning of the answer lies in the fact that suffering is the result of sin (Genesis 3:16-19). Sin always brings suffering, both to the person who commits the sin, and to those whom the sin affects. It is not fair to blame God for the suffering that results from our sins.
But the question of why righteous people also suffer has always been a tough issue. Essentially, that is the query of the Old Testament book of Job. God described this ancient patriarch as blameless and upright. Yet, God allowed Satan to strip Job of all his possessions, his family, and then his health. He was left with a pile of sores, on a dung heap, wondering why.
The book of Job explores the issue of Job's suffering and why it occurred. Most of this poetic book involves back-and-forth dialogue between Job and three of his friends. His friends concluded that Job must have sinned greatly to suffer so greatly. But they were wrong. Job couldn't see where he has sinned, and he cried out to God for an explanation. He suggested that it was unfair of God to allow evil men to prosper while righteous men suffered.
At the conclusion of the book, God spoke to Job. But He didn't answer the question about human suffering. Rather, He showed Job through various means that He wisely controls everything else in nature and is fully capable of properly managing human suffering as well. We are left without the complete answer we seek.
However, in Jesus we have part of the answer. Jesus suffered for the benefit of others. He never sinned, and He did not deserve to suffer. Yet, it was God's will that He suffer to pay the penalty for our sins.
James 1:2-3 further explains trial and suffering. "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience."
So, we see that initially, human suffering is caused by sin. Because of our own sins, we may suffer disease, loss of friends, or even death. Or, we may suffer because of other peoples' sins. They may steal from, rape, or even murder us.
It is also important to see that while God doesn't cause suffering, He utilizes it for our good. God can take sin's effects and use them to develop patience, maturity, and wisdom in His people. We learn some of life's greatest lessons, not through things that come easily, but through the things we encounter through hardship, sacrifice, and suffering.
The answer to the question about human suffering is many-faceted. There is still much that we don't understand. But Job persevered, and God blessed him with all that he had before his misfortune, and more. In Revelation 2:10, the suffering saints of Smyrna were told, "Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life." God expects us to trust Him to deliver us.
Atheists use this argument to prop up the contention that there is no God. If He is so powerful, loving, compassionate, and kind, why does He allow good people to suffer and evil to continue? Truth be told, suffering often happens to folks who make sinful choices. Evil men do not love God or their fellow men.
Randy dealt with the tougher question-why do good, innocent people suffer? The truth is: it is all part of "life under the sun." Life is a package deal; we get both bad and good. It may be difficult for us to understand how our trials strengthen us, but with God's help and our faith, they can. God is always there to help us get over the hump and on with our journey (Hebrews 13:5,6). Righteous people who suffer have no right to question God's whereabouts; rather, we should question our faith. (KMG)