If God Exists, Why is there Suffering?

There is suffering: because we live in a fallen world.

The decisions of a king affect his entire nation. If he governs wisely, his people prosper. If he squanders the nation’s wealth, everyone bears the cost – even future generations. When a king declares war, he does not fight alone; his decision affects every citizen.

In the beginning, God created a perfect paradise for mankind. There was no death, disease, pain or suffering. It was never His design for us to live in a corrupt world or in dying bodies. God placed Adam in this perfect creation and entrusted him with the freedom to choose.
Adam was the head of the human race. When he chose to rebel against God, his decision did not affect him alone. Like a king whose choices shape the destiny of his people, Adam’s rebellion brought consequences upon every generation that followed. Humanity was expelled from paradise, spiritually separated from God, and subjected to physical death.
When tragedy strikes, we often point a finger towards heaven and ask, “How could God allow disasters, disease and war?” Yet we must remember that we are no longer living in Eden. The world we experience today is not the paradise God originally created – it is the world mankind has corrupted through sin. As each generation continues making sinful choices, the suffering only deepens. This is not God’s failure; it is humanity living with the consequences of its rebellion against its Creator.
God is perfect righteousness and He cannot simply overlook sin. His justice demands that evil be judged, for “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). Yet God is also perfect love. Rather than leaving us under condemnation, He chose to bear our punishment Himself. God entered our broken world in the person of Jesus Christ and willingly bore the consequences of our rebellion. As Scripture declares: “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive” (1 Cor. 15:22).
Because Christ died on the Cross and rose again, the way back to paradise is open. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). Adam lost paradise through one act of disobedience, but through faith in Christ we can reclaim paradise by receiving the gift of eternal life (John 3:16).
So stop searching for Heaven in this fallen world – you will never find it here. Our hope is not in repairing a broken world but in the Saviour who came to rescue us from it. Christ offers forgiveness today and the promise of a perfect paradise tomorrow. The decision is now ours.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

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There is suffering: because warnings are ignored.

In the early hours of 15 April 1912, the “unsinkable” RMS Titanic struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic and slipped beneath the icy waters, taking the lives of more than 1,500 people. It was a tragedy that should never have happened. Throughout her voyage, the Titanic received repeated warnings about ice ahead, yet they were ignored.

Life can be much the same. We are all on our own maiden voyage, and many tragedies begin when we ignore the warning signs. Poor eating habits, too little or too much exercise, alcohol or drug abuse, and unhealthy lifestyles often produce pain and discomfort – signals that our bodies need us to change course. In the same way, depression, bitterness, fear, jealousy, pride and despair can be warning lights that something is wrong within our soul. Yet we often dismiss these signs, believing we are somehow unsinkable. Then, when we finally collide with the consequences of our choices, we are quick to blame God for the disaster.
Both as individuals and as nations, the course we choose will either steer us safely towards our destination or lead us into danger. God gives us the freedom to choose our direction. Yet because He knows the future, He sees the icebergs hidden beyond the horizon long before we do. Through His Word, His Spirit, wise counsel and the conviction of our conscience, He lovingly warns us to change course. If we ignore those warnings, we must also accept the consequences of our choices.
God is not to blame for our poor choices or life’s many tragedies. Yet neither does He abandon those who are sinking. Unlike the Titanic, where there were not enough lifeboats for everyone, God’s rescue is never limited. His grace is sufficient for every person who calls upon Him. No one is turned away, and no one is beyond His reach. If your life is taking on water, don’t wait until it’s too late. Call on the Lord today. He delights in rescuing those who put their trust in Him, and His lifeboat of grace always has room for one more.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.  Proverbs 3: 5-6.

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There is suffering: at our own hands.

We all want to be safe from those who would harm us.  When our ‘way of life’ or safety is in jeopardy, we are quick to cry out for protection.  The police protect us from criminals within our community, and the military protect us from enemies beyond, but who is there to protect us from doing harm to ourselves.   

God wants to protect us from those who would hurt us.  Naturally, we also want this (we constantly pray asking God to keep us safe from harm); however, what if the person harming us the most is ourself?  Typically, it’s our own choices that prevent us from gaining true happiness and becoming everything God intends for us.  Sadly, it’s often our own foolish decisions that mess our lives and destroy future opportunities.  It is usually our own thoughts and actions (or lack thereof) that has led us to our unfit, or lonely, or depressed state.
So, when we are our own worst enemy, how can God protect us from self? He will do what He does with all enemies of Christianity, discipline them and frustrate their plans.  God is going to fight for us (Jer 15:20).  Often when we are chastised by our Heavenly Father, it is a gracious act of protection – divine intervention to save us from ourselves. For whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights. Proverbs 3:12 
The upside to this is no matter what has happened in the past, every new day is a divine-gift where we have an opportunity to grow: mentally, physically and spiritually.  If we avoid thinking, consuming and doing things that hinder our growth, we will evade much discipline and slowly open up a world of new opportunities that continue into eternity.
Blessed is anyone who endures temptation.  Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him. (James 1:12).

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There is suffering: for the purpose of new growth.

It is amazing how we can cut pieces from some plants, then put the cuttings in soil where they take root and grow.  From the sacrifice of one plant, many new plants can be cultivated.

God is not the author of suffering.  He intended Eden (paradise) for mankind.  Suffering is a direct result of man’s freewill being used in opposition to God’s plan.
Though God does not desire suffering, He sometimes allows afflictions (cuttings) to occur for the purpose of new growth.  In looking at the big picture, God is working all things together for good for our eternal happiness – not necessarily for our temporal happiness (Rom 8:28).  As in Job’s case, any suffering we are undergoing may be the cause of future growth – both for ourselves and for many others.  Furthermore, disasters, large or small, remind believers and unbelievers alike that their time is limited and Heaven cannot and will not be found on earth. 
Every day, God works silently behind the scenes stopping millions of disasters we will never know about.  When God does allow a disaster to take its course, He has taken every minute detail into account.  He has the foresight to know the suffering and sacrifice of one person can lead to the inspiration and salvation of many. 
We must trust God in our crisis.  Sometimes the greatest triumphs emerge from the greatest tragedies.  Where would we be if God did not allow Christ to suffer on our behalf?
‘He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season…’ Psalms 1:3a

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Parents put their children through the pain of having injections believing that a small amount of temporal distress is far better than a serious illness later.

God allows suffering in our life for the same reason.  Often, adversity in life will generate wisdom which, in turn, provides immunity against making serious mistakes later. 
From the eternal perspective, it is far better to have a life of suffering if it leads us to Christ and eternal salvation – than to live a life of prosperity if it leads us to an eternity separated from God in Hell.  
Our Heavenly Father has our best interests at heart.  He doesn’t want any of His children to suffer everlasting damnation separated from His divine provision.  Like any good parent, He would rather we go through temporary discomfort if it eventually leads us safely to Heaven.   Remember, life here on Earth is just a pinprick compared to eternity.
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come to judgment, but passed from death into life.” John 5:24.

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There is suffering: to make us stronger.

Metal is shaped and strengthened through heating.  A diamond is formed through pressure.  Beautiful ceramic pottery must go through the fiery kiln.  An athlete’s body is formed through punishing exercise.

When experiencing adversity, we sometimes ask: ‘Why is God punishing me?’  Usually, God is not punishing – but preparing.  He uses life’s sufferings to either remind us that we are on the wrong track or to strengthen and refine our soul (Hebrews 12:5-6). 
God has a specific plan for each of us, and it is up to us to voluntarily put ourselves in His hands.  When we do, it’s like placing a metal rod in the hands of a master-blacksmith.  Soon we feel the heat and pressure as God toughens our spiritual metal.  He will allow difficult circumstances to hammer us into a useful shape. 
At times the adversity we go through will feel like it could break us, but God is the Master Blacksmith – He knows our limits and has promised that life will not test us beyond what we can handle (1 Corinthians 10:13).  If we stay the course and leave ourselves in His capable hands, we will come out of our ordeal stronger than we have ever been and eminently ready for the specific purpose for which we were created.
We should remember: many great things are born from suffering.  Greatest of all is salvation which came from the indescribable suffering of Jesus Christ on the cross.
And we know all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28. 

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There is suffering: from bad choices.

Apart from God’s gracious gifts, most things in life have a price. Don’t be fooled – we seldom get out of paying. We either pay beforehand or pay later, often with interest.
Buy now – pay later, may be an acceptable concept when buying goods in life, but “paying later” is to be avoided when it applies to our physical body. If we don’t find time to exercise or eat the right food, then we will pay later when our body gets sick and fails.

That which is true of the body is often true of the spirit. We may say we believe in God and are a Christian, but if we don’t find time to study God’s Word, to trust in Him and utilise His power, we will certainly pay a price later when life’s many problems break us. 
We live in a fast-paced world filled with mental break downs, depression and suicide. We are all running up accounts of stress that must be paid some day. We can save much grief and avoid mounting debts if we simply remember – prevention is better than the cure. God says we should be without fear and worry, and our burden should be light (Mat 11:30) – but here is where we go wrong, we fail to hand our problems to Him.
Each day we should put aside a little time to be with God and exercise our trust in Him. Yes, this is difficult as we have so many other distractions vying for our attention – but what is the alternative? If we keep running up debt we will eventually become spiritually bankrupt. We will never have the inner peace promised in the Bible. 
We must give our mounting debt of stress, fear and worry to our Heavenly Father and sincerely trust that He has the resources and solutions to resolve them.
“Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

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There is suffering: because we separate ourselves from God.

It would be ridiculous to cut through the branch on which we sat.  The branch is supported by the tree and, in separating our perch from its support, not surprisingly we would go plummeting down.

Similarly, if we cut ourselves off from God, we sever the very support that sustains us.  God supplies all our needs.  He upholds and governs all the laws of science.  He controls the traffic of the universe.  He maintains the delicate balance in nature, such as oxygen, sunshine and gravity, which keeps us alive every moment.  He has promised to sustain all those who acknowledge His Word.  And He has written His wisdom (the Bible) to increase enjoyment in life for those who apply it, thus providing a place of refuge which puts everything in perspective.
How silly to separate our existence from our Omnipotent Benefactor.  When cutting loose from our ‘Divine Support’ we should not be surprised when our life takes a dramatic plummet downward.
I have blotted out like a thick cloud, your transgressions, and like a cloud, your sins.  Return to Me, for I have redeemed you. Isaiah 44:22
Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened and I will give you rest.  Matthew 11:28 NJB

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There is suffering: because we have been chosen for a special mission.

A missionary is someone sent on a mission.  A Christian missionary is understood to be a spiritually-gifted person sent to a foreign country to overcome language and cultural barriers in order to teach the Gospel.

We have a very narrow view of what is involved in being a missionary if we believe it is only to preach in foreign countries.  God has a mission for each of us. He requires us all to be missionaries within our immediate surroundings.  We are to witness to those who cross our path whether at home, school or work, with both our words and actions.  As Christians, we should be beacons of integrity, grace and peace.  When those sharing our daily grind ask why we have an inner peace and joy for living which they lack, we can reply in lingo they understand.
However, missionary work is even broader than this.  Sometimes God requires us to go into foreign circumstances (adversity or prosperity) where our lives are dramatically changed.  No-one complains about prosperity, but when suddenly hit with adversity we could initially curse God and ask: ‘Why have You afflicted me with this tragedy?  Haven’t I tried to follow You with all my heart?’ 
In response, God may convey to us that many people are also suffering through similar tragedies and they, too, have been calling out in confusion and seeking answers.  Because of this, God needed a strong Christian who understood their pain, who could give them answers, comfort and lead them to Christ and eternal life by example. 
When our lives are suddenly and dramatically changed, it could be that God has specially chosen us for a very important mission.  God knows that our hardship will not only strengthen our faith but will give us an insight to what others are enduring.  God is preparing us to be a “missionary of circumstance” and our life will be a blessing to many.
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  James 1:2-3.

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There is suffering: so many will seek salvation.

A week before the February 2009 Bushfires in Australia, fire-fighters were control-burning bushland trying to prevent the sort of tragedy that soon followed.  At the time, something very unusual happened – a koala, driven to extreme thirst, allowed a fireman to approach and accepted a drink of life-saving water.  The incident was filmed and shown around the world.

Since the fall of mankind from perfect environment, the world has been greatly corrupted.  Between the devil’s tyrannical ruler-ship and self-centered human freewill, the planet has become a place of wars, sickness and suffering.  Sadly, we are born into a sinful world that is far from the original design of our loving Creator.
However, when disaster occurs, we naturally question why God allows it to happen.  God knows of all events beforehand and, because of this, He is consciously aware that a greater disaster (Hell) is heading towards those who have not accepted His ‘gift of salvation’. 
God does not want anyone to perish.  As proof of this, He took on the form of a man (through Jesus Christ) and paid the complete penalty for all sins on the cross - so that whoever believes in Him will receive eternal-life (John 3:16). 
However, God also gave people free-will and does not force anyone to accept His gift.  Consequently, the greatest of all disasters is to reject the ‘gift of eternal salvation’.
God does not desire any to suffer in life and He grieves at the terrible loss, yet He sometimes allows disasters to take their course so masses of people wake-up to their mortality and start seeking spiritual answers.  Only during such times of dire hopelessness do many people allow God to approach and accept His life-giving ‘waters’ of eternal salvation.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 6:23

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There is suffering: to remind us that we need help.

If we had the powers of superman, with all the fame and approbation that goes with it, how long would it take for us to become super-proud? 

Those who are rich in beauty, strength, wealth, success or power, seldom seek God.  Jesus said: ‘It’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of the needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.’
When we are rich with the things of this life, it is easy to start believing you have it all sorted; you’re totally independent – a lone wolf.  Bit by bit, we soon start echoing Satan’s sentiment: ‘I don’t need God – I can be my own god’, (Isaiah 14:13-14).  We easily forget, if not for the grace of God, we wouldn’t have the basic necessities to keep ourselves alive, such as: gravity, oxygen, sunshine and water.  More importantly, we can’t save ourselves from Judgment through our own merit, (Ephesians 2:8-9).
If not for sudden loss, failure, rejection or sickness, many of us would never learn how dependent we truly are. In this corrupted world, God is not the author of suffering; however, He will use life’s rude awakenings to encourage His wayward children back to Him. 
God never intended this crooked planet to be our permanent home.  He desires Heaven for all His earthly children.  Yet, at the point of death, God must respect the decision of those who chose self-dependence and have rejected His salvation. God will separate Himself from them for eternity.  And, a place devoid of God’s graceful provision can only be described as Hell, (John 3:16). 
The clock is ticking.  We only have a limited time to seek Him.  All we need is a spare split-second and faith (in Jesus Christ) to assure our place in Heaven, (John 3:36).
Sadly, too many are super-proud and have no time for God.  They are far too independent to seek salvation.  Instead, they lean heavily on their riches, their beauty, their popularity and their natural ability.  This is why God often allows our crutches to be kicked out from under.  For most of us, it requires falling flat on our faces to finally ask for a heavenly hand-up. 
As the Apostle Paul testifies in 2 Corinthians 12:10: Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.

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There is suffering: Caused From Good Intentions

A man saw a mother duck and her duckling crossing a busy road.  Without a second thought, he heroically jumped in front of the traffic.  Unfortunately, his good-intentioned deed triggered a massive car pile-up that froze the city’s traffic for the rest of the day and caused much injury and property damage. 

All of us soon learn that a good intentioned deed can often have tragic results.  We mean well but do not take into account the many variables.  Fortunately, God knows all outcomes.  At times He allows certain adversities to take their course in people’s lives to give those concerned the opportunity to come to Him and grow in grace. 
God knows that strength is made from overcoming struggles.  However, when we see people going through difficulty we are inclined to heroically rush in to instantly sort out their problems.
What have we done?  We have come between them and God and inadvertently robbed them of their chance to grow.  Our sympathy and sudden interference may cost more than we know.  This is not to say we should do nothing.  But before jumping in with well-intentioned aid and advice, we should ask ourselves: do we know the facts?  Is our support and interference needed or even wanted? Are we taking sides in an argument that is none of our business?  Are we making ourselves a financial-crutch so people lean on us instead of God?  Is our desire to help from our own impulsive-nature or is it Divinely-inspired?
We may have good intentions but this will not stop unfortunate consequences.  Before we impulsively rush in (even with our own children), we should ask if the struggle they are going through is an opportunity for personal growth.  If in doubt we should seek wisdom from God – He has amazing ways of turning tragedies into triumphs.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5.

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There is suffering: when we take shortcuts.

A shortcut is a deviation from an established route that enables one to arrive more quickly at a desired destination.  The problem with shortcuts is they often end in disaster.

Many seek a shortcut to JOY & INNER-PEACE by using alcohol and drugs. Many seek a shortcut to LOVE & SELF-ESTEEM through unrestrained sexual activity.  Many seek a shortcut to PROSPERITY & SUCCESS by lying, cheating and through criminal behaviour.   We may think these shortcuts will get us to our destination quicker, but such deviations always end in disaster.
God wants us to be fulfilled and happy, but to reach this destination we need to follow the established path He has ordained.  God’s way is long for a reason – capacity must come before blessing.  We often think God is trying to stop us from having fun.  This is not true – He is actually trying to lead us to the place where we can experience real JOY, LOVE and PROSPERITY. 
God knows that our shortcuts in life inevitably end in disaster (He’s been watching the human race for a long time).  When we seek shortcuts, we only hurt ourselves in the long run.  If we trust in God and follow His established paths (Biblical doctrines) and do our best not to deviate (sin), we will ultimately arrive at a place of true inner-happiness, integrity and self-esteem.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

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There is suffering: To Refine Us

Gold doesn’t come out of the ground gleaming. It’s mixed with impurities like rock and other metals. To make it pure, the gold must go through intense heat in a furnace. As the heat rises, the impurities rise to the surface and are skimmed off, leaving behind refined, shining gold. It’s only under the pressure of extreme temperatures that the gold becomes its best, most valuable form.

In the same way, Christians go through refining fires in life. God allows tough situations, painful trials, and uncomfortable seasons to come our way – not to harm us, but to shape us into people of genuine, Christ-like character. He’s not the source of the world’s suffering. Much of our pain comes from our own poor choices, the choices of others, or simply living in a fallen world. Yet God, in His kindness, uses these very circumstances to purify us. He never wastes our pain.
When life gets hard, the fire exposes what’s lurking beneath the surface. These life trials burn off the dross in us: our hypocrisy melts away when we’re humbled; our false pride is broken when life doesn’t go to our plan; our insensitivity softens when we’ve felt pain ourselves; our self-absorption fades when we’re forced to depend on others or serve them; our callowness and shallowness are melted away when we face real hardship and are made to be deeper, (1 Peter 1:6-7).
God promises He won’t test us beyond what we can bear (1 Corinthians 10:13), but sometimes the heat needs to rise to burn off what’s holding us back. It’s uncomfortable and often painful, but the result is priceless – a faith that’s authentic, a heart that reflects Jesus, and a life that’s capable of pure joy.
Whatever fire you’re walking through today, trust the Refiner’s hand. The heat won’t destroy you – it’s making you into something beautiful.
“But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10.

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There is suffering: from what we believe.

If we don’t believe in the law of gravity, will that belief stop us from the consequences of a fall? Of course not. Like it or not, reality stands firm. We have all made choices we thought were right, only to realise later we were wrong – and then had to face the consequences.

That’s why it’s worth carefully considering what we believe. If our beliefs are grounded in a worldview shaped by evolution alone, then we’re left with the idea that we are essentially cosmic accidents – here by chance, with no ultimate purpose beyond living, reproducing, and dying.
Sadly this is the grim message being taught as fact to our children in schools.  They quickly learn the irony that the ultimate point of evolution is: ‘all existence is ultimately pointless’. As a society we are now reaping the consequences in: high suicides rates, depression, lack of direction, loss of hope, break-down of family, rising crime and drug dependency.  If, as a society, we teach that our existence is ultimately pointless, do we believe there will be no repercussions?
The Bible acknowledges the problem. It teaches that God’s handiwork is clearly seen in creation (Psalm 19:1), but also recognises that many will reject this: “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Psalm 14:1).
Here’s the crucial question: what if the Bible is true? What if Jesus Christ really is who He claimed to be? John 3:36 makes it clear: “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” That means there are eternal consequences tied to what we believe.
You might say, ‘I don’t believe anything – I’m just sitting on the fence.’ But fence-sitting isn’t neutral. It’s still a decision not to accept God, and like any decision, it carries consequences. Believing in nothing doesn’t mean nothing will happen.
God has made provision for us through His Son. Our eternal future rests on our belief in Jesus Christ. As He said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
So let’s take the time to examine our beliefs – because they matter, now and for eternity. In Christ, we find purpose, a meaning to our existence, and the promise of everlasting life.

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