If you were given a chance to ask God one question and were guaranteed an immediate answer, what would it be?
For many Christians and even non-Christians, one question consistently burns in people’s minds: “Why does God allow suffering?” I’ve asked this question, and perhaps, you have too. If not, there’s a good chance that you will, especially when you or your loved ones are struck by life’s greatest trials.
The truth is, I’m not the first person to ponder suffering. It’s a common theme across cultures, a big topic in churches, debates, schools, streets, and even in the darkest and most silent corners of a room.
Why does God allow suffering? If God is all-loving and all-powerful, why does He allow so many people to suffer and die? How can God watch a baby die in stillbirth? How can God allow a young woman to be raped multiple times by several men? How can God allow a good and loving father to suddenly die in a vehicular accident? How can God allow millions of people to die in pandemics, hunger, and war? How can God allow millions of children to be victims of sex trafficking?
As true followers of Jesus Christ (Yahshua), we are not immune to suffering. In most cases, you and I have experienced moments when life’s trials have brought us to our knees. You might be praying so hard, yet it seems God isn’t answering. You have been patient and waited so long, yet you’re not getting the explanation you need to understand your situation. So, from the deepest crevices of our hearts, we cry out to God and ask, “Why do you allow me to suffer like this, Abba?”
Brethren, this is an important topic we all should focus on, especially as the Fall Festivals approach and Satan intensifies his attacks on God’s people.
Now, let me set the record straight: if you’re going to ask me, “Why does God allow suffering?” I can’t give you specific answers. I’m not in God’s position to explain exactly why you’re suffering right now. But we can go to the Bible and explore general principles of why evil exists and how we can understand the suffering people experience.
When we better understand God’s purpose for pain and suffering, we can develop a fresh perspective. We can gain a deeper understanding of God’s power and love, which can increase our faith and improve our trust in our Father. So, this afternoon, I’d like to share with you 10 reasons why God allows suffering:
1. To Show Us the Consequences of Sin
Before answering, “Why does God allow suffering?” we must first ask, why is there suffering in the first place? Romans 5:12 gives us the answer:
“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned…”
The cause of suffering is sin, and because of sin, death entered the world and led to much suffering. If there were no sin, there would be no suffering. But how did we sin? It has to do with free will.
God gave us the freedom to choose. We read in Deuteronomy 30:19:
“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.”
Death exists because of sin. In this verse, Yahweh is telling us to reject death—reject sin—and by rejecting sin and living God’s will for us, we choose life.
But what did Adam choose in the Garden of Eden? He chose sin, and by sinning, death and suffering entered the world. We have since seen the consequences of humanity’s choices. God allows suffering so we can see what life is like without Him. For about 6,000 years, sin, death, and suffering have reigned on this planet, giving us an idea of what it’s like to live in a world where people reject God.
Sometimes, we must experience something to believe it. Like a child who doesn’t listen when told not to play with fire, but once burned, they learn to stay away from it. In the same way, mankind has to go through suffering to truly appreciate God’s way of life. You can’t fully appreciate the beauty of eternal life without knowing what death is.
2. To Develop Our Character
One of the most important reasons God allows suffering is to help us develop our character. Let’s read Romans 5:1-4:
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
There’s something interesting in these verses that’s difficult to see if you don’t look at the Greek. The Greek word for “rejoice” in verse 2 is the same word used for “glory.” Paul is telling us that rejoicing and glorying don’t simply happen when life is good. It’s easy to understand why we should rejoice and celebrate when life is good, but to rejoice in tribulation? That requires a different mindset.
It’s normal to be sad because of problems, but that shouldn’t be our default disposition in life. Remember, part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit is joy. Through suffering, we learn something that doesn’t come naturally to us: character development. That’s why Paul says we should glory and rejoice in tribulations. Notice Paul used a strong word: tribulation, meaning it’s no ordinary difficulty.
Why should we rejoice in tribulation? Because tribulation leads to perseverance. Perseverance can also be translated as patience. When we go through life’s difficulties and sufferings, we become more patient.
Do you think you can be more patient if everything is given to you instantly? Do you think you can be patient if God answers all your prayers the moment you open your eyes? Of course not!
When we develop patience or perseverance, we develop character. What is this character? In the KJV version, it’s translated as “experience.” In the original Greek, it means trustworthiness. When we go through tribulation, we develop perseverance, which leads to character—a tested and proven character.
And what comes from having a tested character? Hope. This hope represents joyful expectation, faith, and trust in God. Through suffering, we ultimately develop hope, which allows us to trust more in God and believe in Him. This improves our character and helps us maintain a consistent pattern of doing the right thing.
Character development doesn’t happen in our comfort zone. You can’t say, “I want to be more godly,” “I want to be more faithful and hopeful,” or “I want to be more patient” without going through tribulation.
So, brethren, change your perspective. Rejoice in tribulation. Remember, suffering helps us develop character and hope.
3. To Help Us Rely More on God
Have you noticed that we are closest to God during our darkest moments? Suffering brings us back to our Father! Do you remember the story of the prodigal son? He had everything he needed and didn’t think he needed his father anymore. But when he lost everything, he remembered his father and returned to him.
When we are completely powerless, when we’ve done everything we can, when we’re clueless and don’t know what else to do, we are forced to admit to ourselves that we are nothing apart from God.
Why would we need God if we have plenty of money in the bank? Why would we need God if we can afford everything we need? But when we lack resources, that’s when we see God’s power working in us.
Let’s read 2 Corinthians 12:7-10:
“And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 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.”
Paul had a thorn in the flesh—a form of suffering. He asked God three times to take it away, but God’s answer was, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” This is profound. Our weakest moments are when God’s strength shines the brightest.
In our suffering, we are reminded of our dependence on God. We realize that without Him, we can do nothing. Suffering strips away our illusions of self-sufficiency and drives us to our knees, where we find the strength we need in God alone.
4. To Refine Our Faith
Just as gold is refined by fire, our faith is refined through suffering. Let’s read 1 Peter 1:6-7:
“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Gold is purified by being subjected to extreme heat, which melts away impurities, leaving only the pure metal behind. Similarly, our faith is tested and purified through the fires of suffering.
When everything is going well, it’s easy to say, “I have faith in God.” But the true test of faith comes when things aren’t going well—when we’re in the midst of suffering. It’s in these moments that our faith is refined and purified, becoming stronger and more genuine.
Suffering forces us to confront our doubts and fears. It strips away superficial beliefs and reveals the core of our faith. It’s a painful process, but it’s necessary for our spiritual growth. When our faith is refined, we emerge from the trial stronger, more resilient, and more committed to God.
5. To Produce Spiritual Growth
Suffering has a way of deepening our spiritual maturity. James 1:2-4 tells us:
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
Trials and suffering are opportunities for spiritual growth. They challenge us to develop qualities like patience, endurance, and resilience. These are the qualities that lead to spiritual maturity and completeness.
Just as physical exercise strengthens our muscles, spiritual exercise through suffering strengthens our character. It’s through enduring and overcoming challenges that we become more Christ-like.
6. To Teach Us Compassion and Empathy
When we experience suffering, we develop a deeper understanding of others’ pain. This understanding makes us more compassionate and empathetic toward those who are suffering.
Let’s read 2 Corinthians 1:3-4:
“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 tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
When we’ve been comforted by God in our suffering, we’re better equipped to comfort others who are going through similar trials. Suffering opens our hearts to the pain of others and motivates us to reach out with love and compassion.
7. To Display God’s Power and Glory
Sometimes, God allows suffering to demonstrate His power and glory. Consider the story of the man born blind in John 9:1-3:
“Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.’”
This man’s suffering was not a result of sin, but an opportunity for God to reveal His power. When Yahshua healed him, God’s glory was displayed, and many people were led to believe.
Our suffering can also be an opportunity for God to work powerfully in our lives. When we are healed, delivered, or strengthened by God, His glory is revealed to those around us.
8. To Prepare Us for Greater Ministry
God often uses suffering to prepare us for greater service in His Kingdom. Let’s read 2 Corinthians 1:8-9:
“For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead.”
Paul’s sufferings in Asia were so intense that he despaired of life itself. Yet, these experiences prepared him for even greater ministry. They taught him to rely not on himself but on God, who has the power to raise the dead.
Suffering can be a training ground for greater ministry. It equips us with the strength, wisdom, and compassion needed to serve others effectively. When we’ve walked through the valley of suffering, we’re better able to guide others through their own valleys.
9. To Test Our Loyalty and Devotion
God allows suffering to test our loyalty and devotion to Him. Consider the story of Job. Job was a righteous man who feared God and shunned evil. Yet, God allowed Satan to afflict him with intense suffering to test his loyalty.
In Job 1:9-11, Satan challenges God:
“So Satan answered the Lord and said, ‘Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!’”
God allowed Job’s loyalty to be tested through suffering. Despite losing everything—his wealth, his children, and his health—Job remained faithful to God. In the end, God restored Job’s fortunes and blessed him even more than before.
Our suffering can be a test of our loyalty and devotion to God. Will we remain faithful to Him, even when life is difficult? Will we trust Him, even when we don’t understand why we’re suffering? These tests of loyalty refine our faith and deepen our relationship with God.
10. To Prepare Us for Eternal Glory
Finally, God allows suffering to prepare us for eternal glory. Let’s read Romans 8:16-18:
“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
Our present suffering is temporary, but the glory that awaits us is eternal. God allows us to suffer in this life to prepare us for the glory of the life to come. Our suffering is not meaningless; it’s a part of God’s plan to prepare us for eternity with Him.
As we endure suffering, we’re being shaped and molded into the image of Christ. We’re being prepared for the day when we will share in His glory. When we understand this, we can endure suffering with hope and joy, knowing that it’s leading us to something far greater.
Conclusion
Brethren, suffering is a reality in this fallen world, but it’s not without purpose. God allows suffering for reasons that are often beyond our understanding, but we can trust that He is working all things for our good.
Suffering shows us the consequences of sin, helps us develop our character, teaches us to rely more on God, refines our faith, and produces spiritual growth. It also prepares us for greater ministry, tests our loyalty and devotion, and prepares us for eternal glory.
As we face suffering, let’s remember that we’re not alone. God is with us, sustaining us through the trials and using them to accomplish His purposes in our lives. Let’s trust Him, even when we don’t understand, and hold on to the hope of the glory that awaits us.
May Yahweh bless you and keep you through all your trials, and may you find strength, comfort, and hope in Him.
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