Why Does God Allow Suffering? A Biblical Answer To a Timeless Question

One of the hardest questions any believer will ever wrestle with is this: If God is loving, why does He allow suffering?

It’s not just a philosophical issue—it’s deeply personal. We’ve all experienced pain: the loss of a loved one, betrayal, illness, injustice, or watching someone else suffer and feeling helpless. In moments like that, it’s natural to wonder, “Where is God in this?”

Even believers can struggle with this. And for some sceptics, suffering is the number one reason they reject the idea of God altogether. You’ve probably heard it phrased like this:

“If God was real, He wouldn’t allow all this suffering.”

At first, that might sound like a fair challenge. But when you dig deeper, that statement assumes something—that if God doesn’t run the world the way we think He should, then He must not exist. That’s not just a question—it’s a declaration based on our limited viewpoint. And it misses some core truths about who God is, how He works, and why our suffering doesn’t disprove Him—but can actually draw us closer to Him.

Let’s walk through this—honestly, biblically, and with hope.

Free Will: The Gift That Makes Love Possible

At the heart of this issue is one of the most powerful things God gave us: free will. We are not puppets. God did not create robots to automatically obey Him, love Him, or live in some pre-programmed perfection. He gave us freedom—the ability to choose right or wrong, to love or hate, to obey or rebel.

But here’s the deal - Love can’t exist without free will. If we were forced to love God, or each other, it wouldn’t be love at all. Love has to be a choice, and real choice comes with risk. That risk includes the possibility of selfishness, sin, brokenness, and yes—suffering.

We live in a world full of people exercising their free will every day. Some use it for good. Others use it to harm. But God doesn’t step in to override our choices every time we misuse that freedom—because if He did, we wouldn’t really be free anymore.

Why Not Just Remove All the Bad?

Let’s ask ourselves a hypothetical question: Lets suppose God did remove all suffering. Lets suppose He did run the world entirely by force—no pain, no sin, no wrong choices. Sounds peaceful, right?

But it also means:

• No free will.

• No personal growth.

• No real love.

• No failure, but also no learning.

• No crime, but also no forgiveness.

  
  

Basically, no humanity. And very likely, none of us would actually enjoy that kind of existence for long. We’d be rule-following shadows—not the rich, emotional, growing human beings God created us to be.

So no, suffering isn’t enjoyable. But it’s also not meaningless. In God’s hands, it becomes a tool—not to break us, but to shape us.

The Bible is honest about pain. It never sugar-coats suffering or pretends it’s easy. But it does tell us that pain can have a purpose.

Romans 5:3–4 says:

“We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

Hardship isn’t proof that God has abandoned us. Often, it’s proof that He’s refining us—teaching us perseverance, growing our character, and leading us to a deeper, bigger hope.

The Apostles: Chosen, Loved… and Persecuted

If you ever wonder whether following God means an easy life, just look at the apostles.

These were the men who walked with Jesus, saw His miracles, and were filled with the Holy Spirit. And yet, they didn’t live lives of ease—they faced constant suffering:

• Peter, the bold disciple who preached on Pentecost, was crucified upside down because he didn’t consider himself worthy to die like Jesus.

• Paul, who wrote much of the New Testament, endured shipwrecks, beatings, imprisonment, and persecution. He wrote:

  “Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones…”(2 Corinthians 11:24–25)And yet he still wrote: “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”(Romans 8:18)

• James, the brother of John, was executed by sword (Acts 12:2).

• John, the author of Revelation, was exiled to the island of Patmos.

These men suffered not in spite of their faith—but because of it. And through that suffering, they helped change the world.

Jesus Himself was crystal clear:

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”(John 16:33)

Not a Comfortable Life—But a Safe Exit

God never promised a life without struggle. What He does promise is that:

• He is with us in the storm,

• He provides strength to endure it, and

• He offers eternal life beyond it.

  
  

1 Corinthians 10:13 gives us this reassurance:

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

The “way out” isn’t always the removal of pain. Sometimes, it’s the grace to persevere. Sometimes, it’s the peace that passes understanding. And always, it’s the hope of eternity with Him.

Psalm 23:4 reminds us:

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.”

Not avoiding the valley—but walking through it. With God by our side.

So, let’s go back to the common claim: "If God was real, He wouldn’t allow suffering."

But think about that.

Are we saying God isn’t real because He’s not running the world our way?

That’s not a theological argument—it’s frustration disguised as truth. And it assumes we know better than the One who sees the full picture.

Truth is, if we were in charge, we’d probably remove every discomfort—and in doing so, erase free will, stop real love, and stunt any chance for growth. But God, in His wisdom, gives us freedom, walks with us in suffering, and leads us toward something greater.

Revelation 21:4 points to the future we long for:

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain…”

Until that day, we press on—not with all the answers, but with faith in the One who holds them.

Keep Growing in Faith

Suffering is never easy, but you don’t have to face it alone. At Cross Warriors Ministries, we are passionate about equipping believers to stand firm, share the gospel, and find strength in Christ through every trial.

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