Why Does God Allow Suffering?

5/12/2026

Elijah McSwain, Sr.

Suffering is not the ideal human experience that we seek to be acquainted with or be familiar with. Suffering is one of the most puzzling concepts that the human mind seeks to understand. If God loves me and is intrinsically good, as well as sovereign, why does He allow bad things to happen? The theological term for this is theodicy. Theodicy questions since God is sovereign over all, then why do we experience suffering if everything is subject to His control? The discussion of this particular topic will disclose why God allows humanity to experience suffering. Here are several biblical reasons why God permits human suffering.

Human Suffering Is a Byproduct or Consequence of The Fall

When the world was initially created by God, it was peaceful and void of suffering. Mankind lived in obedience to God and had unhindered fellowship with Him. Shortly after creation, that human experience was short-lived when the first humans disobeyed God. Partaking of the forbidden fruit gave birth to sin. Sin entered the ranks of the world and suffering became one of the results of disobedience. The Lord administered punishment to Adam and Eve in Genesis 3:16-17 (NKJV) — "To the woman He said: “I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you. Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’: “Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life.”

William MacDonald acknowledged, "Sin has inevitable consequences. The woman was sentenced to suffering in childbirth. She would be subject to her husband. The man was sentenced to earn his livelihood from ground that was cursed with thorns and thistles. It would mean toil and sweat for him. Then at the end of life, he himself would return to dust. It should be noted here that work itself is not a curse; it is more often a blessing. It is the sorrow, toil, frustration, perspiration, and weariness connected with work that are the curse." ₁

Not only that, but the birth of sin gave way for greater issues to unfold and be experienced by the human race. Job 14:1 (NKJV) cites “Man who is born of woman Is of few days and full of trouble." Job 5:7 (NKJV) implies "Yet man is born to trouble, As the sparks fly upward."

Life is subject to problems, pain, suffering, trials, and tribulations for simply existing in a fallen world. Unfortunately, problems are a natural part of life, thus, we experience suffering.

Suffering Is a Result of Our Own Decisions

In life, we make many choices that adversely affect us. Our decisions have consequences that impact us in various ways.

Choices are attached and linked to outcomes. Outcomes are a result of our choices.

Many of the situations that are often our reality are the result of poor choices. Galatians 6:7-8 are fascinating verses that speak about sowing and reaping in the primary sense of giving to the cause of others, and they can be applied across other areas of life. Galatians 6:7-8 (NKJV) states, "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life."

Sowing and reaping equate to the cause-and-effect principle.

The reasoning behind one's actions is the cause of the situation that ends in a certain outcome which is the effect of the situation. Warren Wiersbe voiced "The basic principle of sowing and reaping is found throughout the entire Bible: God has ordained that we reap what we sow. Were it not for this law, the whole principle of cause and effect would fail. The farmer who sows wheat can expect to reap wheat. If it were otherwise, there would be chaos in our world." ₂

Unfavorable situations of suffering are often the cause of unwise decisions.

1 Corinthians 15:33 (NKJV) states that “Evil company corrupts good habits.” Oftentimes, people whom others associate with will lead them down the wrong path based upon their influence. Suffering in different ways, based on this fact, is the result of many unfavorable circumstances and unhealthy conditions. Proverbs 22:8 (NKJV) implies "He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow." Hosea 10:13 (NKJV) speaks to this fact as well regarding Israel. “You have plowed wickedness; You have reaped iniquity. You have eaten the fruit of lies, Because you trusted in your own way." Stressful and agonizing moments in life sometimes are the work of our own doing. We all have made decisions that we have to live with the reality of the aftereffects.

Suffering Promotes Spiritual Development and Growth

Suffering is the means that God uses to build our spiritual character.

God molds us into the image of His Son. Romans 8:28-29 (NKJV) affirms, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

God uses every aspect of life, the good and the bad, to shape us for His divine purposes. God orchestrates and oversees every moment in life, the joys and times of suffering, for our development.

Romans 5:3-5 (NKJV ) states, "And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." James 1:2-5 (NKJV) adds "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. 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."

Trials, problems, hardships, and dire circumstances cultivate spiritual virtues. God fosters our godly development through the unpleasant times in life.

MacArthur mentioned that "God brings such tests to prove—and increase—the strength and quality of one’s faith and to demonstrate its validity (vv. 2–12). Every trial becomes a test of faith designed to strengthen." ₃ No one is fond of facing problems and difficult circumstances. However, God has a bigger purpose at work to refine our faith. God exercises our faith by allowing us to experience daunting moments to stretch us spiritually.

Christians Are Partakers of Christ's Suffering For His Glory

All followers of Christ will suffer in some form as representatives of Him in the heart of the earth. As believers, bearing the name of Christ and living for His cause brings about persecution, mistreatment, and affliction. 2 Timothy 3:12 (NKJV) reveals "all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." But suffering for Christ's sake is not done in vain. Persecution for righteousness' sake and for Christ's sake is ultimately tied to the kingdom of heaven and its rewards (cf. Matthew 5:10-12).

God rewards those who suffer for Him.

1 Peter 4:13-14, 16 (NKJV) is penned "but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter." Our suffering for Christ should not be viewed negatively as this is the life that we have been called to. Suffering is part of the Christian life. As part of the Christian life and journey, our suffering glorifies God. God is magnified in moments of calamity as His love, care, counsel, and preserving power are on display to sustain us and see us through the numerous trials of life. God is glorified as our faith in Him during such times is a testament to our confidence in Him as our sovereign and powerful deliverer. 1 Peter 5:10-11 (NKJV) implies " But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen."

God's purposes are being fulfilled in the midst of suffering.

John MacArthur wrote, "Christians are to live with the understanding that God’s purposes realized in the future require some pain in the present." ₃ Of course, painful experiences are not pleasant, but God is being exalted as He provides resolute to strengthen us, perfect us, establish us, and settle us. The very things that were meant to weaken and destroy us are used by God to mature us, help us maintain a good confession of faith, promote endurance, and display the firm foundation on which our faith stands. God's sustaining power is a testimony to our witness of who He is, even when we undergo some form of suffering. 1 Peter 1:6-7 (NKJV) mentions “ 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.”

Suffering Reminds Us of the Temporary Nature of The World in Comparison to Eternity

Any form of suffering can seem like a prolonged duration of time. It can seem lengthy, drawn-out, endless, and almost feel like an eternity. However, when affliction is compared to the reality of eternity, we are reminded of the temporal nature of suffering in comparison to paradise.

Paradise is free of problems, heartaches, pains, frustrations, setbacks, attacks, hardships, and dire circumstances. God reminds us of this truth throughout Scripture. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NKJV) affirms, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” A moment emphasizes a short duration of time. Life on Earth is confined, restricted, and limited. There is an endpoint to this life. This life will not last forever. But eternity is forever.

Eternity is limitless, unrestricted, and is not affected by time or suffering.

The eternal joyous state in heaven will outweigh the temporal and earthly struggles of this world, which are brief in contrast.  Heaven is suffering-free, problem-free, pain-free, and worry-free. Revelation 21:4 (NKJV) speaks of heaven in these terms “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Every form of suffering faced on earth will no longer exist in heaven. There are no sorrows in heaven.

Being freed of trouble, misery, agony, anguish, and sadness should comfort our hearts when we think of the glorious future that awaits us.

Notes

1. William MacDonald. The Believer’s Bible Commentary

2. Warren Wiersbe. The Wiersbe Study Bible

3. John MacArthur. The MacArthur Study Bible