One of the most poignant questions that a person of faith can ask is, “How can a good, all-powerful God allow his creation to suffer?” Whether or not a person realizes it, there are three questions embedded within the original question of suffering. What is suffering? What is its purpose? What should be a Christian’s response to suffering? Without exploring these three questions it is difficult to gain a complete picture of suffering and why God allows it.[i]
According to the American Heritage Dictionary, to suffer is “to feel pain or distress; sustain loss, injury, harm, or punishment.”[ii] That is probably the most concise definition of suffering that can be written. However, as anyone who has experienced suffering will testify, true suffering cannot be described in words.
When looking at suffering it is important to look at its three main causes: nature (or natural forces), humanity, and supernatural forces[iii].
Natural forces that cause suffering include anything from a tornado destroying a home to cancer destroying a life. One feels completely helpless at the mercy of forces that cannot be controlled. This can be the most torturous form of suffering because there appears to be no purpose or even a rational (or irrational) cause.
Some would say that one person’s inhumanity towards another causes the greatest suffering in the world. One person inflicts harm upon another, motivated by desperation or uncontrollable urges to selfishness or vengeance. This form of suffering taints human history going back to the time when Cain committed the first murder.[iv]
The third cause of suffering--supernatural forces--includes God, Satan, angels and demons. The plagues that God brought down on Egypt[v] caused suffering for a great number of Egyptians.[vi] Satan, by deceiving Eve and causing her to lead Adam to sin, is the instigator of all suffering in human existence. The angels and demons merely carry out the commands of God or Satan respectively.
When looking at what suffering is, it is also necessary to understand where it originated. As previously mentioned, suffering exists as a result of sin entering into the world, which is seen in God’s judgment of Adam and Eve.
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.
Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you,
And you shall eat the herb of the field.
In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread
Till you return to the ground,
For out of it you were taken;
For dust you are,
And to dust you shall return.”[vii]
It is clear that life was very different for Adam and Eve before sin entered into the world. Childbearing was not painful, but after they sinned, the woman was told that childbearing would be painful. The garden provided food for Adam and Eve, and they did not have to work for it, but after they sinned, God pronounced that they would have to work for their food.
If all suffering could be attributed to punishment for sin, we would never ask the “why” question. But, since suffering is so widespread and renders harm to innocents, it is hard to believe that it is only a punishment for sin.
The only way to respond to the “why” of suffering is to assume that God allows it because it serves a legitimate purpose in God’s eternal plan.[viii] One can also infer that if suffering is allowed it serves a purpose beyond the pain it causes.
Some suffering can only be explained as a result of, or punishment for, sin. However, there are some positive explanations for the rest.
A certain amount of suffering can serve as a warning. Physical pain can be a sign of great warning. For example, if someone hits his or her thumb with a hammer, that person may keep hammering and cause horrific damage, if it were not for the physical pain caused by the first hit. Pain, while unpleasant, can serve as a warning of even more pain and suffering.
Suffering also serves as a warning against spiritual harm. In the Book of Joel we read of a locust plague that covered Judah and caused great devastation. God gave a message to Judah through the prophet Joel, saying that the coming Day of the Lord would cause the locust plague to seem as nothing, but if the people turned from their ways and returned to the Lord, he would bless them and not destroy them.[ix]
James and Paul write that suffering also produces personal growth. James tells us to “count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.”[x] Later he writes, “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”[xi] In the same manner Paul tells us, “We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.”[xii] According to both of these great men of the Bible, suffering is a positive thing, producing positive character attributes worthy of the Christian lifestyle. Enduring suffering is a way to draw closer to God.
Finally, some suffering serves to accomplish a divine purpose. John tells the story of a blind man whom Jesus healed. When Jesus is asked why this man was born blind, he replies, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.”[xiii] Suffering, in this instance, was used to bring glory to God.
In the Book of Job we see a vision of the heavens when Satan comes before God to accuse Job. He questions God, saying, “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.”[xiv]> God then allows Satan to cause a great deal of suffering in Job’s life to prove that Job serves God for more than just the blessings that God has given him. In the end, Job’s continued obedience to God defeats Satan and vindicates God’s righteousness.
Having explored what suffering is, where it came from and what the causes are, it is necessary to explore the final question: What should be a Christian’s response to suffering? A Christian’s response to suffering should always be to turn to God. As the author of Hebrews tells us, “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”[xv]
and later,
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.[xvi]
We are told to go to God--not a distant uncaring God, but one who has suffered as we do, one who understands what it means to suffer, one who will give us mercy and grace to help in our time of need.
In conclusion, the answer to the original question, “How can a good, all powerful God allow his creation to suffer?” may be best stated, “God allows suffering in order to change people (groups or individuals) in their relationship with Him.” We may not ever understand why we had to endure what we had to endure. We may never see the benefit. But, we can take comfort in the fact that God allowed it for a reason: either to change ourselves or to change those around us.
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[i] I am not saying the topic of suffering is easy even with these questions. I am merely stating that these questions may help the individual to explore the topic.
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