"Why does God allow Suffering?î
 

God did not leave us here to suffer pointlessly. Our loving and merciful God has a perfect plan to use that suffering to accomplish His threefold purpose.

First, He uses pain and suffering to draw us to Himself so that we will cling to Him.

Jesus said, ìIn the world you shall have tribulationî (John 16:33). Trials and distress are not something unusual in life; they are part of what it means to be human in a fallen world.

Second, He proves to us that our faith is real through the suffering and pain that are inevitable in this life.

ìBlessed is the man who endures temptation, because having been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Himî (James 1:12).

Finally, God uses suffering to take our eyes off this world and put them on the next.

Even the sufferings we endure and which seem so terrible ìare not worthy to be compared with the coming glory to be revealed in usî (Romans 8:18).
 

"Why does God allow sickness?"

The issue of sickness is always a difficult one to deal with. The key is remembering that God's ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:9). When we are suffering with a sickness, disease, or injury, we usually focus solely on our own suffering. In the midst of a trial of sickness, it is very difficult to focus on what good God might bring about as a result. Romans 8:28 reminds us that God can bring about good from any situation.

This does not mean sickness is always from God or that God always inflicts us with sickness to teach us a spiritual lesson. In a world tainted by sin, sickness, disease, and death will always be with us. We are fallen beings, with physical bodies prone to disease and illness. Some sickness is simply a result of the natural course of things in this world.

The Bible describes several instances when physical suffering was caused by Satan and his demons (Matthew 17:14-18; Luke 13:10-16). So, some sickness is not from God, but from Satan.

NOTES:

John 16:33 ìI have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.î

James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

Romans 8:18 consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Isaiah 55:9 As the heavens are higher than the earth, so as my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Matthew 17:14–18 When they came to the crowd, a man approached ìLord, have mercy on my son,î he said. ìHe has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal himî

It is undeniable, though, that God sometimes intentionally allows, or even causes sickness to accomplish His sovereign purposes. While sickness is not directly addressed in the passage, Hebrews 12:5-11 describes God disciplining us to "produce a harvest of righteousness" (verse 11). Sickness can be a means of God's loving discipline.

One thing is for sure, sickness should not cause us to lose faith in God. God is good, even when we are suffering.

"Why does God allow us to go through trials and tribulations?"
 

Trials develop godly character, and that enables us to "rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given usî (Romans 5:3-5). Jesus Christ set the perfect example. "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). These verses point out aspects of His divine purpose for both Jesus Christ's trials and tribulations and ours. Persevering proves our faith. "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).

At the same time, we must be careful never to make excuses for our "trials and tribulations" if they are a result of our own wrongdoing. "By no means let any of you suffer as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler" (1 Peter 4:15). God will forgive our sins because the eternal punishment for them has been paid by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. However, we still have to suffer the natural consequences in this life for our sins and bad choices. But God uses even those sufferings to mold and shape us for His purposes and our ultimate good.

Trials and tribulations come with both a purpose and a reward. "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him" (James 1:2-4,12).

Through all of life’s trials and tribulations, we have the victory. "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord, Jesus Christ." These verses encourage us to see that although we are in a spiritual battle, Satan has no authority over the believer in Christ. God has given us His Word to guide us, His Holy Spirit to enable us, and the privilege of coming to Him anywhere, at any time, to pray about anything. He has also assured us that no trial will test us beyond our ability to bear it, and "He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."
 

NOTES:

Romans 5:3–5 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our suffering, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has

Philippians 4:13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

1 Peter 4:15 If you suffer, it should not be a murderer or thief or any kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.

James 1:2–4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its works so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

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