If God is So Good, Why Does He Allow So Much Suffering?

(Part One)

by Bryan Gibson

May 9, 2008

This question has perplexed and troubled many people, causing some to even doubt the existence of God. There are many sides to this question, but let’s start with this simple point. God allows suffering, at least in part, because of its many benefits. That’s right. Suffering is not all bad, as we can see from the following points.

Suffering keeps this world from becoming too attractive. When we consider the many forms of suffering we face in this world, it becomes clear that God has so ordered things that this world soon loses its attraction. A young person may dream of living forever on this earth, but give him a few years and his tune will change—after he has seen his share of suffering and heartache, and after his body has begun to break down. This world is not our home; we are but strangers and pilgrims on this earth (1 Peter 2:11; Hebrews 11:13), and sometimes it takes some suffering to make us realize that. Thankfully, God has prepared a much better place for us (Hebrews 11:14-16; 13:14). Yes, we have our share of sorrow in this life, but it’s this sorrow that makes us say, “O that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest” (Psalms 55:6).

Suffering can bring out the best in us. People can sometimes be at their best spiritually when they have been weakened by suffering (see Paul’s comments about his thorn in the flesh—2 Corinthians 12:7-10). Suffering tends to wake up the spiritual side in us; it turns our focus to those things that really matter, the things that endure. We can actually learn to “glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:3-4). Suffering can also bring out the best in those who rally around those who are suffering. Perhaps some of our readers have been through some tough times. Were you overwhelmed by all the gestures of kindness and sympathy? What you went through may have been bad, but it sure gave others an opportunity to do good.

Suffering offers an occasion to silence the enemies of God. That’s exactly what happened in the story of Job. Satan wanted to prove God wrong about Job, that he served God only because God had blessed him (Job 1:6-12). But Job’s endurance silenced Satan! Satan may think the same thing about us, but we know how to shut him up—“by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men” (1 Peter 2:15). Doing good in the face of suffering is the very subject discussed in the verses that follow (vv. 18-23). We cannot allow suffering to make us bitter, or in any way affect our faithfulness to God—that would be playing right into the hands of the devil!

Suffering makes us more appreciative, more thankful. “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits” (Psalms 68:19). God has blessed us abundantly, but we often take these gifts for granted, especially when things are going real well. Suffering can make us realize just how good we had it. Experiencing bad health for a time makes us much more appreciative of good health. Getting mistreated by some people makes us more appreciative of good friends and a loving family. Quite often in the New Testament Paul mentions by name people who ministered to him, comforted him, refreshed his spirit, etc. There can be no doubt that the tough times he endured made him appreciate these folks even more.