Suffering

If God is all-powerful, why does he allow so much suffering in the world?

God’s Response

He has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy. He has not turned his back on them, but has listened to their cries for help. Psalm 22:24

By means of their suffering, he rescues those who suffer. For he gets their attention through adversity. Job 36:15

Suffering is not a sign that God doesn’t care; it is simply a fact of life in this fallen world. If God took away everyone’s suffering, we would not need him or desire heaven. More significantly, we would probably follow God for a magic cure rather than our need for salvation. Some suffering is by chance, such as an auto accident or an illness. Some is a consequence of neglect, failure, or sin. Suffering is a universal experience, and God uses it to draw people to him. While the Bible never promises a life free from pain, it does assure you that God is with you in your pain and that for those who believe in him, all pain will one day be gone forever.

This Is Promising

Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest. Psalm 126:5-6