Why Does God Allow Suffering? A Biblical Perspective
Few questions are searched more often than this one: Why does God allow suffering?
Sometimes it’s asked philosophically.
More often, it’s asked personally.
Why this diagnosis?
Why this loss?
Why this betrayal?
Why this ache that won’t go away?
The Bible doesn’t dismiss that question. It doesn’t minimize pain. But it does give an answer that is deeper than “mystery” and more hopeful than “everything happens for a reason.”
The Reality of a Fallen World
Genesis 3 explains why the world feels fractured. When sin entered through Adam’s rebellion, suffering entered with it.
“Cursed is the ground because of you… by the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground.” (Gen. 3:17, 19)
Death, decay, frustration, and sorrow are not original to creation. They are intrusions.
Romans 5 tells us that through one man’s sin, death spread to all. We suffer because we live in a fallen world under curse.
But that is only the beginning of the biblical answer.
God’s Sovereignty and the Mystery of the Cross
Here’s something we must say carefully but clearly: If God didn’t allow suffering, then Jesus would be meaningless.
The entire center of Christianity is a suffering Savior.
The cross isn’t an accident.
It’s not God scrambling to fix a mistake.
It’s the eternal plan of redemption.
Peter says in Acts 2:
“This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.” (Acts 2:23)
That verse is staggering.
Jesus was crucified by wicked hands. Human evil was real. The betrayal, injustice, torture, and execution were morally evil acts.
And yet—it was “according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God.”
That means the worst suffering in human history—the crucifixion of the sinless Son of God—was both:
Truly evil in human intention
Fully within God’s eternal redemptive purpose
This is mystery. But it's not chaos.
If God did not allow suffering, there would be no cross.
If there were no cross, there would be no atonement.
If there were no atonement, there would be no forgiveness.
The suffering of Christ isn’t peripheral to Christianity—it’s the central thing.
So, when we ask why God allows suffering, we must begin at Calvary. The God of Scripture doesn’t merely permit suffering in abstraction. He ordained the greatest suffering in history for the greatest good in history.
Suffering Is Not Condemnation
This matters pastorally.
When suffering enters your life, you may assume God is punishing you.
But if you are in Christ, that’s impossible. Romans 8 begins:
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Rom. 8:1)
Condemnation is judicial wrath. It fell fully on Christ. Romans 5 says:
“Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.” (Rom. 5:9)
If wrath has already been poured out on Jesus, then your suffering isn’t God revisiting judgment upon you.
The cross guarantees that suffering for believers isn’t punitive condemnation. It may refine. It may discipline. It may mature. But it’s not judicial wrath.
God Works Through Suffering
Romans 8:28 says:
“We know that for those who love God all things work together for good.”
“All things” includes betrayal. Illness. Loss. Waiting. Even death.
But notice the order in Romans 8:
Paul first anchors us in no condemnation (v. 1).
Then he speaks of groaning (vv. 18–23).
Then he speaks of God working all things for good (v. 28).
Then he climaxes with no separation (v. 39).
Suffering exists inside a larger redemptive frame. Peter also reminds us.
“Though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials.” (1 Peter 1:6)
“If necessary.”
That’s not cold language. It’s purposeful language.
The same God who ordained the suffering of Christ for salvation ordains the trials of His people for sanctification.
Present Groaning, Future Glory
Romans 8:18 reminds us:
“The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (ESV)
Notice he doesn’t deny suffering. He relativizes it in light of glory.
The Bible ends not with suffering, but with restoration:
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes… neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore.” (Rev. 21:4)
The story moves from suffering to glory, from cross to resurrection, from groaning to renewal.
A Word for You Wherever You Are
If you’re asking why God allows suffering, begin at the cross. The worst suffering ever committed was part of God’s eternal plan to save sinners:
Wicked hands were used—but God wasn’t absent.
Evil was real—but redemption was greater.
The cross proves two things at once:
God is sovereign.
God is loving.
If He ordained the suffering of His own Son for your salvation, then your suffering isn’t meaningless.
You may not understand it fully.
But you’re not suffering under random fate.
And you’re not suffering under wrath.
You’re suffering in a world where the cross stands at the center…
…and where resurrection is the final word!
We encourage you to reach out for prayer and plan to visit us.