For many people—especially new believers—this is not an abstract question. It’s personal.
If God is truly good, why does cancer exist?
Why do innocent people suffer?
Why do prayers sometimes seem unanswered?
Pain is often the number one barrier to belief, not because people hate God, but because suffering feels incompatible with His goodness. If you’ve ever asked this question, you’re not weak in faith—you’re honest.
The Bible does not ignore this tension. In fact, it addresses it directly.
1. The Bible Never Pretends Suffering Isn’t Real
Scripture does not paint a shallow picture of life. The Bible is filled with stories of people who loved God deeply and still suffered greatly.
- Job lost his children, health, and livelihood.
- David cried out in anguish and confusion.
- Jeremiah is known as “the weeping prophet.”
- Even Jesus wept (John 11:35, NIV).
God never tells us suffering is an illusion. He never says, “Just ignore it.” Instead, He meets people in their pain.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
—Psalm 34:18 (NIV)
2. Suffering Exists Because the World Is Broken—not Because God Is Cruel
According to the Bible, suffering was not part of God’s original design.
God created the world good (Genesis 1). Pain entered when sin entered. Human rebellion against God fractured creation—relationships, bodies, systems, and even nature itself.
“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people…”
—Romans 5:12 (NIV)
This matters because it means:
- God is not the author of evil
- God does not delight in pain
- Suffering is a consequence of a fallen world, not proof that God is absent
God allows freedom, and freedom includes the possibility of harm—but He does not abandon us to it.
3. God Does Not Stay Distant From Our Pain
Christianity stands apart from every other worldview in one powerful way: God entered suffering Himself.
Jesus did not watch pain from heaven. He stepped into it.
He experienced:
- Betrayal
- Injustice
- Physical pain
- Emotional agony
- Death
“Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering…”
—Isaiah 53:4 (NIV)
The cross tells us something crucial:
God is not asking you to endure something He was unwilling to endure Himself.
4. God Can Use Suffering Without Wasting It
This is one of the hardest truths to accept—but also one of the most hopeful.
God does not cause all suffering, but He can redeem it.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him…”
—Romans 8:28 (NIV)
Notice the verse does not say:
- All things are good
It says: - God works in all things
Suffering can:
- Shape character
- Deepen compassion
- Refine faith
- Redirect lives
- Draw people closer to God
None of this makes pain easy—but it makes pain meaningful.
5. God Promises an Ending to Suffering
Christian hope is not just about surviving this life—it’s about what’s coming next.
The Bible promises a future where suffering is not permanent.
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain…”
—Revelation 21:4 (NIV)
God’s goodness is not fully revealed in this broken world—it is revealed in His promise to restore it.
Evil has an expiration date.
6. What This Means for You Right Now
If you are suffering:
- God sees you
- God is not disappointed in your questions
- God has not abandoned you
Faith is not pretending everything is okay. Faith is choosing to trust God even when it isn’t.
You may not get every answer—but you can know the heart of the One who walks with you.
A Simple Challenge This Week
Be honest with God.
Set aside 10 minutes this week and do one simple thing:
- Tell God exactly how you feel—no filters, no religious language.
Read Psalm 13 out loud. Notice how David begins with frustration and ends with trust.
Then pray this simple prayer:
“God, I don’t understand everything, but I choose to trust You today.”
Faith doesn’t grow by avoiding hard questions.
Faith grows by bringing them to God.
