Why does God allow suffering?
Tornados, earthquakes, tsunamis, famine, epidemics, drought, war, terrorism, political corruption… Sometimes it seems like evil reigns supreme. Yet the Bible clearly states—multiple times—that God is firmly in control and nothing happens that isn’t allowed by him. Therefore, if one is to actually believe the Bible, the next logical question is: If he’s so powerful, loving, and good, why does God allow bad things to happen—especially to his own people?
Writers, theologians, and professors have grappled with this issue since the birth of man, filling volumes upon volumes in response. So I can’t expect to give you a fully satisfactory answer in only one post.
But I will say this:
Dear Young Christian, you don’t ever have to be afraid of bad news. Suffering may be uncomfortable, messy, and inconvenient, but there’s a gold lining in all trials.
Hey, I’m Lauren, author of YA Christian fiction and blogger for teens with higher aim.
In This Article
Imagine You Have it All.
Think about whatever all is for you. Maybe it’s killer athletic prowess and a confident body image. For some, ALL might be popularity, the kind where you walk the halls of your high school knowing everyone wants to know you and be you.
Others might see ALL as a sharp mind and an internship at a highly competitive company. ALL could include a great group of friends, a tight family, a devilishly cute boyfriend, and the feeling that you’re at the top of your game with nowhere to go but up.
Now Imagine You Lose it All.
You don’t have to lose everything to feel like you’ve lost it all. You just have to lose whatever is most important—whatever ALL is for you. In my short story A Time To Heal (part of the rotation of short stories offered to my subscribers—you too, if you subscribe!), seventeen-year-old Kane just lost his ALL—his best friend, his girlfriend, his good looks, his shiny reputation—in an accident. His future has been altered, his faith shaken. To him, losing his life would’ve been more desirable.
That’s what it feels like to lose your ALL. Maybe this has already happened to you.
Someone else lost his ALL a long time ago—and this one’s a true story.
Moments in History When God Allowed Suffering
If you’re already familiar with the sobering account of Job, you know his first claim to fame was in what he lost: everything but his wife and his life. Read the story, and you realize God clearly permitted this pain. Seem cruel?
Consider another historical incident of suffering—the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11. Humans became exceedingly cocky at this point and decided to make a name for themselves by building a big tower. It might sound silly to us—who were they trying to impress?—but God didn’t find it funny.
This isn’t just an incident of God allowing something bad to happen. In this case, he caused it.
He scrambled their languages, making communication all but impossible, thwarting their plans, and scattering them across the earth. Cruel? What’s wrong with unity and cooperation—two things the world lacks in extreme today? This isn’t simply an incident of God allowing something bad to happen. In this case, he caused it.
If these stories are all you read of the Bible, it would be easy to conclude that God isn’t as loving as we thought. Which is why we need to dig deeper. Because Romans 8:28 explicitly states that God works for the good of those who love him.
Why Does God Allow Bad Things to Happen to Me?
If he’s so loving and good, why does God allow suffering or—worse—cause it himself?
To answer this question truthfully, you must understand who God is. God is love (1 John 4:7-9). He is perfect (Psalm 18:30) and all-knowing (1 John 3:20). God is almighty (Psalm 89:5-13). So if he’s loving and perfect, then he doesn’t enjoy seeing us suffer, even when we deserve it. I hate watching my kids go through tough things, even when they’ve brought it on themselves.
To answer these questions truthfully, you must understand who God is.
But being all-knowing means God knows what will happen if, say, arrogant people are permitted to build a tower. Or what awful end you might meet if you’re allowed to climb the ladder of success without hindrance. God hates seeing his people suffer, but more than anything, he hates watching them suffer eternity in hell, and sometimes he will intervene with his almighty power—or hold back—to make sure that doesn’t happen.
God knows the safest, happiest place for you to be is right next to him.
I Am NOT Afraid of Bad News.
Why do bad things happen to good people? Let’s flip that question and ask a different one:
Why are good people afraid of bad news?
By good people, I mean God’s people. Because let’s face it, none of us is truly good. Jesus made you good through his sacrifice. And because of this, you are God’s child, and at no point will he ever leave you to fend for yourself.
He says so himself:
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6
So instead of wallowing in fear or anger, follow the example of the author of Psalm 43, who, after expressing his dismay and frustration over his sorry lot (“Why have you rejected me?”), concludes his lament with an expression of trust and the expectation that God will bless him again.
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
Psalm 43:5
Bible Verses About Hope In Hard Times
- Romans 5:1-11: Check out this section to see why you should rejoice in your sufferings.
- Proverbs 3:25-26: “Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared.”
- Psalm 23: A beautiful metaphor about God’s love and care for you.
- Psalm 27: The Lord is your light and your salvation. Follow the example set by this psalmist in seeking him, even in the midst of suffering.
- Psalm 46: Be reminded of God’s love and power through this song of faith.
More bible verses about hope in hard times are highlighted in Where to Look in Scripture During Your Darkest Nights.
Related: Life’s Trials Are Not What Make You Stronger
Still Afraid of Bad News? Be Ready For the Blessings!
With your limited human vision, you might not understand why God allowed you to suffer that injury, or be rejected by that group of friends, or lose that loved one, or go through any number of bad things. No one likes to think about God causing these things on purpose.
But remember: God works for the good of those who love him. He will do what it takes to make you draw nearer to him, keep your faith in Christ alive, and stop relying on your own shaky abilities, which are sure to let you down.
He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
Psalm 112:7
Job received back everything he lost and then some. In Seasons of Kane, Kane’s accident leads him to Claudia, who then . . . well, you’ll have to read the series to find out what happens next. 🙂
There’s no reason to be afraid of bad news because God has a purpose for it all, and he will bless you again.
More Encouragement for Christian Teens
You don’t have to have all the answers.
But, hey, why not?
Bring me your questions about faith, life, God, the Bible… and I’ll help you find the answers.