Why God Allows Evil: Understanding Suffering

Explore why God allows suffering and evil in the world. Learn how free will, the problem of evil, and God’s moral law provide hope and transformation amidst pain. 

WHY GOD ALLOWS EVIL

If God is good, why does He allow so much suffering? It’s a question that countless people wrestle with, especially during times of pain and loss. From natural disasters to personal tragedies, suffering often feels at odds with the belief in a loving, omnipotent God. 

But the Bible doesn’t shy away from this question. Instead, it offers profound truths about God’s purposes, humanity’s role, and the ultimate hope we have in Him. Let’s explore these truths through Scripture, real-life examples, and God’s eternal plan. 

#1 FREE WILL: A GIFT WITH CONSEQUENCES 

The answer to the problem of evil and suffering lies in humanity’s freedom. God created us with the power of choice. It’s up to us to love Him or not, to listen to His commands or to go our own way. Genesis 2:16-17 illustrates this liberty in the Garden of Eden. “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.“

What he gave us was free will, the ability to choose for ourselves. For love cannot be without choice. For love to be real, it must be given freely. But freedom allows for the possibility of choosing evil, and humanity has consistently chosen to wilfully disobey God’s moral law. Romans 3:23: “For ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” 

Free will accounts for many of the suffering brought about by human actions (wars, violence, greed). It also emphasizes God’s longing for a real relationship with us. He could have, if He wished, made us robots, with no ability to sin, but He instead chose to give us the dignity of choice, knowing all-too-well the profound pain this would inflict. Louie Giglio stated that ‘One of the scariest realities in life is that, if you insist, God will let you do it your way.’ As Psalm 81:12 says, ‘So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.’ 

#2 THE PROBLEM OF EVIL: UNDERSTANDING ITS SOURCE 

Why would a good God ever create a world in which evil exists? The Bible explains that God is not the author of evil. Evil comes to be in the absence of humanity’s acceptance of His perfect will. James 1:13-14 clarifies: “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire.’ 

Evil is not an actual thing created by God. It is rather the lack of good, just as darkness is the lack of light. When we rejected God’s moral law, we ushered brokenness into the world. That includes not only moral evil (our sinful choices) but also natural evil (suffering caused by disasters, disease, and death). 

But as hard as this brokenness is, God’s sovereignty prevails. Genesis 50:20 reminds us that God can redeem our worst of times: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” There may be evil, but evil does not have the last word. 

#3 GOD’S MORAL LAW: A GUIDING LIGHT IN A BROKEN WORLD 

God’s moral law is a light of hope and justice in a fallen world. His commands aren’t teaching us dogma, but demonstrating His very nature—righteous, loving, and pleasing. Psalm 19:7 says:

“The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul.” 

When we live according to God’s moral law, we experience peace with Him, and we experience peace with one another. But humanity’s rebellion against this law is the source of most suffering. Gossip, for example, can sound like a minor infraction, but Proverbs 16:28 warns: “A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.” The fact that small sins are often little steps toward bigger things, not only points to the importance of aligning our lives with the will of God but also reminds us that small decisions can still have big consequences. 

The law of God also shows us how much we need of a saviour. Romans 7:24-25 cries out: “What a wretched man I am! Who will deliver me from the body of this death? Thanks be to God, who rescues me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” The law exposes our brokenness, but it also brings us to the grace and redemption that is ours in Jesus. 

#4 SUFFERING AS A TOOL FOR GROWTH 

The Bible says that God can even use suffering to purify and strengthen us (suffering is hard, but God can use it to grow us). Romans 5:3-5: “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” 

Consider Job, who suffered unimaginable loss but never turned away from God. His own suffering deepened his understanding of God’s sovereignty and goodness. Likewise, many believers speak similarly, that trials have brought them closer to God and changed their character. 

Sometimes the worst thing to ever happen to you can become the best thing to ever happen if you allow God to bring the best out of you. Isaiah 41:10 says: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  Your faith in tough times cannot only keep you but also inspire many around you. Neuroscience even teaches how trauma or shocking events are often the catalyst to change and transformation in people’s lives. 

As painful as it can be, suffering can be a powerful instrument in the hands of God. It reminds us of our dependence upon Him and develops us into the people He made us to be. Trust that whatever the situation looks like right now, ‘God works all things for the good of those who are called according to His purpose.’-Romans 8:28 

#5 GOD’S PLAN FOR REDEMPTION: THE CROSS AND BEYOND 

We might not fully understand why God allows evil and suffering but we Know he has a solution for it. The answer lies in God’s redemptive plan through Jesus Christ. John 3:16 assures us:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” 

Through the cross, Jesus bore the weight of our sin and suffering. Isaiah 53:5 proclaims: “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” The cross doesn’t erase our pain, but it gives it purpose and hope. Jesus’ resurrection guarantees that evil and suffering will one day be defeated forever. 

Revelation 21:4 paints a beautiful picture of this promise: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” In the meantime, we can trust that God is working all things for our good (Romans 8:28). 

#6 HOW SHOULD WE RESPOND TO SUFFERING? 

Understanding why God allows suffering is one thing; responding to it is another. The Bible offers practical guidance for navigating pain and helping others who are hurting: 

1 Trust God’s Sovereignty: Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Even when we don’t understand, we can trust that God is in control. 
2 Pray Without Ceasing: Philippians 4:6 encourages us to bring our anxieties to God in prayer. Through prayer, we find peace and strength. 
3 Comfort Others: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 urges us to share the comfort we’ve received from God: “Praise be to the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 
4 Focus on Eternity: Suffering is temporary, but God’s promises are eternal. Colossians 3:2 encourages us: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” 
5 Hold On to Hope: Hebrews 10:23 says: “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” Hope in God anchors us through life’s storms. 

CONCLUSION: A GOD WHO WALKS WITH US 

So why does God allow evil and suffering to exist? We don’t know everything on the subject, but the Bible gives us a foundational understanding that leads toward God’s love, justice, and plan for redemption. He grants free will so we can genuinely love Him, allows suffering to mould and strengthen us, and provides final hope through Jesus Christ. 

God doesn’t merely watch our suffering; He accompanies us through it. Psalm 34:18 assures, “The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” In our most dim hours, we can uphold in confidence that God’s nearness is with us. 

And even though we live in a broken world, we have a God who is making all things new. Lean on Him, trust in Him, let His promises lead you through the tribulations in life. What He will do has no limit of greatness and love, exceedingly and abundantly beyond anything we can imagine or ever know. 

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