Why Does God Allow Suffering?

What the Bible says

1. Scripture

   And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope.

   Paul does not say suffering is easy or desirable. He says that even tribulation can produce endurance, experience, and hope.

2. Scripture

   But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

   This verse shows suffering as temporary in light of God’s work to strengthen and settle a person.

3. Scripture

   The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

   God is not distant from suffering. Scripture says He is near to the brokenhearted.

A grounded way to understand this

The Bible does not present suffering as meaningless. It shows that God can work through pain without pretending the pain is small.

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