3 Reasons Why God Allows Suffering

Suffering is a part of the human experience that everyone will encounter at some point in their lives. As people of faith, it’s natural to wonder why God, who is good and all-powerful, allows His children to go through difficult trials and tribulations.

This question has been pondered by theologians and philosophers alike for centuries.

While we may not be able to fully understand the mystery of suffering this side of eternity, God does give us some insight into why He allows pain and hardship for His greater purposes. Let’s explore three key reasons why God permits suffering according to the Bible and Christian theology.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick preview: To draw us nearer to Him, to refine our character, and to equip us to serve others. Keep reading as we unpack each of these purposes in detail.

Suffering Draws Us Nearer to God

Helps Us Rely on God Rather Than Ourselves

Suffering can teach us humility and help us recognize our need for God. When life is going smoothly, we may rely on our own abilities and think we have everything under control. Yet suffering shows us that we are not actually in control and reminds us of our limits (1 Peter 5:6-7).

Coming to the end of ourselves in suffering can soften our hearts to rely on God.

As Hebrews 5:8 says, Jesus himself learned obedience through what He suffered. In a similar way, the difficulties we face can educate our hearts to depend fully on our Heavenly Father. We learn to lean into Him and ask Him for strength and help with open hands (Psalm 50:15).

Through deep and regular communication with God, we build our trust in Him.

Deepens Our Relationship with God

Experiencing suffering provides opportunities for God to reveal more of Himself to us. Psalm 34:18 says “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” As we go through trials, we gain firsthand experience of God’s comfort, healing, provision and deliverance.

We start to know Him intimately as a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).

Such experiences create a reservoir we can draw from the next time suffering hits. The more we see God’s faithfulness to help us in past difficulties, the more trusting we will be to cry out to Him in future crises. Our personal history with God assures us that He cares and will come through again.

God Comforts Us in Our Pain

Not only does suffering draw us to depend on God, but God also promises to be near to us in our pain. The Bible describes God as “the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

Jesus promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5) and will give us His peace even when trouble comes (John 14:27).

God may use other caring believers as well to encourage us during afflictions (2 Corinthians 1:4). For example, a 2016 study found that hospital patients who received visits from hospital chaplains had greater spiritual well-being and satisfaction.

By drawing close to God and receiving comfort from His people, our suffering is eventually redeemed and transformed for good (Romans 8:28).

Suffering Refines Our Character

Develops Virtues Like Patience and Perseverance

Suffering teaches us patience and perseverance as we endure through difficult times (reference). As the Bible says, “suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:3-4). Going through trials requires us to patiently wait on God and not give up.

This in turn builds character and hope. Joseph is an example of someone who persevered through intense suffering but God used it for good (Genesis 50:20).

Purifies Us From Sin

Suffering refines us by exposing sinful areas of our lives and purifying us like gold and silver are refined by fire (1 Peter 1:6-9). Hardships often reveal where we are depending on our own strength rather than on God.

As we turn from idols and sinful habits and turn to the Lord, we become more sanctified and Christlike. Suffering humbles us and strips away self-reliance.

Teaches Life Lessons and Wisdom

Going through difficulties teaches us important life lessons and wisdom that we can apply to future challenges (James 1:2-4). We can better empathize with what others are going through (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). Wisdom gained through enduring suffering is insight that cannot be learned any other way.

There are some truths about God we understand more deeply because of what He has brought us through. As Charles Spurgeon said, “I have learned more about God through affliction than ever I learned by religious meetings or theological books.”

Suffering Equips Us to Serve Others

Allows Us to Empathize With Others

When we go through difficulties, we can better understand what others are going through who suffer in similar ways. As the saying goes, we do not really know a person until we have walked a mile in their shoes. Suffering helps tear down walls between people and creates bridges of empathy.

People who have suffered abuse can comfort abuse victims. Those who have lost loved ones can console the bereaved. People with illness can be a blessing to others who are sick. The pain we walk through prepares us to minister to others in that same pain.

Gives Us Opportunity to Minister

Suffering provides opportunities to serve and care for others who are hurting. Those who are suffering deeply need someone to walk with them who understands. Our own trials make us more able to reach out with compassion. Suffering sensitizes us to the hurts of others.

It can lead us to take actions to help, to give, to encourage. Our suffering can produce blessing in other lives if we reach out to minister the comfort we have received. As 2 Corinthians 1:4 says, God “comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

Conforms Us to the Image of Christ

Suffering has a way of humbling us and rooting out pride and self-centeredness. It prunes us to produce “the peaceful fruit of righteousness” as Hebrews 12:11 says. As we look to Jesus’ example in the midst of His sufferings, we become more like Him.

Suffering teaches us to depend on God rather than ourselves. As we cry out to Him in our pain, He comforts us and molds us into His image. Our trials make us more patient and gentle with others. Suffering burns away impurities making our lives reflect more of Jesus’ sacrificial love.

Though painful, the trials we endure shape Christlike character in us.

Conclusion

While the problem of suffering is complex, we can find meaning and purpose in our pain when we view it through the lens of God’s greater plan for our lives. By drawing nearer to Him, refining our character, and equipping us for service – God can use suffering to make us more like Christ and further His kingdom purposes.

Though trials are grievous, we can rejoice that God promises to be near us and one day wipe every tear from our eyes. Let’s cling to the hope that our suffering is only temporary, while the glory it produces is eternal.