Why, God, Why? Wrestling With The Question Of Divine Suffering

For thousands of years, humankind has grappled with difficult questions about God and suffering. We look around at the pain and injustice in the world, and we wonder–if God is good and loving, why does he allow bad things to happen?

This question cuts right to the heart of faith, and it is one that has challenged spiritual leaders, philosophers, and everyday believers. In this article, we’ll dive deep into the ‘why God why’ question, examining the various answers that theologians have proposed over the centuries.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: There is no easy, complete answer to the question of why God allows suffering. Many faith traditions emphasize God’s mysterious ways, the ability of suffering to strengthen character, or humanity’s free will to choose evil.

But the question will likely continue to trouble believers and spark debate.

The Problem of Evil and Suffering

The paradox of a good God and a world filled with evil

One of the most challenging questions for believers is how can a good and all-powerful God allow evil and suffering in the world? This seeming paradox has troubled thinkers for centuries. Critics argue that the existence of so much suffering contradicts the idea of a loving God who has the power to prevent such suffering.

Defenders of the faith have offered various explanations over the years.

Some point to free will – God gives humans the ability to make moral choices, even if they sometimes use that freedom to do evil. Others note that hardship and suffering, while difficult, can produce perseverance, character, and hope.

Some emphasize the “big picture” – that God’s ultimate plan for redemption will bring about justice and make right all that is wrong.

While debates continue, for many dealing with personal loss or tragedy, intellectual explanations provide little comfort. Yet in the depths of suffering, people still pray and cling to faith that somehow, in ways they cannot understand, God is present and loving even amid the pain.

Natural evils like disease and natural disasters

In addition to moral evils that result from human wickedness, natural evils that cause suffering challenge belief in God. Diseases, birth defects, natural disasters that indiscriminately kill – if God is loving and has the power to prevent such misfortunes, why does he allow them to occur?

Again, free will is part of a common explanation – laws of nature and complex ecosystems are needed for life to thrive, yet they carry risks and dangers as well. While God is not directly “responsible” for natural disasters and illness, some argue he allows them to exist and does not always intervene to stop them.

Others say we cannot fully understand God’s cosmic vision – difficulties in this life may somehow contribute to spiritual growth, future rewards, or a higher purpose we cannot grasp. At the same time, in the face of tragedy and loss, even the most devout struggle to cling to an understanding of God’s greater plan.

Moral evils from human actions

The profound anguish and struggle that results from moral evils committed by human beings presents a distinct challenge to faith in God. While believers can accept that God allows humans freedom of choice, the horrific acts humanity inflicts upon itself tests patience and belief.

Why does God not stop moral evils arising from human free will?

Here the mystery of iniquity deepens. Defenders of faith differentiate between God allowing moral evil and approving it. God may have reasons for temporarily tolerating injustice, though believers look ahead to a time when divine justice rights all wrongs.

Others suggest that moral evils can shape human character, inspire moral action, and provoke righteous outrage.

Yet in the face of atrocities, terrorist acts killing the innocent, brutal crimes against children – believing in a higher purpose becomes almost unimaginable. The agony of the victim and cries for justice can overwhelm fragile arguments for patience, divine purpose, and ultimate redemption.

Free Will and Human Agency

God grants free will to enable love

According to many theologians, God’s purpose in creating humans was to share His love. But as the saying goes, “you can’t force someone to love you.” Love requires free will. Without the freedom to choose, there would be no genuine love between God and humanity – just programming.

God wants a real, intimate relationship with us. So He had to take the risk of granting free will, even though He knew we might choose wrongly at times.

Without free will, humans would be robots

If God directly controlled all human thoughts and actions like robots, preventing any evil or suffering, there would be no purpose to our existence. We would just be Divine puppets. True love and goodness must involve choice. Robots can’t love God, nor can they love one another.

So free will, despite its risks, is key to what makes us human and capable of real relationships.

Free will means the capacity to choose evil

Unfortunately, free will includes the capacity to choose evil and cause suffering, from small insensitivities to horrific evils. God apparently considers free will important enough to allow its misuse. But according to Judeo-Christian beliefs, God remains sovereign over human affairs.

Though He generally does not override free moral choices, He can intervene Miraculously when he wishes.GotQuestions.org notes that ultimately God promises to right all wrongs and wipe away all tears in the world to come.

Soul-Making and Character Growth

Suffering can mature virtues and bring self-knowledge

Suffering can serve as a catalyst for spiritual and moral development. As we face trials and tribulations with courage, we build inner strength, compassion, patience, and humility. Suffering helps strip away superficialities and prompts us to reflect on life’s deeper meaning.

We gain wisdom about what truly matters – our relationships, values, service to others. Hardships make us more conscious of our vulnerabilities and interdependence with one another.

Facing life’s pain can lead to greater self-awareness and knowledge of our strengths, weaknesses, priorities and purpose. As we learn to accept the ups and downs of life with grace, we gain insights into our resiliency.

Suffering can peel back the layers of ego and push us towards greater authenticity and wholeness.

Building patience, courage, compassion

Patience is a virtue that grows through enduring life’s difficulties and uncertainties. As we wait through periods of hardship or loss, we learn to sustain hope and trust in God’s timing and care. Each test of patience strengthens our capacity to wait with faith and equanimity.

We build courage as we move through tribulations that evoke fear or seem beyond our capability. By facing trials with fortitude, we build our inner resolve and determination. We overcome self-doubt and gain confidence that we can withstand and grow through adversity.

With each act of courage, we become more bold and spirited in living out our higher purpose.

Compassion grows as we open our hearts to the suffering of others. Shared pain connects us and awakens concern, empathy and the desire to uplift others. Our own trials make us more sensitive and attuned to the hardships faced by people worldwide.

Suffering can dissolve separateness and nurture caring action.

An appreciation for life’s fragility

Going through difficulties gives us humility about our human limits. Trials remind us of life’s uncertainty and the inevitability of loss. As we recognize life’s ephemeral nature, we feel grateful for each moment.

Suffering helps us let go of petty concerns, live in the present and cherish our blessings. Hardships clarify our priorities and awaken us to the preciousness of relationships, nature and simple joys.

Times of brokenness open our eyes to the fragility of health, success and security. We remember that life can change in an instant. This awareness spurs us to value each moment, forgive readily, give generously and love wholeheartedly. Suffering deepens wisdom about what matters most.

Divine Mystery and Unknown Purposes

God’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours

As mortal beings with limited perspectives, we cannot fully comprehend the mind and purposes of an eternal, omnipotent God. The prophet Isaiah stated that “God’s ways and thoughts are infinitely higher than ours.

“ There may be reasons for suffering that are currently beyond human understanding but serve God’s higher cosmic goals.

Some contemporary theologians argue that God is walking alongside us in our pain and struggles rather than causing the suffering per se. They suggest that God intervenes not as a coercive power but through compassionate love and grace.

Suffering as a test or product of karma

In Eastern faith traditions like Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism, suffering can serve as a test of one’s spiritual fitness or a consequence of karma from previous lives. Adherents may submit to ordeals willingly, seeing suffering as cleansing discipline needed for self-improvement.

For instance, some ascetic yogis undertake intense self-mortifications for spiritual liberation (moksha).

Table comparing the role of suffering in Abrahamic and Dharmic faiths:

Trusting there are reasons beyond human understanding

When faced with apparently inexplicable suffering, people of faith can choose to trust that there may be divine reasons or higher benefits unfolding in ways they cannot yet grasp. This stance of radical hope reflects a deep conviction that the Creator of life has positive intentions, whatever appearances might currently suggest.

As an analogy, a child getting a vaccination may feel confused and betrayed by the pain it causes, not realizing the inoculation protects their health. So too believers in a benevolent divinity can cling to faith that the cosmic Parent ultimately seeks their welfare even amid bewildering trials.

Where is God Amid the Suffering?

God suffering alongside humanity

When humans face adversity and anguish, it often leads one to ponder: Where is God in the midst of this suffering? Christianity teaches that God is not distant from human pain, but instead chose to experience it firsthand.

By sending Jesus to live on Earth and endure tremendous suffering, including betrayal, ridicule, torture and a painful death on the cross, God demonstrated in a poignant way that the divine presence stays with people in their darkest moments (John 1:14).

This means that even when circumstances seem hopeless, God identifies with people’s struggles. Just as Jesus weeping beside Lazarus’ tomb exemplified divine empathy (John 11:35), God grieves with those who grieve today.

For believers, knowing that God participates in their suffering can provide some solace amid the storms of life.

Divine presence in compassionate action

While God may seem hidden or silent amid suffering, many believe the divine presence emerges through human hands. When natural disasters, violence or tragedies strike, stories abound of strangers comforting mourners, first responders heroically rescuing victims, relief agencies providing food and shelter, and communities rallying together.

For instance, after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami left over 230,000 dead or missing, aid donations set a world record in the hundreds of millions from governmental and nonprofit groups globally. Many theological perspectives suggest that the Holy Spirit motivates such compassion, using people as conduits of God’s love and care.

So in times of human anguish, God’s presence shines through in simple acts of kindness. As Jesus’ parable suggests, divine mercy takes form when humans bind wounds, offer sustenance, provide resources and extend empathetic camaraderie to those scarred by suffering (Luke 10:25-37).

Faith and hope for redemption

Suffering often remains a mystery which cannot be fully comprehended or explained. However, Christianity offers perspective for people grappling with pain’s existential questions. Firstly, Scripture teaches that adverse circumstances, though allowed by God, are consequences of humanity’s fallen nature in a sin-damaged world (Gen 3:14-24).

But God promises to ultimately redeem suffering, eradicate evil and establish a kingdom of righteousness (Rev 21:1-5). Additionally, Christianity says painful trials have potential to develop godly virtues that strengthen character and nurture ministry to others (Rom 5:3-5; 2 Cor 1:3-7).

Thus believers hold to a faith filled with expectancy, trusting God will bring redemptive good out of affliction while hoping in a future where justice reigns and anguish disappears.

Conclusion

The question of why an all-powerful, all-loving God would allow suffering is ultimately a mystery. But that mystery rests at the very heart of religion. As we search for answers, we confront the meaning of faith and humans’ relationship to the divine.

While a complete explanation may always elude us, the ‘why God why’ question forces us to dig deep into our beliefs about God and the nature of existence.

Though the question may never be fully answered, the search itself can lead to spiritual growth, compassion for all who suffer, and a more nuanced, thoughtful faith. By continuing to wrestle with suffering, we affirm our God-given human dignity and agency.

The conversation invites us to respond to the world’s pain not with apathy, but with empathy and action.