‘If God exists, why is there suffering?’
In true Christianity, even pain has meaning and purpose on certain circumstances.
By JENSEN DG. MAÑEBOG
SOME EASTERN RELIGIONS typically put sorrow, pain, and suffering in the category of illusion—that “evil and suffering are real only as long as the ego believes them to be real” and that “they will fade away as one gains enlightenment about the illusory nature of the phenomenal world” (Passionate Conviction, pp. 147–148). The Bible, on the other hand, bluntly confronts these profound issues from the very first pages of its first book, Genesis.
Those commanded to write the Bible affirm the presence of these things (Jer. 15:18; Rom. 8:22), such as the Psalmist who pronounced, “I am surrounded by many troubles—too many to count!” (Ps. 40:12 Good News Bible)
The fact that one whole book in the Holy Scriptures, the Book of Job, was even dedicated to the questions concerning personal sufferings proves without a doubt that Christianity does not dismiss misery, agony, and grief as false impressions, but offers a sound perspective for coming to terms with their undeniable existence.
So how does the Bible depict and explain pains and sufferings? While not considering them as illusory, how do true Christians view the unpleasant events that they, too, experience? Are sufferings and evil compatible with the existence of a benevolent God?
God is not the author of evil
The Holy Scriptures inform us of various causes and reasons why awful things take place. For instance, as much of the sickness found in newly born babies can be caused by their parents’ dependence on alcohol, use of illegal drugs, or crooked lifestyles, it can be said that some sufferings are man-made or caused by man’s rebellion against God’s warnings. The same is true, obviously, in cases of people doing crimes against other people. The Book of Ecclesiastes states, “God made man upright, But they have sought out many schemes” (7:29 New King James Version). Man, therefore, has brought upon himself sufferings by selfishly choosing his own way apart from God’s will.
Suffering also comes about as a consequence of succumbing to the ploy of the “tempter.” The “serpent” tempted Adam and Eve to break God’s command, and their consequent violation cost them their right to reside in the Garden of Eden and their privilege to live a trouble-free life (Gen. 3:1–24). So some sufferings come about because of the undertakings of this “tempter” or “serpent” who delights in turning people away from God and in dragging them to miseries—Satan, the devil (Matt. 4:3; Gen. 3:1; Rev. 12:9).

Some forms of sufferings
But one must also recognize the difference between the suffering that is caused by evil and the pain that comes with achieving growth and reaching maturity. There is a certain amount of pain when a body builder, for instance, strives to lift heavier weights. But there is also a tremendous joy when one finally breaks through into a higher level of accomplishment and attains the ensuing progress. In more ways than one, the same is true in one’s struggle toward spiritual maturity and in achieving better outlook in life. As Apostle Paul exclaimed upon encountering a certain predicament, “This happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God” (II Cor. 1:9 New International Version).
Some sufferings exist so that the works of God should be revealed in certain people (John 9:1–12). Some miseries could also be significant for people to be drawn closer to God. There are those who have to suffer in order to realize the importance of returning to God. Not until they have their wealth or health or a loved one taken away from them, that they will have the desire to serve the Lord and be saved consequently. Proving that afflictions can be helpful for some to learn God’s statutes and keep His words, the Psalmist expressed:
“It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes. … Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word.” (Ps. 119:71, 67 NKJV)
Congruent with the Christian belief
Admittedly, Christians, too, are not spared from encountering troubles, sorrows, and pains as they take the journey through this imperfect world. But never is this fact incongruent with the Christian belief that gives emphasis on God’s saving power. The Bible explains that even faithful servants of the Lord, at times, do encounter tribulations, for “tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; And character, hope” (Rom. 5:3–4 NKJV).
On occasion, they also face trials, the result of which is “the ability to endure,” and their endurance “carries [them] all the way without failing,” so that they may be “perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:3–4 GNB). For their faith to be tested and purified, they sometimes find themselves in grief and misery—so as to receive the goal or “end of [their] faith—the salvation of [their] souls” (I Pet. 1:6–9 NKJV).
Hence, some of the sufferings they experience and the unpleasant things they endure serve as tools that prepare them for divine functions and missions and mold them to be spiritually mature and holy before God. By making them learn from their mistakes, suffering trains them (Heb. 12:11). It is also there to manifest God’s grace in their lives (I Pet. 5:10).
