Why Does God Allow Suffering?
Insights from The Weekly REBOOT
Why Is There Suffering?
Let’s be clear: the pain you've experienced is not your fault.
You didn’t choose trauma. You didn’t sign up for that diagnosis, betrayal, or disaster. But the reason suffering exists in the world can be traced back to the brokenness introduced when humanity rejected God’s authority.
God gave us free will so we could choose love—and real love must involve a choice. Unfortunately, where there is the freedom to choose love, there is also the freedom to choose hate, sin, and selfishness. And those choices ripple across generations.
“We are not suffering because we sinned—we are suffering because we were born into a broken world where sin has consequences.” – Chris Adsit
But If God Is Good, Why Doesn’t He Stop It?
This question has echoed through history. Greek philosopher Epicurus argued that the presence of suffering disproves God’s existence. But that argument assumes we know what should be good and what should happen.
What if God, in His infinite wisdom, allows some suffering because He sees a bigger picture—one we couldn’t possibly comprehend from our vantage point?
Think about it this way: Would you eliminate momentary pain if it meant forfeiting eternal growth?
Let me share two stories that helped me understand how pain can bring unexpected purpose.
The first is about two boys in Africa, one a prince and the other the son of palace servants. They grew up best friends, but the servant boy was always the eternal optimist. No matter what happened, he would say, “This is good.” It annoyed the prince, but he put up with it because they were friends.
One day, during a hunt, the king’s rifle backfired and blew off his thumb. The king was furious and blamed his friend, who was responsible for maintaining the rifles. He threw him in jail. But later, the king explained why losing his thumb was actually a blessing. When he was captured by rival cannibals, they were about to sacrifice him, but because his thumb was missing, their religion forbade offering an imperfect sacrifice. They released him, saving his life.
What seemed like a terrible accident actually saved the king. Pain brought unexpected protection.
Now, let me share a more personal story. Back in the 1980s, my wife and I bought an old house on three acres in Oregon. It was drafty and small, but it worked for our little family. Over the years, as our family grew, it became too cramped. I tried to get a loan to add on, but it did not work out. We prayed for a solution.
Then, the house burned down while we were away. At first, I was devastated and angry. I could not understand why God would allow this to happen. But a couple of weeks later, the insurance settlement we received allowed us to build a brand-new home, one we never could have afforded otherwise.
More than just a house, that new home became a ministry hub. For over 26 years, it has been a safe haven for hurting people, a place of rest and refuge.
These stories remind me that pain and suffering do not have to be wasted. God can take even the hardest trials and bring about protection, provision, and purpose beyond what we can imagine.
From Suffering to Strength
Most of us try to avoid stress, discomfort, and suffering at all costs. But not all stress is bad.
There’s distress, which weakens.
And there’s eustress, which strengthens.
In the gym, stress builds muscle. In life, suffering builds character, compassion, endurance, and a deeper connection with God.
“Depending on your mindset, you will either experience post-traumatic stress disorder or post-traumatic stress growth.” – Chris Adsit
God doesn’t waste your pain. He uses it—not only for your healing, but for the healing of others. It’s often those who’ve suffered deeply who can offer the deepest comfort.
The Eternal Perspective
The greatest hope for any of us is that this life is not the whole story.
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
– Romans 8:18
In the grand narrative of eternity, what we suffer now becomes the soil in which future joy is rooted.
Take Joseph, for example. Betrayed. Abandoned. Imprisoned. But God used those terrible experiences to save nations and launch a legacy. Joseph later said to the very brothers who sold him:
“You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” – Genesis 50:20
Your Suffering Can Serve a Purpose
We’re not saying your pain was good or that God willed it to happen. But we are saying God can redeem it. He can repurpose your worst chapters into a testimony that changes lives.
You might become the person who…
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Offers hope to someone battling depression
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Provides shelter to a family in crisis
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Mentors a child who's been through the system
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Comforts a veteran who thought they were alone
Your story is not over. And it’s not wasted.
Applying What You’ve Learned
Here are 4 practical ways to lean into healing this week:
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Reflect on Your Story
Identify a moment of deep pain in your life. Then ask: Has anything good come from it? Could something still come from it? -
Write a Letter to God
Be honest. Tell Him what you don’t understand about your suffering. Then ask Him to show you where He was in the midst of it. -
Memorize Isaiah 55:8–9
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” -
Encourage Someone Else
Use your experience to lift someone up this week. Send a text, share a resource, or simply say: “I’ve been there. You’re not alone.”
Final Thoughts
God may not always deliver us from suffering, but He will always walk with us through it.
And in time, He often brings beauty from ashes, joy from mourning, and purpose from pain. He did it with Joseph. He did it with Chris. He can do it for you.
Keep going. Don’t give up. Your breakthrough could be just around the corner.
