One of the most personal and painful questions anyone can wrestle with is, “If God is so good, why do bad things happen?” We’ve all experienced suffering—whether through global tragedies, the pain of innocent individuals, or personal struggles and setbacks.
To answer this question, we need to understand what the world was created for. From there, we can grasp God’s character and the purpose of pain and suffering.
What Was the Original Design of the World?
God created the world as a place filled with love and harmony. However, sin entered through Adam and Eve’s actions (Genesis 3). Sin means going against God’s desire for how we should live. Because of humanity’s choices, sin distorted God’s perfect creation.
Today, we see the consequences of sin in death, disease, and natural disasters. This doesn’t mean God intended for these things to happen, but they are the result of living in a broken world where sin disrupts His plan.
This understanding doesn’t minimize the bad things that happen, but it gives perspective: God didn’t intend for sin to exist. Sin entered because of human choices that went against God’s design.
Is God Really in Control?
If sin and bad things happen because of human choices, does that mean God isn’t in control? Far from it! God is still sovereign and good. His plans endure even when we don’t understand them. Isaiah 55:8-9 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.” His wisdom far surpasses ours, and He can bring good out of even the worst situations.
Suffering Can Help Us Grow
Just because we can’t always see the full picture doesn’t mean God is absent. Suffering may seem terrible, but it’s something God uses to help us grow.
In the Bible, Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers and endured years of hardship. Yet, he later said in Genesis 50:20, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
Nothing is wasted in God’s hands, including suffering. He uses trials to help us grow in different aspects of life.
There Is a Plan for Your Suffering
Jesus Himself endured the cross to reconcile us with God. Similarly, there is purpose in your suffering. In difficult times, God may be drawing you closer to what truly matters.
Ultimately, Christian hope lies in God’s promise to make all things new. In the new heaven and earth, there will be no more suffering or pain, and God’s goodness will be fully revealed.
Until then, we walk by faith, trusting that God is in control, and that one day we will enjoy a life free from sin, pain, and sorrow.