The Question of God’s Love and Human Suffering

If God is loving and powerful, why do children suffer? Why do innocent people experience war, disease, and abuse? These are not just theological questions — they’re deeply human ones.

This isn’t a new question. Throughout Scripture, even God’s own people wrestled with this:

“Why do You hide Your face, and forget our affliction and our oppression?”

— Psalm 44:24, NKJV

“How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?”

— Psalm 13:1, NKJV

The Bible doesn’t dismiss our pain — it acknowledges it. But it also gives us clear answers rooted in God’s justice, love, and eternal purpose.

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Suffering Is Not Evidence That God Doesn’t Exist — It’s Evidence That Sin Does

When we ask why the innocent suffer, we must remember we live in a fallen world. Sin introduced suffering, death, disease, and evil into what God originally called “very good” (Genesis 1:31).

“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned…”

— Romans 5:12, NKJV

God did not create war, cancer, or abuse. These are the consequences of mankind’s rebellion, not God’s design.

God Grieves Over Suffering More Than We Know

God is not distant from pain — He is deeply moved by it.

“In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them…”

— Isaiah 63:9, NKJV

“Jesus wept.”

— John 11:35, NKJV

Jesus — God in the flesh — wept at the tomb of Lazarus even though He was about to raise him. Why? Because He was not immune to grief. He entered into it with us.

“He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief…”

— Isaiah 53:3, NKJV

God Gives People Free Will — and Some Use It for Evil

A loving God gives true freedom. But free will means people can choose to do good or evil.

God didn’t make us robots — He made us moral beings. But that also means some people will choose to abuse, destroy, lie, and cause unimaginable suffering.

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?”

— Jeremiah 17:9, NKJV

God allows this freedom because He desires real love — and real love must be chosen, not programmed.

God Uses Suffering to Draw People to Himself

This doesn’t mean God causes suffering — but it does mean He can use it for good.

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

— Romans 8:28, NKJV

Suffering humbles us. It reminds us we are not in control. It makes room for God’s comfort, redemption, and glory.

“Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word.”

— Psalm 119:67, NKJV

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory…”

— 2 Corinthians 4:17, NKJV

Jesus Suffered the Worst Injustice of All — for Us

The cross is where God met evil, abuse, injustice, and suffering head-on. And He did it for us.

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

— 2 Corinthians 5:21, NKJV

No one suffered more unjustly than Christ. Yet through His suffering came the hope of salvation for all who believe.

One Day, God Will Put an End to All Suffering

Suffering may happen in this world, but this world is not our final home. There is coming a day when every abuse, every disease, every war, and every tear will be accounted for — and removed forever.

“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain…”

— Revelation 21:4, NKJV

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

— Romans 8:18, NKJV

We may not fully understand why God allows specific tragedies, but we do know this:

He is not absent, He is not silent, and He is not indifferent.

He is present in our pain, sovereign over every moment, and faithful to redeem all things in His time.

If you’re struggling with this question, you’re not alone. The Bible offers real hope — not by denying suffering, but by defeating it through Jesus Christ.

Written by Jeyran Main

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