Why Does God Allow Suffering and Tragedy?

Why does God allow bad things to happen? Why does he allow suffering, tragedy, disease, evil? Adam and Eve fell in the garden. They chose the tree of knowledge of good and evil to pursue their own knowledge and wisdom rather than God's. This allowed Satan to rule over this earth bringing evil, disease, darkness which mankind has had to battle ever since.

But God has not abandoned us or this world to the evil darkness of Satan. We read in John‬ ‭3:16‭-‬17‬ that "God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."

And through Jesus, God has given us everything we need to overcome and be victorious. As we read in ‭2 Peter‬ ‭1:3‬, "His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness."

In addition, Jesus tells us in ‭John‬ ‭14:16‭-‬18 that he would not leave us as orphans, but that he would
"ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth…(and) you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you."

Not only does God provide what we need to overcome the bad things in this life, but he also promises to always support us and to never leave us as we read in ‭Isaiah‬ ‭41:10‬, "do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

As we experience struggles in this life, let us remember that Jesus suffered sadness, disappointment and pain...he was ridiculed, judged, mocked, flogged, and crucified. He didn't escape suffering. We are no better deserving than Christ. Why should we expect to have an easy, trouble-free life?

We read in I Peter 4:12-13, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”

The good news is that Christ has overcome the darkness. He tells us in John‬ ‭16:33‬,
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Because Jesus has overcome the world, there is a time is coming when there will be no more pain, no more tears, no more death as we read in Revelation 21:3-4. Jesus will reign on earth and that old serpent will be banished for all eternity along with all the current suffering, tragedy, disease and evil. At that time, access to the tree of life will be restored and we, also, will be fully restored.

Apostle Peter teaches us in I Peter 5:9-10, “stand firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”

As we endure troubles, God is with us to strengthen us and comfort us. When we come out on the other side of an ordeal, we are stronger just as Paul shares in Romans 5:3-4, “we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”

God has not left us without hope, no matter what we experience or witness in this temporary world. He has sealed us in His promises through the Holy Spirit. We only need to hold fast to the hope that we have in our Lord, Jesus Christ, who sacrificed himself to save all of mankind from the grip of darkness.

Let us finish with the promises found in Revelation 21:3-5, “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
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