Question 82 – Why does God allow believers to suffer?
We have already addressed the topic of the existence of evil and suffering on a general scale. But what about those who love God and desire to serve Him? Why must they often suffer and encounter countless obstacles? We might argue that, as loving parents with unlimited power, we would never allow our own children to suffer. Once again, we face a very difficult question, one for which there is no simple and instant answer. Various factors come into play here, often intertwining with each other and having varying degrees of "culpability" in individual cases. I will attempt to briefly introduce at least some of these factors.
A) Free Will
As we have so often encountered, we must return to the very important principle of free will. Let us imagine the following situation: Every person who believes in God will be automatically healed from all diseases, rid of all problems, and enjoy a perfect life. Perhaps this is the hidden demand lurking behind this question. But what would happen then? It's simple — in a world full of pain, violence, and uncertainties, people would flock to God. Not for His sake, but for their own comfort and health. The love God desires would be replaced by a relationship motivated by self-interest.
B) We Are Part of a Cosmic Conflict
All of humanity is part of a spiritual cosmic conflict. Like any battle, this one also brings many sacrifices and hardships. Yet God did not initiate it. It began with the rebellion of angels and continued with the rebellion and turning away of humans. God could have prevented this conflict; He could have made a decisive process with all of us and destroyed everything. However, because He decided to save many, He allowed this conflict to exist. Although He could immediately snatch us from this battle upon believing, we would again face the issue of forced love and the free will of those remaining on the battlefield. Moreover, by our disappearance, God would harm many of our loved ones. He chose, therefore, to win this spiritual war through His church, which He Himself will strengthen and guide through His Spirit.
This consideration ties closely with many unanswered prayers that we send to God. Believers often ask why God does not give them what they want or rescue them from some suffering. One of the many answers might be a lack of understanding of the broader context of the situation. Dr. Gregory Boyd, in his book "Letters to a Skeptic," provides the following illustration:
"Let's say there was a little house inhabited by American allies on Normandy beach when D-day broke out. In fact, let's suppose that house was inhabited by the son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren of the head captain of the invading American fleet. There they were, caught in the crossfire of this terrible battle. Let's say they had a radio line with this captain and could radio their requests to him during the battle. They told him they were being hit with both enemy fire and with American fire. They told him they were wounded and needed supplies, hungry and needed food, etc.
Now the captain cares a great deal about his son and his family and would like to answer every one of their requests. But, at the same time, there is a larger battle to fight, thousands of other lives to consider, and the outcome of this important battle which must be of preeminent importance. So sometimes the captain can meet his son's requests. But other times, given the strategic warfare of the enemy, he cannot. And perhaps sometimes their requests are not even to their own advantage given the course the battle is taking.
But the unfortunate family in the beach cottage doesn't have this broader perspective. They only know that the captain is on their side, that their requests are heard and are taken into account, and that sometimes their requests are granted and sometimes not. But they, lacking his strategic perspective, have no idea why this is the case. They don't have a purview of the whole battle. Their perspective is limited to the tiny windows in their cottage." [12]
C) Bearing Consequences
It is very important to realize that quite a bit of suffering is self-inflicted, even by believers themselves, due to their imperfections and mistakes. Much of our suffering, therefore, is not caused by others but by our own approach to God (disobedience to His principles, pursuing our own interests, etc.), to our own body (unhealthy lifestyle, diet, lack of exercise, etc.), to other people (we are not always sensitive, kind, and do not always do good when we have the opportunity, etc.), and also to our surroundings and nature (we all contribute to some extent to the creation of an unhealthy and poisonous environment). At times, we must bear the consequences of our parents when the burden of their evil deeds rests upon us.
D) Help and Discipline Can Be Painful
There are situations where we want to help someone. However, this is often not possible without some level of suffering. It is hard to blame a surgeon for causing pain while trying to remove what does not belong in our body. Similarly, we would not blame parents when they "restrict" their child by not giving them everything they wish for (like matches, a sharp knife...), or cause them pain in their effort to help (removing a splinter from one's hand, unpleasant suction of phlegm in small children, etc.). Even an animal trapped in a poacher's snare, to which we try to provide help, might perceive our efforts as hostile and painful actions. Thus, in our lives, certain circumstances and trials exist through which God seeks to guide us and which are ultimately meant for our good. However, at the moment, we do not realize this.
E) Closer to God
As senseless as it may seem to some, God also uses suffering to strengthen the relationship between Himself and humanity. When undergoing suffering and trials, God guides us, helps us, and teaches us to become more reliant on Him rather than on ephemeral values and material things. We return here to the fundamental core of Christianity, which revolves around love and trust in God to provide for us. What we often consider as evil and suffering are situations where various securities, the foundations of our trust in the future, and happiness are taken away from us (e.g., possessions, education, jobs, etc.).
We should, however, establish our trust and security in the living God, not in our abilities, health, or bank account. It is my personal experience that with the arrival of hardships comes a greater sense of God's presence and peace. Sometimes I am even tempted to pray for God to bring suffering upon me, as it is precisely through such experiences that I let go of everything that I prioritize over our relationship and experience God's fulfillment and delightful presence. The Lord Jesus once urged His followers not to worry about tomorrow (what they will eat, drink, wear, etc.) but to focus on Him: He will provide everything needed:
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33)
Countless Christians attest to the truth of this promise. God often provides for them miraculously. I have heard dozens of testimonies of people who had nothing to eat. They presented their desperate situation to God and asked for His provision. Without others often knowing their situation, people came to donate food or miraculous financial means appeared from an unknown person, with a message stating that God laid it on their heart to help them. God is faithful, even when life's circumstances are unfavorable.
F) Test of Faithfulness and Faith
"In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:6-7)
God permits many sufferings upon Christians, but some He deliberately allows (I would certainly exclude extreme ordeals like rape, murder, etc.). Our faith in God is precious and important to Him. Therefore, it's sometimes tested with trials to see whether it is truly firm and can withstand. We Christians often proclaim with enthusiasm how we trust God and how we would give anything for Him. Yet, as soon as a more challenging life situation arises, we complain, blame God for our situation, and fail. This faith is then revealed to be false or superficial. Satan himself accuses and reproaches Christians, claiming that they serve God only when circumstances favor them and they get something out of it.
For this reason, God has left an entire book of the Bible dedicated precisely to this theme. The man of faith, Job, was subjected to a severe trial at Satan's direct request, during which he lost his property, family, and health. He maintained his faith, and Satan, along with the entire spiritual world, received a lesson in his faithfulness. God then compensated Job doubly for everything. Here is an extreme example, but through this, God shows us that we don't have to understand everything; He still holds everything in His hands, and our faithfulness, despite hardships, is of immense value to God.
G) Character Formation and Strengthening
Another category of hardships, which serve God's purpose, aims for a very important objective — our development. It's an undeniable fact that our character is most effectively formed in suffering and trials.
We confront our flawed and sinful reactions and "prune" our negative attributes, and this would certainly be impossible without some external pressure. The Bible likens God to a potter and us to clay. This clay is repeatedly "violently" kneaded and struck hard to remove any undesirable pebbles and lumps. If left, the vessel might later crack and be ruined. We are often "kneaded" and shaped so that all the pebbles and impurities within us emerge. Elsewhere, the Bible says:
"For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? F you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. mBesides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." (Hebrews 12:6-11)
Additional Arguments...
A separate chapter we could delve into involves the suffering of Christians due to their faith. Hundreds of millions of Christians face various hardships because they believe in the Lord Jesus and refuse to forsake Him [11]. The Lord Jesus Himself prepared believers for this suffering because He knew that just as He was persecuted and killed, His followers would be similarly treated. He once said:
"Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5:11-12).
Even this form of suffering cannot be blamed on God, for He Himself set the example for us on the cross. With all these arguments, it is crucial to add that while God may allow suffering, He does not abandon us. We can seek comfort, deep peace, and strength in Him. God promises all His children:
"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." (1 Corinthians 10:13).
The Lord Jesus Himself understands our sufferings because
"For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." (Hebrews 2:18)
Lastly, upon reflecting back, we often perceive the trials we have gone through in a different light and can frequently conclude that the suffering had a purpose — leading to something good or enriching us in some way.
Summation
There are many ways to respond to the reasons for Christian suffering. Although we undergo various hardships, God is with us and gives us the strength to overcome them. Therefore, this objection is not a reason to reject God's love and goodness.