One of the most challenging questions in Christianity is: Why does God allow suffering, especially to those who strive to live righteously? While this question may never have a fully satisfying answer on this side of eternity, Scripture provides insights that help us trust in God’s wisdom, sovereignty, and goodness.
God’s Plans Are Bigger Than Ours
God operates on an eternal timeline that we, as finite humans, cannot fully comprehend. Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
What may seem like suffering and hardship in our limited understanding could be a part of God’s greater plan for our lives. Joseph, for example, was betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, and imprisoned unjustly. Yet, in Genesis 50:20, he tells his brothers:
“But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.”
Joseph could not see the full picture while he was suffering, but in hindsight, he understood that God had a greater plan all along.
Trials Develop Our Faith
Suffering is not meaningless; it has a refining purpose. James 1:2-4 states:
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
God uses difficult times to shape us, deepen our trust in Him, and prepare us for greater things. Just as gold is refined by fire, our faith is strengthened through trials (1 Peter 1:7).
What Is Lost, God Can Restore
Even in our suffering, we have hope because we serve a God who restores. Job lost everything—his wealth, health, and family—yet he remained faithful. In the end, God restored him and blessed him even more than before (Job 42:10). However, restoration does not always mean receiving back exactly what was lost; sometimes, it means God provides something even greater in His perfect plan.
Joel 2:25 says:
“And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten…”
If it is God’s will, He can restore what was taken. But even if He does not, He promises His grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9) and that all things work together for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28).
Trusting the Bigger Picture
We may never understand why certain things happen, but we can trust that God is always in control. As Paul said in 2 Corinthians 4:17:
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”
What we endure now is temporary compared to the eternal joy and purpose God has prepared for us.
Final Thoughts
Though we may not always see it, God is always working for our good. He allows trials not to harm us, but to shape us, strengthen our faith, and ultimately bring us closer to Him. If we could see the full picture, we would be grateful even for the rough patches, knowing that they serve a greater purpose in God’s divine plan.
Trust Him, even when life doesn’t make sense. He is faithful, and He will see you through.
Troy P Zehnder 