EVIL & SUFFERING
God’s Heart on Evil & Suffering
Evil and suffering are painful realities in the world, and they often lead people to question God's goodness and justice. However, Scripture reveals that God is sovereign, just, and compassionate, even in the midst of suffering. He has a purpose and plan to ultimately redeem all things for His glory and our good.
Why? “Why did this person do this?”
“Why did this horrible tragedy take place?”
“Why didn’t anyone do anything prevent this?"
All of these questions ultimately lead to the issue: “Why does God permit such evil to exist in the world?”
God Did Not Create Evil, But He Allows Free Will
God is holy and perfect, and He does not cause evil. However, He gave humans free will—the ability to choose good or evil. The presence of evil is a result of humanity’s choice to rebel against God.
Deuteronomy 32:4 – “He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He.”
Genesis 2:16-17 – God gave Adam and Eve the choice to obey or disobey. Their decision to sin introduced suffering into the world.
Evil and Suffering Exist Because of a Fallen World
The brokenness we see today—pain, sickness, death, and natural disasters—are consequences of sin entering the world.
Romans 5:12 – “Sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.”
Romans 8:22 – “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.”
God Uses Suffering for His Greater Purpose
Though suffering is painful, God can use it to strengthen our faith, draw us closer to Him, and accomplish His purposes.
Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
James 1:2-3 – “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
Even when we do not understand suffering, we can trust that God sees the bigger picture and is working for our eternal good.
God Feels Our Pain and Cares Deeply
God is not distant from our suffering—He is compassionate and present in our pain. Jesus Himself experienced suffering, rejection, and death so that He could fully relate to us.
Psalm 34:18 – “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Hebrews 4:15 – “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin.”
Evil Will Be Defeated, and God Will Bring Justice
Evil and suffering are temporary. God has promised to one day bring complete justice and put an end to all pain, suffering, and sin.
Revelation 21:4 – “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.”
Romans 12:19 – “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
Our Hope in Christ Overcomes Evil
Even in a world filled with suffering, we have hope through Jesus Christ. He has already defeated sin and death through His resurrection, and He offers eternal life to all who trust in Him.
John 16:33 – “In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
1 John 4:4 – “The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
Trusting God in the Midst of Suffering
While we may not always understand why suffering happens, we can trust in God’s love, justice, and ultimate plan for redemption. Evil and pain will not have the final say—God will.
“The Lord is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91:2)
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Inspiring conversations that will encourage you to live the life you were created for.
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How God Uses Suffering for Our Good
Suffering is a difficult reality of life, but the Bible teaches that God can use our trials to shape us, strengthen our faith, and accomplish His greater purposes. Here’s how God works through suffering for our good:
Suffering Draws Us Closer to God
Hardship can deepen our dependence on God, reminding us that He is our ultimate source of strength and comfort.
Psalm 34:18 – “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
2 Corinthians 1:9 – “Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.”
Suffering Matures and Refines Us
Just as fire refines gold, suffering purifies our hearts and helps us grow spiritually.
James 1:2-4 – “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Romans 5:3-5 – “We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
Suffering Helps Us Comfort Others
The pain we endure equips us to minister to others who are struggling.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
Galatians 6:2 – “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Suffering Teaches Us to Rely on God’s Strength
When we are weak, God’s power is revealed in us.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 – “But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
Isaiah 41:10 – “So 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.”
Suffering Reminds Us This World Is Not Our Home
Trials remind us that our ultimate hope is in eternity with Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 – “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
Romans 8:18 – “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
Suffering Can Lead to Redemption and Transformation
God specializes in bringing beauty from ashes and turning brokenness into purpose.
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.”
Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
Suffering Helps Us Share in Christ’s Suffering
As believers, our suffering unites us with Jesus, who suffered on our behalf.
Philippians 3:10 – “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death.”
1 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.”
Encouragement
Suffering is not meaningless in God’s hands. While pain is hard to endure, we can trust that God is working through it for His glory and our good. He walks with us through every trial and promises to one day wipe away every tear.
Revelation 21:4 – “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.”
Hold on to hope—God is using your suffering to shape you, draw you closer to Him, and prepare you for an eternal glory beyond comparison.
