If God Really Loves Us, Why Did He Allow Us to Suffer?

Question

Some people deserve to suffer. But why is it that those who do good ends up being treated unjustly. Don't you think that God was being unfair?

Answer 1

You've got the wrong question. Why question God? Why not question yourself? Don't blame him for what others did to you.

Why don't you ask yourself this question... How good is God to me that He made me strong in the midst of sufferings from unjust people?

Answer 2

If you think about it, the way the world works is perfect (key word here is "works"). There is an equilibrium; things will always balance out.

Let me cite an example, in my country, there are extremes in the distribution of wealth. Because of this, many undesirable things are happening. Kidnapping, theft, etc. The poor can see that their plight is unjust and revolt against it. It is the responsibility of all to take care of each other. We can not just look after our own. We are all connected in some way. As long as there is imbalance, things will happen.

As for why God allows this to happen...well think of the alternative. What would happen if S/He would just correct every little mistake. What would be the value in our actions? We might as well not have existed. There would be no point in living since we do not have choices. Think of a computer game. What if there were cheats that would grant you unlimited health/ammo etc? Would people use it? Yes they would. But I assure you, they would not be enjoying the game as much as those who did not cheat. The joy in playing a game is in the uncertainty involved. The fact that you could fail. But if you finished the game without any cheating, you would feel a sense of accomplishment. It is the same with life.

This is not the definite answer for your question. These kind of questions will forever be asked. The best answers will be found by experiencing life and answering it for your own.

Answer 3

We may have lot of questions like this and even I feel difficult to handle situations esp. when I trust God and then get others mocking at me. If you really want to get a true answer to this, patiently read the book of Job(In old testament).
And also think of this, I know that heaven is the most glorious place and so many times richer and wonderful than any place on this earth. And Jesus who was there has to come and be born in a "after all" manger/ poor, when He would have had much choice than any other to choose where He was to be born. And then doing not a single sin, had to die like that pathetically.
If were to get some royalty in this world, like to even be born as a some prime minister's relative, I wouldn't have choosen to suffer for others. So why did God let His own Son suffer?
The brain that God created cannot comprehend God.

Answer 4

This is so common. Someone is always on here complaining that God lets him suffer. For no reason at all. I absolutely NEVER see anyone write and say "Boy, God has given me good health, a home, a family, material possessions. Why would He DO such a thing!?" You want to know why? It's because that as long as things are going well and they feel fine they don't give a second thought to God. They couldn't care less about Him. They never thank Him for anything, they don't consider His plan for them, they never think about what He wants to do for them, they CERTAINLY never consider that how they are living their life might be an offense to Him. But let something go wrong, let them suffer some pain or some loss and all of a sudden it's "Why is God doing this to me?" Hey Nimrod! It's because He wants to get YOUR ATTENTION!
Yes, I know, God is supposed to let you live any kind of life you want, (fornication, adultery, drunkenness, drugs, who knows what) and completely ignore it. Just let you go on with never giving a thought to Him. Well, God doesn't work that way. He doesn't ignore your wrongdoings. He doesn't ignore the fact that you never think of Him (except when something goes wrong, of course).
God could rid the universe of suffering immediately--but to do so He would have to destroy the human race because that is where evil originates. He could make humans give up evil but to do so would rid them of the ability to make any choices of their own. Imperfect humans live in a world which is also imperfect--which means that natural disasters and disease will occur.
If you actually want to have answers to "Why is there suffering?" then you need to turn to God for your answers. You need to ask Him for the peace and forgiveness that you want. Until you do you will never have the answers you want.

Answer 5

First, you must realize that this world belongs to Satan. It is he who creates the suffering. The question cannot be answered because there is no way to know to what extent of suffering God does protect us from. The example I have heard illustrates a small car accident God allowed to happen to prevent the fatal one that would have occured down the road. We as humans with our complex emotions cannot experience happiness continuously because we invariably grow bored and complacent with routine and require more.
Another analogy is two guys playing golf. The first tees off and miraculously gets a hole-in-one. They cannot believe it. Then the second guy tees off and he, too, scores a hole-in-one. The same thing happens on the next hole and no matter how hard they try not to, they consistently score a hole-in-one each hole. Half way through the 18 holes they quit because there is no challenge to win and it is no longer exciting. Good and bad emotions define each other.
If you feel it is not fair that the good people suffer in this life more than the bad, just wait until the afterlife.

Answer 6

Suffering helps develop patience and perseverance. It enhances our character to a certain degree and we mature from it. As the saying goes "No pain, no gain".

Suffering is also a warning that things are not right in this universe. Without suffering how can we understand what God is warning us from?

In this life on earth things are upside down in many cases.
In some instances good is seen as evil and evil as good. The scriptures tell us that if we are to live a faithful life in Jesus we *will* be persecuted. But it is better to suffer for doing good than suffer for doing evil.

It's just the nature of this world and universe.

Answer 7

God isn't being unfair, although from our imperfect human standpoint it sure does seem like it. The issue raised in the garden of Eden was whether or not God has the right to rule and whether or not humans will serve God out of love for him and not out of selfishness or what we can get for it. What's happening is that since Adam and Eve used their free will and chose to decide for themselves how to live and what was good and bad, God has in effect given them exactly what they asked for...he has allowed humans to prove whether or not they can successfuly rule themselves without him. Obviously judging from the state of the world, we've failed miserably. But, being the epitomy of love, he immediately made provisions to correct the situation. We're pretty close to the point when God takes action, but we have to wait until every form of government has been tried out and also for God to pick the perfect time when the most people can benefit. (Remember that at the battle of Armageddon not everyone will survive...those who refused to search for him or who refused to listen to those who are doing what Jesus instructed his followers to do - namely declaring the good news of God's kingdom and warning them of the judgment that is about to take place - will have to suffer the consequences.)

Answer 8

When you say good, you mean good to human standards. God's standards are much higher,and because we can't live up to his standards, we are separated from Him. It is the separation from His divinity that causes suffering (Pain = Absence of God). Only God makes things just, and one day God will establish justice. Hang in there and receive God's gift Jesus Christ and you will have peace.

Answer 9

I don't believe in God, as if there is God, HE must be a selfish, unhelpful, lazy and useless God. Remembered how many were killed during the Tsunami 2005? Where was God when the diaster happened? Having a cup of coffee, shaking his leg at Heaven? I only see our own human whose gave their helping hand to the victims. God? Even if HE is exist, HE is basically USELESS! As, human have to depend on themselves on all circumstances.

Answer 10

Compared to eternity, this is just a blink of the eye. I think I am willing to endure a lifetime of suffering for His sake, since I know I will be able to worship Him for eternity, without sin.