Does God Cause Your Suffering?
YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
“And not only this, but [with joy] let us exult in our sufferings and rejoice in our hardships, knowing that hardship (distress, pressure, trouble) produces patient endurance; and endurance, proven character (spiritual maturity); and proven character, hope and confident assurance [of eternal salvation]. Such hope [in God’s promises] never disappoints us because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who was given to us (Romans 5:3-5 AMP).”
God does not cause your suffering. In my life, He has often saved me from suffering, but in His unfathomable goodness, He allowed it and used it for His purposes. Understanding this will help me navigate difficult times without blaming Him. Here are a few ways I have approached suffering to help understand this truth:
God is Good and Perfect
God’s nature is inherently good (God’s very nature is good, meaning He doesn’t just do things—He is the source and standard of all goodness, unchanging and perfect in every way), loving, and holy (Psalm 145:9, 1 John 4:8). He is not joyful, nor does He delight in harm or suffering.
James 1:13 says, “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone.”
Encouragement: God is not the author of evil. His plans for us are good (Romans 8:28), and His character is trustworthy, even when life is hard.
Suffering Comes from a Fallen World
Suffering entered the world through human sin (Genesis 3:16-19, Romans 5:12). It is a consequence of humanity’s decision to ‘do their own thing’ on their terms, not God’s design. *God gave us the autonomy to choose. He didn’t make Robots. See this article for more on God's choice to create a fallen world and our choices in it.
Natural disasters, disease, and broken relationships are all effects of living in a fallen, imperfect world.
Example: When Adam and Eve sinned, the harmony of creation was broken. Pain and suffering became part of life, but that was never God’s original plan.
God Allows Suffering for a Greater Purpose
While God doesn’t cause suffering, He permits it and uses it to fulfill His purposes:
• To refine and grow us (Romans 5:3-5, James 1:2-4).
• To reveal His glory and power (John 9:3, 2 Corinthians 4:17).
• To draw people closer to Him (Psalm 34:18, Hebrews 12:10-11).
Example: When Joseph was sold into slavery, he endured years of suffering, but God used it to save many lives. Joseph said, ‘You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good’ (Genesis 50:20).
God’s Sovereignty Over Evil
• God is sovereign, meaning He has ultimate control over everything, including suffering.
• While Satan may intend suffering for evil (as in Job’s story), God can turn it for good (Romans 8:28).
Encouragement: Even when life feels chaotic, trust that God’s plans are bigger than what we can see (His ways are higher than our ways - Isaiah 55:8-9). He can take the worst situations and redeem them for His glory. If He showed us all His ways, we wouldn’t be able to grasp them, and we would hate God.
God Is With Us in Suffering
• God doesn’t just allow suffering from a distance—He enters into it with us. Jesus experienced human suffering firsthand (Isaiah 53:3-5, Hebrews 4:15-16).
• He promises to walk with us through our pain (Psalm 23:4) and bring comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
Example: Jesus wept with Martha and Mary at Lazarus’s tomb, even though He knew He was about to raise Lazarus (John 11:33-35). His compassion reminds us that He is with us in our pain.
Personal Story:Living in three different homes with three different sets of parents, drug abuse, sexual abuse, and physical abuse caused me to disown my child-like faith (I accepted Christ when I was seven years old). But on the verge of suicide as a fourteen-year-old boy, I picked up the last piece of hope, the Bible, after something in my spirit said get it. I read it, and nothing made sense, but an audible voice came into my room with a thunderous comfort. Then, a warm hand seemed to rest on my feeble shoulder as Everest-like words came over my dirt, “I am your Father. I love you and have always loved you, and one day I will use you for something special.” Instantly, it was as if the dirt had turned into a redwood seed, and I suddenly understood the trauma and God’s presence and love. God didn’t observe my trauma. Instead, in that moment, I was profoundly and supernaturally reminded that He was with me in the trauma.
God Has a Plan to End Suffering
• Suffering is temporary for believers. God has promised to make all things new and remove pain and suffering forever (Revelation 21:4).
• Jesus’ victory over sin and death ensures that suffering will not have the final word (1 Corinthians 15:54-57).
Encouragement: God plans to redeem everything broken by sin. For much of my life, He has done this now! And, while we may not see it fully now, we can have hope that He is working for good and will one day restore all things.
Never Finished Challenge:
Pick up the phone. Go to the house. Go to church. Suffering isolates. Get with someone who will talk to you about it! Text me: 770-778-3295. I will listen and pray. He loves and sees you, and because of Christ in me, I can say I love and see you.
What does today say about God?
God doesn’t cause suffering, and He is sovereign. He uses it for incomprehensible good purposes. Suffering may result from sin or a fallen world, but God enters into our pain with us and promises redemption, comfort, and eternal hope! Thank you, Jesus!
“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” (Romans 8:28).
Thank you for posting this James and your faithfulness to share about the God of the Bible. Thank you also for your humility and willingness to connect His word to your personal story. I needed to hear His word this morning.
Amen! Thank you! I receive that!