The Problem of Evil and Suffering

One of the biggest questions people ask is: If God is good and all-powerful, why is there evil and suffering in the world?

This is known as the problem of evil, and while it’s emotionally hard, the Bible offers deep and meaningful answers that show Christianity does not ignore suffering—it confronts it with hope.

❓ The Challenge

• The argument goes:

  • If God is all-good, He would want to stop evil.

  • If God is all-powerful, He could stop evil.

  • Evil exists.

  • Therefore, either God is not good, not powerful, or doesn't exist.

But this reasoning misses key biblical truths.

🧠 1. Free Will and Love

• God created humans with free will, not as robots.

• Love requires choice—so for love to be real, the possibility of rejecting God (sin) had to exist.

• Much of the world’s suffering comes from human choices (violence, greed, neglect).

🌎 2. We Live in a Broken World

• When sin entered the world (Genesis 3), all creation was affected.

• Disease, death, and disaster are not how the world was meant to be—they are the result of a fallen creation.

• Romans 8:22 – “The whole creation has been groaning...”

✝️ 3. God is Not Distant—He Entered Our Pain

• Christianity is unique: God Himself suffered.

• Jesus experienced betrayal, grief, pain, and death.

• God doesn’t just allow suffering—He took it on Himself at the cross.

⏳ 4. Evil Will Not Last Forever

• God promises to judge evil and wipe away every tear (Revelation 21:4).

• There will be a new heaven and new earth, free from pain and death.

• The presence of evil today does not mean God is absent—it means the story isn’t finished yet.

🪨 5. Suffering Has Purpose

• God often uses suffering to:

  • Build character (Romans 5:3–5)

  • Refine our faith (1 Peter 1:6–7)

  • Draw people to Himself

• Like fire purifies gold, suffering can bring clarity, dependence, and hope.

  
  

✅ Conclusion:

The Bible doesn’t explain away evil and suffering—it explains through them:

• Evil exists because of free will and a fallen world.

• God entered into suffering through Jesus.

• He will one day end it, and even now, He brings purpose and hope in the middle of it.