{"id":1384,"date":"2026-02-21T14:34:24","date_gmt":"2026-02-21T14:34:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/?p=1384"},"modified":"2026-02-21T14:34:25","modified_gmt":"2026-02-21T14:34:25","slug":"why-does-god-allow-suffering","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/why-does-god-allow-suffering\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Does God Allow Suffering? Is It A Part of Life?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>&#8220;Why does God allow suffering?&#8221; is a question that has emerged in the minds of many people. They are curious as to why the Almighty God would let his children suffer and endure pain. Our world is full of suffering in the forms of war, diseases, calamities, personal losses, etc. That&#8217;s why it is justified for people to wonder why all the suffering exists. There are multiple answers to this question that mainly highlight the free will of humans.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Other explanations point toward a path of spiritual growth. Christian scholars even believe that suffering is a way for God to get you closer to him. Whenever you are suffering, face it like God is testing your faith and it&#8217;s a medium of repentance. By enduring through the pain and agony, you will purify your soul and prepare it for a higher purpose. If you wish to explore more information about this, stay tuned. This blog will help you understand &#8220;Why Does God Allow Suffering?&#8221;.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/why-does-god-allow-suffering\/#An_Overview_%E2%80%93_Why_Does_God_Allow_Suffering\" >An Overview &#8211; Why Does God Allow Suffering?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/why-does-god-allow-suffering\/#The_Puzzle_of_Suffering_%E2%80%93_Why_Does_God_Allow_Suffering\" >The Puzzle of Suffering &#8211; Why Does God Allow Suffering?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/why-does-god-allow-suffering\/#Does_Free_Will_Choices_Made_By_Humans_Lead_To_Suffering\" >Does Free Will &amp; Choices Made By Humans Lead To Suffering?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/why-does-god-allow-suffering\/#Has_The_World_Fallen_Due_To_Sins_Is_That_Why_God_Doesnt_Stop_Suffering\" >Has The World Fallen Due To Sins? Is That Why God Doesn&#8217;t Stop Suffering?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/why-does-god-allow-suffering\/#Conclusion\" >Conclusion&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/why-does-god-allow-suffering\/#FAQs\" >FAQs<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/why-does-god-allow-suffering\/#Does_suffering_help_in_personal_growth\" >Does suffering help in personal growth?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/why-does-god-allow-suffering\/#Whats_the_fallen_world_theory\" >What&#8217;s the fallen world theory?\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/why-does-god-allow-suffering\/#Why_doesnt_God_stop_suffering\" >Why doesn&#8217;t God stop suffering?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"An_Overview_%E2%80%93_Why_Does_God_Allow_Suffering\"><\/span><strong>An Overview &#8211; Why Does God Allow Suffering?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It makes sense to question the suffering as God is very powerful. Then, why doesn&#8217;t he stop the suffering for humanity? Well, the answer is much deeper than you think. In simple words, suffering is believed to bring repentance in your life. God uses pain as a motivation for people to seek salvation in him. Basically, you are supposed to surrender to him. Aside from this, there&#8217;s a theory that humans suffer because their choices influence the path.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As we have complete freedom to make decisions, some of the sufferings are a result of our choices. The Bible gospels showcase that God shares in the suffering of his children. This is because he wants good to prevail over evil and suffering is a perfect way of testing the soul. According to the Bible, suffering is known to lead humanity towards a greater purpose and truth of life. It&#8217;s also mentioned that the world has changed due to sins if humanity and suffering is just a correction course.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Puzzle_of_Suffering_%E2%80%93_Why_Does_God_Allow_Suffering\"><\/span><strong>The Puzzle of Suffering &#8211; Why Does God Allow Suffering?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Christianity teaches us that God is good and very powerful. Also, that he&#8217;s aware of everything that&#8217;s happening in the world. Still, human lives are full of suffering and that&#8217;s what confuses people. Faithful people seek help and want God to prevent suffering. Certainly, he is capable of doing so as God is Almighty. The puzzle of suffering exists because he has deep reasons to not stop it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Beliefs of People and their reality often clash with each other. However, facing these struggles and suffering is the key to salvation. The holy scriptures have highlighted multiple times that suffering leads to salvation of humanity. Why does God allow suffering? Is a question that rightfully makes people wonder. Basically, God is capable of stopping the suffering but he decides not to because of a greater purpose.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_Free_Will_Choices_Made_By_Humans_Lead_To_Suffering\"><\/span><strong>Does Free Will &amp; Choices Made By Humans Lead To Suffering?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Aside from the greater purpose and salvation, free will is yet another explanation of why God decides not to stop suffering. When it comes to philosophy, it mainly points towards human choice. Everyone has genuine freedom to make the decisions of life, whether right of wrong. As we are not all programmed the same way and everyone is different, so are the choices. God allows us to make our own decisions even if they lead to suffering.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We are meant to obey him to an extent but not at the cost of our free will. This free will separates us from other living beings and suffering is believed to be just a byproduct. Hence, the choices you make can lead to pain but that&#8217;s how life goes on. There&#8217;s a perfect balance between suffering and happiness, otherwise it would all be meaningless. God has given you the freedom to choose for a justified reason. He watches over humanity instead of controlling them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Has_The_World_Fallen_Due_To_Sins_Is_That_Why_God_Doesnt_Stop_Suffering\"><\/span><strong>Has The World Fallen Due To Sins? Is That Why God Doesn&#8217;t Stop Suffering?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a very extreme explanation that conflicts with all the previously discussed theories. So far, we have explored how salvation, a greater purpose, or our free will might be responsible for the suffering. If you&#8217;re wondering why does God allow suffering? This is the harshest and most realistic answer. It&#8217;s believed that humans are living in a fallen world that&#8217;s already consumed by sins.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Previously, this world was full of good, whereas, evil never won. In this explanation, the free will of humans is deemed to be responsible for the chaos and suffering. Simply put, the actions of humans disrupted the order of this world. And, suffering became a constant part of our lives. This explanation mainly highlights that humans have been separated from God&#8217;s grace due to the sins.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span><strong>Conclusion<\/strong>&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There&#8217;s not a clear explanation of \u201cwhy does God allow suffering?\u201d But there are multiple theories. We have discussed all the different angles above so that you can shape your opinions accordingly. Basically, you should stay faithful even while facing the harsh suffering of life. That&#8217;s how God will grant you salvation and bring you closer to him. Use your free will responsibly and try to make good decisions. When evil is defeated, the world will suffer much less in comparison.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQs\"><\/span><strong>FAQs<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<div id=\"faq-question-1771682496601\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_suffering_help_in_personal_growth\"><\/span><strong>Does suffering help in personal growth?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>According to many Christians, suffering plays an important role in shaping your personality and your future path. If someone handles their suffering well, it leads to personal growth.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1771682667440\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Whats_the_fallen_world_theory\"><\/span><strong>What&#8217;s the fallen world theory?\u00a0<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>It suggests that sins have led to humans being separated from God and evil has prevailed. This theory blames the free will of humanity for the suffering.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1771682672508\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_doesnt_God_stop_suffering\"><\/span><strong>Why doesn&#8217;t God stop suffering?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Most theories showcase that God doesn&#8217;t stop suffering even though he is capable of a greater purpose. It&#8217;s his way of testing your integrity and bringing salvation.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Also, Read: <a href=\"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/ezekiel-description-of-angels\/\">Ezekiel Description of Angels<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/how-to-get-to-heaven-according-to-the-bible\/\">How To Get To Heaven According To The Bible<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;Why does God allow suffering?&#8221; is a question that has emerged in the minds of many people. They are curious&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1389,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1384","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-jesus"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1384","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1384"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1384\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1390,"href":"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1384\/revisions\/1390"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1389"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1384"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1384"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1384"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}