How Can God Be Loving and Still Allow Suffering in the World?

Here is another big question about Christianity the idea that if God is so loving and good then how is suffering and evil allowed to roam in the world. This of course like most questions of this nature are not easily answered in a way that will automatically be believed however. That's the thing with Christianity, straight completely factual answers aren't going to be enough to convince you, just like with any viewpoint. However this will at least give you something to think about.

First we need to understand the very nature of God's love for us as a people. God created us like He created all of the rest of the universe, but we were made in His image and given attributes that God Himself had. This of course doesn't mean we are God but that we were able to think, reason, and choose things for ourselves. Of course the first entering of pain and suffering in the world was when Adam and Eve sinned in the garden of Eden. Thus the idea of suffering was not initiated by God but by humans who disobeyed what God had told us to do. One could question why God didn't do something about this if He truly loved us and was able to know everything and see everything. However true love is not forcing someone to do something just because you know it's best for them. I mean God had told them what they shouldn't do and He had given them the free will to do what they chose. It was the choice of Adam and Eve that brought suffering and pain against God's wishes, and that choice had consequences. We forget that to be loving one also has to be just, I am inclined to liken it to a judge, he can be leniant but by no means would he be a good judge if he did not punish accordingly for the crime committed. However in all honesty that type of suffering we can understand it was due to people making bad choices and going against God and what is right. The next area is where it gets hard.

People suffering when they do not deserve it always seems to raise a unique question in us. We cry out to God saying "How could this happen to someone who has done nothing wrong?!?" Even especially with Christians we wonder how God could let something happen to those who seem to be following Him so closely. It makes us wonder about, doubt, and even question God's motives in it all. However I think there are some basic points that somewhat explain things.

The first is that God cares more for our character than our comfort. This sounds like some sort of escape, but honestly if we're uncomfortable for this finite life but are constantly looking towards God and growing in character the end result will be well worth it. I would much rather have to endure suffering in this life than to endure eternal suffering in hell. Of course that's easier said that felt at times but it is still true. Ultimately if we're looking towards God we'll come out of it alright no matter the end result. Either we'll be with Him at the end of our suffering or He'll be with us and give us the strength to endure it.

Secondly is that our experiences in suffering that could very well be able to help another out in a similar situation. I mean honestly if you were going through something terrible in your life would you rather want someone who could empathize with you because they went through the same thing or someone who had no clue at all what you're going through. I mean we can't forget that sometimes our suffering can even be later used by God to help others out in their suffering.

The third point is that in all honesty God is not the cause of suffering man is. We can't blame God for the suffering that goes on in our lives, it was as said earlier Adam and Eve who introduced it and brought it on us. God does allow for it to happen, but it is the choices of a fallen and corrupt people that place those bad things to happen and sometimes to happen to those "good" people and even to Christians. It is not so much that God says "Hey, let's make them suffer," but more of the event and actions carried out that God against God's will and have reprocussions even beyond the initial circle of direct action.

My last point for this (however not the exhaustive final on this subject) is more of the one directed to unbelievers who wonder why bad things happen to good people if there is a loving God. Well the simple answer is that there are no good people, every single one of us from the pope to the garbage man or a pastor to a politician is naturally bad. Ultimately we can't really say that anyone hasn't deserved some bad things in their life, we should be able to see that in our own lives with a lie we've told someone, the cookie we stole when our parent wasn't looking etc... We may say those are minor things, but still they are not right, and the degree doesn't really matter, then there is the whole matter of things adding up after a time. So honestly we can't say much about those bad things happening to good people, because they only really exist comparitivly.

Of course all of what I've written can be disregarded, I mean I'm not perfect in all of what I say and do. However one should not write off God and Christianity because of the presense of suffering in the world or shun their beliefs because something horrible has happened to you or someone you know and one of you were a Christian. Suffering is a factor that we've brought into the world, and is a factor we continue to live with. I don't like it any more than the next person, but it is still there.