How can a loving God allow suffering?

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown gives birth to death. James 1:13-15

Suffering could be the Achilles' heel of Christianity. John Stott, one of the most influential Anglican priests of the last century, declared, “The fact of suffering undoubtedly constitutes the single greatest challenge to the Christian faith, and has been in every generation.”

All of us suffer to various degrees (physically and emotionally) with pain, disease and injury. Without exception, each of us experience death. How can a loving God allow this?

Genesis, chapters one and two, make clear that God created everything good. There was no evil in the beginning. But in Genesis chapter three, Adam and Eve disobey God and the death of humans enters the world.

James makes clear that God is not the author of evil (James 1:13-15). We are. God allows suffering but can use it for good. In fact, James writes, every good and perfect gift is from above (James 1:17).

Joseph was sold into Egyptian slavery by his brothers but God turned it around and used Joseph to feed the starving world (including his brothers) during a widespread drought. See Genesis chapters 37 to 50 for the whole story.

In John chapter nine, Jesus reminds us that not all suffering is due to sin. Jesus restores the blind man’s sight to demonstrate the power and glory of God.

Job’s trials teach us the goodness, power and sovereignty of God. Job’s suffering comes from the author of evil, Satan (see Job chapters one and two). Indeed the very presence of good and evil in the world is evidence for the presence of a good and loving God and the reality of the demonic.

Job’s experience ends with his testimony that before he had heard of God but now he sees God (Job 42:5). Job’s relationship with God grows through suffering.

Suffering is not an easy lesson but a valuable one.

God took the most evil act in all history, the crucifixion of His Son, Jesus of Nazareth, and used it for the very best act in all history, the saving of all who will place their faith in Him.

Suffering could be the Achilles' heel of Christianity. But it is not. God suffering for us, in our place, is the centerpiece of Christianity.

C.S. Lewis, perhaps the greatest apologist of the last century, affirms, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”