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How Can a Good God Allow Evil and Suffering?
Hello, Church Family!
One of the deepest, toughest questions we face in life—and one that skeptics often highlight—is this: "If God is good and powerful, why does He allow evil and suffering?" It's a fair question, and it deserves more than just a quick Christian cliché.
As believers, we affirm several truths that seem, at first glance, tough to square together: that God exists, He is good, He is all-powerful, yet evil clearly exists. How do we unpack this apparent contradiction?
First, let's clarify something that is commonly misunderstood: evil itself isn't some sort of "thing" created by God. Evil isn't an object or an entity. It's better understood as a corruption of the good world God initially created. Augustine wisely put it this way: Evil is "disordered love." It happens because we place our wills and desires ahead of God's order and goodness. That's precisely what sin is: humanity's deliberate misuse of the freedom God designed us to have.
And speaking of freedom—think about why God created us with free will. He doesn't want robots; genuine love can only thrive if there's real choice. Free will necessarily carries the potential for us to choose wrongly. Some might ask why couldn't God just create beings who always freely choose good? That's like suggesting He should create a square circle—a contradiction in and of itself.
Now, what about suffering we don't create ourselves—like diseases and disasters? The Bible reveals clearly in Genesis that when humanity first sinned (the Fall), we broke not only ourselves spiritually but creation physically. Sin introduced brokenness that spilled out into nature itself. Pain and death ripple through creation as a direct consequence of humanity's turning away from the Source of all life, God Himself.
So why doesn't God eliminate pain immediately? Because he would not be a “Just” or a “good” God if he eliminated the consequences of sin. Much the same way you would not be a good parent if you never chastised or disciplined your kids God would not be a truly loving a just parent if he never let us feel the consequences of our “fall” as mankind.
We have to remember that it is not God who causes our pain and suffering. Sin did that. But God will be glorified in everything that happens. Does that mean pain itself is "good"? Not exactly—but a good and wise God can—and does—use suffering for greater purposes. Did God give me the health issues that I have right now? No! I did that through years or not taking care of my body and poor lifestyle choices. But is God teaching me something through what is happening to me? Absolutely!
Ultimately, our real answer to evil isn't just theological argument but a Savior who willingly entered our suffering world to redeem it. Jesus took evil head-on at the cross and offers healing, forgiveness, and restoration to all who trust in Him. Christ alone truly answers the deepest cries of our heart, offering not simply explanations but redemption itself.
Church, let's not shy away from tough questions. Christianity doesn't silence curiosity; it invites deep thinking, open minds, and hearts courageous enough to trust God's profound wisdom. Keep wrestling, keep asking—and most importantly, keep trusting in the Savior who overcomes every evil.
Stay encouraged and grounded in His truth!
Pastor Justin Wyckoff
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