understanding God’s role in our suffering

Everyone who takes the Bible seriously agrees that God hates suffering. When he walked on earth, Jesus spent much of his time relieving suffering. And we are to do the same—the Bible tells us to feed the hungry, clothe the poor, visit prisoners, and speak up for the helpless. When we feel compassion for people in distress, we know that God felt it first. He shows this every day, even now, by raising sick people from their beds, often to the wonder of doctors. Every day God grants childless couples babies, pulls depressed people out of the pits, protects those with Alzheimer’s from crossing the street, and writes happy endings to sad situations. Even when he has to punish sin, he says in Ezekiel 18:32 that it gives him no pleasure.

All of creation waits eagerly for Christ’s return when sin, sorrow, and suffering will be done away with (Isa. 35:5–6, 10; Rom. 8:22–23). But until the kingdom of God comes in fullness to earth, sin, sorrow, and suffering simply come with being human. Thankfully, though, God loves to redeem our sin and our suffering, as well—all for our good and his glory!

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