Why Does God Allow Sufferring?

'God is love.' ( The Bible, 1 John chapter 4 verse 8 ).

If God is love and all powerful - why does he allow suffering?

There is no easy answer to this question - especially if it has affected someone we love.

In the beginning of the Bible it says that when God made the world 'it was very good' ( The Bible, Genesis chapter 1 verse 31 ), but it was spoiled because, having free will, people chose to disobey God and do things that are wrong.

Most suffering is caused by people's selfishness and wrongdoing. There is enough food in our world to feed everyone - yet a third of its population is hungry. There is persecution, war, injustice, pollution and preventable disease. We have all done things to make this worse. The Bible says, 'all have sinned', ( The Bible, Romans chapter 3 verse 23 ).

Christians believe that God has done something - He sent Jesus to change the selfishness and wrongdoing that is the cause of so much suffering. By that same free will people can choose to follow Jesus Christ. With God's help they know forgiveness and choose to live unselfish lives, to give generously and to work for a fairer, better world. Today there are Christian politicians, charity workers, doctors, nurses, medical missionaries ... Think of people like Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandella.

Christians believe that Jesus himself knows what it is like to suffer - he was persecuted, hungry, tempted, mocked, beaten and killed.

Jesus 'understands our weaknesses ... so let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy and we will find grace to help us when we need it.' ( The Bible, Hebrews chapter 4 verses 15 - 16 ).

Christians pray and trust God in times of suffering. Sometimes there are wonderful answers to prayer in healing or changed circumstances. Sometimes the answer is in knowing God's peace and help as they go through the suffering - and this in itself brings hope to others who see.

Jesus promised his disciples, 'I am with you always.' ( The Bible, Matthew chapter 28 verse 20 ).