Why Does Suffering Exist? A Response to Atheism
One of the most challenging questions posed to believers is, “If God is good, why does He allow suffering?” It’s a question that resonates deeply, especially when we face pain, loss, or hardship. Scripture does not shy away from the reality of suffering, and it offers a perspective that is both deeply personal and profoundly hopeful.
A Broken World with a Purposeful God
The Bible acknowledges that we live in a fallen world—a world marred by humanity’s choice to reject God’s perfect design. This rejection, rooted in Adam and Eve’s sin, brought decay, death, and brokenness into creation (Genesis 3:17–19; Romans 5:12). Yet God, in His sovereignty, uses even the cracks in our world for His redemptive purposes.
Consider a violinist playing a masterpiece on a broken instrument. Though the violin’s imperfections might seem to ruin the music, the skilled hands of the musician bring forth something unexpectedly beautiful. In a similar way, God uses the brokenness of this world to display His glory and draw people to Himself.
Suffering as an Opportunity
Jesus reframed suffering as an opportunity for God’s work to be revealed. In John 9:1–3, when His disciples asked about the cause of a man’s blindness, Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.”
Rather than viewing suffering solely as punishment or meaningless chaos, Scripture invites us to see it as a stage for God’s grace, love, and power. It’s in the valleys of life that people often encounter Him most profoundly, experiencing His comfort, peace, and transformative presence.
A Response to the Atheist
From a purely materialistic perspective, suffering appears random and purposeless—a cruel byproduct of an indifferent universe. But the Christian worldview offers a radically different perspective. Suffering has meaning because life has meaning. The same God who allows suffering is the One who entered into it through Jesus Christ.
At the cross, we see the ultimate response to suffering: God Himself willingly bore humanity’s pain and sin, demonstrating His love and justice simultaneously. In Christ’s resurrection, we are assured that suffering and death do not have the final word.
Atheism may seek to eliminate God from the equation to avoid the problem of suffering, but doing so only leaves humanity without hope. Without God, there is no basis for objective meaning, morality, or justice. In contrast, Christianity acknowledges the reality of suffering while offering the promise of redemption and restoration.
Trusting the One Who Redeems
The existence of suffering does not negate God’s goodness—it magnifies it. Romans 8:28 reminds us, “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” This promise does not mean we will escape pain but that God will weave every thread of our lives, including suffering, into a tapestry of His glory.
A Prayer of Confidence in God’s Sovereignty
Father,
Thank You for being present in our suffering and for using even the hardest circumstances to draw us closer to You. We trust that no pain is wasted in Your hands. Let our lives reflect the hope and redemption You offer, pointing others to the beauty of Your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Final Thought
Suffering is not an argument against God; it’s a reminder of our need for Him. He is the skilled artist who turns brokenness into beauty, the loving Father who carries us through trials, and the Redeemer who promises to one day wipe away every tear. For the believer, suffering is not the end but the beginning of a greater story—one where God’s glory shines through, even in the darkest moments.