Why Does God Allow Evil and Suffering?

When God gave us His Word, He was not in denial regarding the suffering of His people. Have you discovered the Bible is filled with Scriptures that answer the ‘why’ questions the people of God ask when they are hurting? I have been in a wheelchair since 1983 and have been totally paralyzed for many years. What I have written here is not unproven theory from passages in the Bible. I have personally needed to search the Scriptures and find these “Thirty Biblical Reasons Why God’s People Suffer.” If you are suffering, or you know someone who is, join me as I explore thirty biblical responses of God to people with hurting hearts.
Dick Woodward, 30 Biblical Reasons Why God’s People Suffer

How can an all-powerful and good god allow evil and suffering?  As William Lane Craig points out, the problem of evil and suffering is the primary argument against the existence of God.  In this presentation he argues that “Christian theism is man’s last, best hope for a solution to the problem of evil,” distinguishing between the intellectual and emotional versions of the problem of evil.

But the question is so profound that it can be particularly difficult to separate emotions from intellect.  It can gnaw at our soul. Even those who accept the existence of God can have a hard time resolving evil and suffering.

In the cool light of reason (if never in the immediacy of tragedy) there are a number of precepts to the problem of evil and suffering:

1. First, God permits suffering.
2. God gave us free will, without which love could not exist.
3. With free will we have all chosen to serve ourselves before serving God.
4. Jesus said that we would have tribulation (suffering) in this world.
5. Jesus promised peace in heaven, not on earth.
6. Jesus suffered on our behalf, as the ultimate solution to the problem of mankind’s rebellion.
7. We only have an incomplete picture now—but one day we will understand.

Gary Habermas has four short videos that address suffering on the One Minute Apologist channel.

Lee Strobel gave a moving sermon just after the Aurora, Colorado massacre in July 2012.

Nick Vujicic has an incredible perspective on asking God ‘Why?’—and has used his suffering to transform the lives of others.  God can and does use suffering for good.  Isn’t that the point of the crucifixion?

The above sources can help us understand why God allows evil and suffering, but if I was really hurting, the place to begin putting the pieces together would be Dick Woodward’s posts on suffering.