Why Does God Allow His Children to Suffer?

Why does God allow His children, His precious children that He purchased with His own Son's own Blood? Why? This is a question that has caused many to stumble and fall from the faith.

However, the Bible gives many clear reasons.

John 9:1-3  These verses tell of what happened when Jesus and his disciples encountered a man blind from birth. Now, while in our society blindness isn't so bad, in those days, if you couldn't see, you were automatically a beggar and never sure if you'll have enough to eat. Notice what Jesus says when asked why the man was born blind. Not because of sin, but because of the miracle Jesus was about to do. Therefore, sometimes suffering is allowed so that others can see the power of God through us.

John 11:1-4 This is Mary and Martha informing Jesus of Lazarus's sickness. Now sickness isn't a good thing, and those who know the story know that Lazarus did die. But Jesus allowed Lazarus to get sick and die not because he didn't love Lazarus, but because he wanted to show the world his power.

2 Corinthians 4:7-11 If God had wanted to, He could give us our glorified bodies as soon as we accept Him. But he didn't. Instead, he did something even more wonderful, he placed his glory in earthly, broken vessels. Since we are still imperfect, the world will still accept us, listen to us. If we were perfect, we would drive them away with them thinking that it would be impossible for us to relate to their lives.

Psalm 119: 71 We are human .... but we get big-headed sometimes and think we know it all. Sometimes God sends us trials to remind us that He's the one who knows everything and that we need to follow His instructions.

Isaiah 26:9 Sometimes we get caught up in ourselves, and don't seek God until He sends a wake-up call, otherwise known as hard times.

Psalm 78:34 He sends us trial so that we will inquire after him and find him.

Deuteronomy 4:30-31 Sometimes we aren't just ignoring God, but we're in utter defiance against Him. Again, He sends us trial so that we return to him.

Jonah 2:1 If you're suffering because of defiance, the beautiful thing is that, often, once you return to him, he often takes much of the suffering away.

Psalm 119:67 However, once you return to the Lord, stay there. If, when the suffering is gone, you just return to your former ways, he'll just have to send the suffering back to you, and that's a vicious cycle.

Luke 15:16-18 If you are facing trials, examine yourself and make sure that it isn't because you are trying to live your life without God. Return to God. He'll forgive you! Life's much better with him.

Psalm 32:3-5 Because, often, not only are circumstances rotten when we are not right with God, we feel much, much more rotten than any simple trial would make us feel.

Psalm 66:10-12 However, God doesn't send us trials to take us from bad to good, but sometimes from good to better. Raw silver and gold is valuable, but how much more valuable is silver or gold that has been put through fire and acid to refine it!

Psalms 17:3 Sometimes he sends us trial not because we have sinned, but so that we won't sin.

1 Peter 1:6-7 We should rejoice when we have tribulations, for it means that God cares enough to refine us to perfection. Of course, we will never be perfect until we get to heaven; however, God starts the process of perfecting while still on earth.

2 Corinthians 12:7 Sometimes God sends us trials so that we won't get proud and assume that we are doing everything on our own. He does it to remind us that we need Him.

2 Chronicles 7:13-14 So, if you're facing tribulation and trouble, pray, humble yourself. He'll turn back to you if you turn back to Him.

Ecclesiastes 7:2-3 This world's happiness is all false. So sometimes trials and tribulations are truer.

Isaiah 48:10 Think about it! Pleasant experiences, like silver, don't refine you. It's only the fiery furnace of affliction!

Romans 5:3 People who live in the the lap of luxury tend to lack patience.

James 1:2-3 If you find yourself in tribulation, rejoice! Consider it an opportunity to learn patience!

 1 Peter 2:20 What's remarkable about patiently taking tribulation that you DO deserve? However, if you don't deserve it, but still take it patiently, that's pretty remarkable, and a great witness platform.

Hebrews 12:10:11 Here the writer of Hebrews admits that trials don't make you want to rejoice. However, he reminds you that, when they're finished, there is much reward.

John 15:2 A fruit tree bears more fruit after it has been pruned. Likewise, we bear more spiritual fruit after we have been pruned by God.

Acts 11:19-21 God sometimes sends us tribulation so that we'll scatter and tell everyone about His love, and so that more will believe in Him.

Philippians 1:12-14 We humans suffer from a horrid case of one-up-manship, we hate being out-done. God sometimes uses this to get us to be more bold. If Paul can suffer this, why do we fear suffering that? So, sometimes God uses your suffering to encourage others.

2 Timothy 2:9-10 We must remember, even if we are suffering horridly, and are cast into prison, God's Word isn't in bonds, and it will go out! God is not limited by limited man!