"Why do good people suffer?"

"Why do good people suffer?" is a tough question people have been trying to answer for a long time. Ultimately, no one has the answer. But The Bible tries to give us some ideas about why this might happen. Here are a few King James Version (KJV) verses about why good people might experience suffering. These verses suggest that suffering can serve as a means of spiritual growth, testing and strengthening faith, and fulfilling divine purposes beyond human understanding.

  • Romans 8:28 - "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
  • James 1:2-3 - "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience."
  • 1 Peter 4:12-13 - "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy."
  • 2 Corinthians 12:9 - "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
  • Job 1:21 - "And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."
  • Psalm 34:19 - "Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all."
  • Proverbs 3:11-12 - "My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth."
  • Hebrews 12:6-7 - "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?"
  • 1 Peter 1:6-7 - "Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ."
  • Isaiah 55:8-9 - "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

 

Here are five Bible stories that address the theme of why good people suffer, each accompanied by references to scripture. These narratives offer insights into the complexities of suffering, faith, and God's purposes.

  1. The Story of Job
    • Scripture: Job 1-42
    • Summary: Job is a righteous man who suffers tremendously, losing his wealth, family, and health. His story explores themes of righteousness, suffering, and faithfulness. Despite his profound losses and the challenge to his faith, Job remains steadfast, and his story concludes with God restoring his fortunes, demonstrating faith through suffering and the mystery of divine justice.
  1. The Suffering of Joseph
    • Scripture: Genesis 37; 39-45
    • Summary: Joseph is sold into slavery by his brothers, falsely accused, and imprisoned, yet remains faithful to God. His journey from suffering to becoming a powerful leader in Egypt who saves his family and many others from famine illustrates how God can use suffering for a greater purpose and transform it into a source of blessing.
  1. The Trials of Daniel
    • Scripture: Daniel 6
    • Summary: Daniel, a man of unwavering faith in God, faces persecution and is thrown into the lions' den for praying to God in defiance of a royal decree. His survival and deliverance demonstrate God's power to save and the dismissal of faith amidst adversity.
  1. The Persecution of Jeremiah
    • Scripture: Jeremiah 37:11-21; 38:1-13
    • Summary: Jeremiah, called the "weeping prophet," suffers significantly for his prophecies and warnings to Judah. He faces imprisonment, is thrown into a cistern, and suffers other forms of persecution for delivering God's messages. His endurance illustrates the cost of prophetic faithfulness and the assurance of God's presence in suffering.
  1. The Sacrifice of Jesus
    • Scripture: Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 19
    • Summary: Jesus Christ, sinless and righteous, suffers and dies on the cross. His crucifixion is the ultimate example of innocent suffering, bearing the sins of the world. Jesus offers hope and redemption through His resurrection, showing that God's love and justice meet in the ultimate sacrifice for humanity's salvation.

Lastly, the following points reflect a theological understanding that while evil and suffering in the world pose significant questions, they also serve as a backdrop against which the concepts of free will, love, redemption, and ultimate justice are highlighted.

  • Free Will and Love: God granted humans free will, a necessary condition for genuine love and moral decision-making. Without free will, love would be robotic and meaningless. This freedom inherently includes the possibility of choosing evil​.
  • The Nature of Evil: Evil is not a creation of God but a corruption or absence of good. It arises from the misuse of free will. It is like a disease or decay that indicates a departure from what is intended as good by God​.
  • Moral Growth and Character Development: Suffering and evil can lead to spiritual growth and deeper faith. Experiencing and overcoming difficulties can produce character, draw people closer to God, and sometimes even lead to conversion or strengthening faith​.
  • The Problem of Sin: The entry of sin into the world, beginning with Adam and Eve's disobedience, has led to moral and natural evil. This disobedience broke the intended harmony between humanity and creation, introducing suffering and death into the world​.
  • God's Justice and Mercy: The existence of evil and suffering allows God to demonstrate His justice and mercy, primarily through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Christ's suffering and death offer redemption for sinners, showcasing God's ultimate response to evil​.
  • The Ultimate Good from Evil: God can use evil and suffering to accomplish greater good or to bring about His purposes. This includes the salvation of many lives, as illustrated in the story of Joseph, and the ultimate reconciliation of creation to Himself​.
  • The Eschatological Hope: The Christian hope is that God will one day eradicate all evil, suffering, and death. The existence of evil is temporary, and God's patience in dealing with evil demonstrates His desire for all to come to repentance and salvation​.