Suffering, doubt and mental health
Why does God allow suffering? Why did this happen?
Short answer
The Bible gives no neat answer. It shows a God who hates evil, suffers with us in Jesus and will one day end all pain.
This is the hardest question there is. Job, David and Jeremiah all asked God why, and He didn't punish them for it.
God made a good world, and much suffering comes from human evil and a world broken by sin. He gave us real freedom, which love needs. Sometimes He brings good out of terrible things, as Joseph told his brothers: you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good. None of this explains every tragedy.
We do know God is not distant. In Jesus He stepped into our suffering: He wept, was betrayed, beaten and killed. And He rose, so suffering does not get the last word. One day God will wipe away every tear.
If you are suffering now, tell God how you feel, read Psalm 13, and let someone sit with you in it.
My verses
How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long must I wrestle in my soul, with sorrow in my heart each day? How long will my enemy dominate me? Consider me and respond, O LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death, lest my enemy say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes rejoice when I fall. But I have trusted in Your loving devotion; my heart will rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for He has been good to me.
As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people.
Jesus wept.
I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us.
‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’ and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.