At the time of writing this, over 185,000 people have been killed or injured from war in the last two years alone. The World Health Organisation estimates that one in three women are victims of domestic violence every year. Homicide was linked to over 440,000 deaths in 2021 alone. More than 720,000 people die of suicide yearly. There are more victims of slavery now than ever before in history. This isn’t even all of the problems of the world. This isn’t even any of the stories of the people mentioned above. This isn’t the pain that they felt or feel or the heart-wrenching of their families. The numbers are horrifying, but the actual stories are worse.
And where is God in this? How is there a God who is good and yet allows this? How can we believe or trust that?The first thing we know is this was never God’s intention, as seen even in Genesis, where God created the world “...and it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31, NIV). From the first three chapters of the Bible, we learn about the fall of the world into sin, through Adam and Eve’s first decision to mistrust God and instead choose selfishly. They were encouraged by a ‘serpent’ who we see throughout Revelation 12:9 is ‘the devil’ or ‘satan,’ formally known as ‘Lucifer,’ one of God’s angels. Like us, the angels are gifted with free will, and unfortunately, Lucifer was the first to use this negatively. In Isaiah 14:12-14, we understand that he chose to become greedy and selfish, attempting to overtake God and then bring down the earth with him. After Adam and Eve chose to reject God, the result was a world under evil control (1 John 5:19), as people cannot belong to God and Satan at the same time (Matthew 6:24). It has been known since the beginning that the consequences of this sin were death (Genesis 3:3), as we see in the world today. There’s more about this backstory in the Hope.Study course, ‘The Origin of Evil and Suffering’.But luckily, our God is a God of mercy and love, so He wasn’t just going to leave His people behind. No. Instead, throughout the Bible, we consistently see God giving us the choice to choose Him or sin. Name a story in the Bible—and it’ll be there somewhere, the choice between good and evil, God and sin. But while there is often this choice, it’s not necessarily always us sinning or choosing to be without God that causes us to experience pain. Let’s look at this more closely.
God and...
And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
Genesis 1:31, KJV
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The first example is essentially suffering as a direct consequence of sinful action. When we sin, we are choosing to live without God, and this has bad results. This is particularly seen throughout the Old Testament. God literally lived among them (Exodus 25:8) during these times, inhabiting certain areas such as the temple and speaking directly through prophets such as Elijah (1 Kings 17). As God’s people were so close to His presence, the choice to live without Him was also intensely experienced through His ‘punishment’ or withdrawal. This is seen in Leviticus 26, as God explains that due to the Israelites’ disobedience, He will ‘bring disaster’ (Leviticus 26:16). This is seen as a direct consequence of disobeying God in two ways. First, as a parent may punish a child for disobedience so that they learn, so God ‘punishes’ His people; while it seems harsh, the Israelites always had the choice to return to God, along with ample warning about the consequences of their actions. Throughout this, God still consistently gave them opportunity to turn back to Him (Leviticus 26:18). Further, this is a demonstration of our free will; God does not force Himself even on His chosen people but rather allows them to experience sin as a result of their choice. Throughout this, God is always waiting for their return, and for the chance to restore them with blessings.
“Then they will know that I am the LORD their God, for though I sent them into exile among the nations, I will gather them to their own land, not leaving any behind. I will no longer hide my face from them, for I will pour out my Spirit on the people of Israel, declares the Sovereign LORD.”Ezekiel 39:28-29, NIV
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The second example is the indirect consequences of sin through living in a sinful world. As we see in Genesis, our world unfortunately is accursed with suffering and pain. As we live in this world, regardless of our connection with God, we too are afflicted with this, due to the consequences of sin. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...” (Romans 3:23, ESV), meaning that unfortunately, we all also have to deal with the results. These may not even be direct—as we are aware, one person’s sin can impact another’s life, as seen in the terrible statistics in our opening.
So why doesn’t God just stop sin completely?
Like we began with, we are gifted with freedom of choice. Unfortunately, this means that, according to God’s own laws of justice, we do have to suffer the consequences of sin whether direct or indirect.
But the Bible isn’t just focused on pain and suffering. Instead, it’s more about the defeat of those things. It’s more about hope.
IIt was clear at the start that ‘death’ is the consequence of sin (Genesis 2:17; Romans 6:23), right? So how is this fulfilled? One simple answer: Jesus. We all deserved eternal death for our sins, but instead, Jesus took all of our sins upon Himself and died in our place (Galatians 1:4; John 11:25). Let me make this clear: every single sin you have ever committed, every wrong thing you’ve ever done from the simple lie to the unforgivable offense. Jesus felt it, He took it and He died for it. He died for you. So, you don’t have to.
...“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33, NIV
This is where the hope comes in. In fact, this is where the hope comes from. Jesus paid the price—and all we need to do is go through Him. In John 14:6 we read this, where Jesus says “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (NKJV).
It makes sense. If someone has paid our debt, firstly, we go through them in the payment. We make sure we're on their side, right? And secondly, we love them. You will not—or at least you really shouldn’t—loathe someone who paid your biggest debts. No, you love them. In our love for Jesus, He asks us one thing; to avoid getting back into debt (John 14:15). This sounds a lot less difficult when we know what His commandments are:And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 22:37-40, ESV
To love God and love each other.
Makes sense right? Everything else, all of those other laws and commandments, depend on this one thing. Love.
God knows that we are human and that we will sin again. While He asks us not to, the gift of salvation doesn’t run out. As long as we are sincere in our ask for forgiveness, it will be given. As it says in the Bible:
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9, ESV).
(More about this topic in our blog post God is Faithful: Even When We Aren't)
And that’s not it. Even though we feel trials and pains in this world, God tells us that He is both with us through them, and will make use of them. We don’t just suffer unnecessarily, but rather, He uses these trials to strengthen our faith (James 1:3).
While there are trials, God encourages us that although we must live in a sinful world for now, He can make use of these pains to help us grow, and be stronger. It’s also not forever.
Jesus is coming back.
“For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.”
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, ESVWe don’t have to live like this forever. Soon, Jesus will return and all those who believe will go with him, to a place where there is no more pain or suffering—only goodness. Only restoration.…He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
Isaiah 61:1-3, ESV
We know it doesn’t have to be this way forever. But in the meantime, it’s a lot to handle. It’s a lot to wait for. Right now, it’s most important that you know that God is with us through our trials. Although you may feel distant and lost or alone, remember, God is always with you. No matter who else leaves. You’re never alone. This, out of everything, is seen over and over again, throughout the Bible in promise after promise.
“Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”
Jeremiah 29:12-13, ESV
Psalm 34:18, Matthew 5:4, John 1:5, Psalms 23… the list goes on. If you want a Bible study that focuses on finding hope, I recommend these free courses, such as Christians and Depression, or speaking to one of us via Whatsapp at the button below.
But first, if you’re feeling discouraged, whether with the state of the world, or with your own life, I encourage you to speak to God. Ask Him. Somehow, He will answer. If you don’t know what to say, here’s a prayer that may get you started. Dear God, I know You are great, and I know You are good. You created everything, and sin was never Your purpose. I know You are always with me. But right now, I feel as if I am alone. I’m not sure I can handle the world and its sins, And so right now I ask You for help. You have promised to be with me, and that I can give my burdens to You.You have promised to give me peace, and to draw near. Please, fulfill these promises now. I know You can do anything, so please, do this. I have faith in You and Your ways. Even if I can’t feel it or don’t understand how right now, I know You are working somehow. If it is Your will, please help me to see how, And if not, please reassure me with Your presence. Lead me through this darkness, now and always.Thank You for your goodness and Your mercy. Thank You that I am never alone, And that I have the God of the universe on my side. I can imagine nothing greater!In Jesus name, Amen
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About the Author
Azaria is a passionate young writer devoted to exploring and sharing the truth of God’s Word. With a heart for faith and a love for storytelling, she seeks to inspire and engage readers on their spiritual journeys.
Azaria Jones
NSW, Australia
