How can suffering exist with a loving, omnipotent God?

1. Understanding the Nature of God and Suffering

A central question is how a loving, omnipotent God can allow suffering. Scripture acknowledges God’s sovereign power and perfect love. “God is love” (1 John 4:8) affirms His deep care for creation, while passages like Isaiah 46:9–10 proclaim His unrivaled authority: “I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me… My purpose will stand, and I will accomplish all that I please.” If God is both able and caring, why, then, does suffering persist?

In grappling with this question, it becomes clear that suffering is multifaceted. It arises from humankind’s free choices (Genesis 3), the natural order’s brokenness (Romans 8:22), and even divine testing that leads to greater maturity of faith (James 1:2–4). Understanding God’s nature—holy, loving, merciful, and just—helps frame the conversation on why suffering exists and what it accomplishes within the bigger picture of eternal purposes.

2. The Biblical Witness to Suffering

Scripture’s honesty about suffering is notable. Job experiences crushing personal loss yet affirms God’s worthiness of trust (Job 1–2). The Psalms include raw cries for rescue amid distress: “My soul is in deep anguish. How long, O LORD, how long?” (Psalm 6:3). Even the prophets voice lament on behalf of afflicted Israel (Lamentations 3).

Throughout these examples, one theme emerges: God remains faithful in the midst of adversity. He does not trivialize pain but uses it to refine hearts and draw people toward dependence on Him. Romans 8:28 reassures believers that God orchestrates all things—even suffering—for good for those called according to His purpose. This is not to diminish the reality of human anguish but to show it can have redemptive value in God’s sovereign plan.

3. The Role of Free Will

One explanation for suffering lies in God’s gift of free will. Humanity is fashioned to know, love, and worship God freely. Deuteronomy 30:19 underscores the need for a choice: “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore choose life...” If God eliminated the possibility of suffering by removing free will, devotion would be forced rather than genuine.

This free will, however, carries the possibility of rebellion against God, resulting in harmful behaviors and their consequences. From a philosophical standpoint, love that is compelled is not truly love. Therefore, God’s omnipotence and benevolence unite in creating creatures who can choose to do good—or evil. Consequently, the misuse of freedom explains much of the suffering in the world, as sin’s destructive outcomes ripple through society (Romans 3:23).

4. The Consequence of the Fall

Genesis 3 describes the transition from a world God called “very good” (Genesis 1:31) to a fallen reality marked by illness, natural disasters, and human strife. When humanity disobeyed, sin corrupted what was originally designed to be an unblemished creation. As a further reflection, Romans 5:12 concludes: “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned.”

Geological evidence for a young earth perspective can be related to this understanding of a once-perfect creation now subject to decay and change. Research on delicate biological systems—like irreducibly complex molecular machines—points toward a designed original state. Many who study intelligent design argue that these complex biological features are better explained by a purposeful Creator than by random processes. Then, as sin’s consequences unfolded, brokenness and decay entered creation, providing the context for suffering as we observe it.

5. Testing, Growth, and God’s Purposes

Trials can foster endurance and spiritual strength. James 1:2–4 reminds believers: “Consider it pure joy…whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” Though suffering is painful, it can serve as a crucible refining moral character.

Historical examples offer insight into how adversity shapes believers. Early Christian martyrs were willing to face persecution, testifying to the resurrection of Christ even under threat of death. Their unwavering conviction was rooted in firsthand or near-firsthand encounters with the risen Savior (1 Corinthians 15). Modern anecdotal accounts include individuals enduring hardships—yet growing in compassion, patience, and a deeper relationship with God. These consistent stories of faith amid adversity resonate with the Bible’s portrayal of suffering’s potential to advance a person’s ultimate good.

6. Jesus’ Suffering and the Divine Compassion

The centerpiece for understanding why a loving, omnipotent God allows suffering is the cross. Jesus took on human form (John 1:14) and experienced exhaustion, hunger, sorrow, and betrayal. Ultimately, He submitted to crucifixion, dying for humanity’s sins. This act of self-sacrifice demonstrates that God is not aloof from suffering; He willingly enters it to provide redemption.

Isaiah 53 prophesies the Messiah as a “Man of sorrows,” acquainted with grief. The Gospels confirm the fulfillment of this prophecy. Archaeological evidence for the historical Jesus, such as the discovery of a first-century crucifixion victim’s remains bearing nail marks, corroborates the plausibility of the biblical narratives of execution. This unique hallmark of Christianity—that God’s Son suffered with humanity—underscores that suffering is not meaningless. God uses it for profound redemptive ends, climaxing in the resurrection’s victory over death.

7. Archaeological and Historical Evidences Supporting the Biblical Narrative

The Bible’s reliability is pivotal in trusting its explanations about suffering. Archaeological practices, like the unearthing of the Dead Sea Scrolls near Qumran, show the consistency of Old Testament manuscripts across centuries. The Great Isaiah Scroll testifies to remarkably accurate transmission of passages such as Isaiah 53, confirming that the Messiah’s sufferings were prophesied long before Christ.

Furthermore, first-century manuscripts of the New Testament reflect stable textual transmission. Their closeness in date to original events—unparalleled in ancient literature—bolsters confidence in the accuracy of the recorded teaching on Christ’s suffering, resurrection, and promise of ultimate restoration. External historical texts, including writings from Tacitus and Josephus, confirm details of Jesus’ trial and early Christian belief in His resurrection, reinforcing the authenticity of Scripture’s claims about God’s redemptive plan.

8. Eschatological Hope

Suffering does not have the final word. In Revelation 21:4, Scripture promises: “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain…” This new creation is the ultimate resolution for the suffering brought about by sin. Believers look forward to a restored world where God’s people will experience unbroken fellowship with Him.

From a philosophical standpoint, this eschatological hope provides a framework where temporary suffering leads to eternal redemption. Such a perspective also resonates with the concept of God shaping events toward a magnificent culmination of history. Just as the intricate fine-tuning of our planet suggests design, the overarching narrative of Scripture points to a divine plan where chaos, pain, and death eventually give way to the Creator’s final restoration.

9. Conclusion

Suffering’s coexistence with a loving, omnipotent God need not be viewed as contradictory. By integrating Scriptural truths and practical realities—our free will, the Fall’s corruption, the refining role of trials, and Christ’s own suffering—one sees a consistent explanation. God permits suffering for a season, but He also enters that suffering, redeems it, and promises its ultimate end.

In the meantime, sorrow can become a doorway to deeper fellowship with the One who is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). Though answers may not always be immediate or easy, the assurance of God’s wisdom and compassion stands firm. In the grand narrative, He is weaving together every thread, including suffering, for an eternal purpose that will one day be fully revealed in redemption and glory.