Human Suffering And The Reasons God Ignores It -

Many people have lamented at some point in their lives that, in spite of their faithfulness and loyalty to God, he has neglected them. They have wondered why, in spite of their ceaseless, constant prayers, God has turned a blind eye to their suffering. For centuries, people have been asking this important and profound question. One of the most difficult topics in philosophy and religion is the question of suffering and God’s role in it.

Numerous religious traditions make various attempts to answer this question:

Some people think that because God gave people free will, there is suffering. People make decisions, some of which are good, some bad—and suffering is a result of those choices. If God were to intervene constantly, free will would be meaningless.

Some traditions suggest that suffering is a test or a means of personal and spiritual growth. Hardships refine people, build resilience, and deepen faith.

Others believe that God’s ways are beyond human understanding. What seems like suffering may serve a higher purpose that humans cannot yet see.

Some theologies also argue that evil and suffering are the results of a broken world, influenced by forces opposed to God (such as in Christian beliefs about Satan).

While God may not stop suffering directly, many religious traditions emphasize that God works through people to help alleviate pain and injustice. The call to love and help others is a major theme in Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and other religions.

In traditions like Hinduism and Buddhism, suffering is often seen as a result of past actions (karma), whether in this life or a previous one.

It’s understandable to struggle with this question, especially when witnessing deep pain and injustice.

Why God Gives People Second Chances And Forgiveness

If God is all-loving and all-powerful, why would suffering be necessary for growth? Couldn’t an all-knowing God develop people in ways that don’t require pain? These are some of the questions people keep asking.

Here are some possible ways people approach this issue:

The Nature of Growth and Struggle— Many things in life grow stronger through resistance—muscles require strain to build, wisdom often comes from hardship, and deep compassion is often born from personal suffering. Some argue that without challenges, there would be no real moral or spiritual growth. However, this still raises the question: Why so much suffering? Why is growth tied to pain?
A World Without Suffering Might Lack Depth— Some believe that a world without suffering might also lack things like courage, sacrifice, and deep love. If there were no danger, would bravery exist? If there were no loss, would love have the same depth? But again, why couldn’t an all-powerful God create a reality where growth happens in a different way?

Another perspective is that suffering exists not because God directly endorses it, but because He allows freedom. A world where people can choose love and goodness also means they can choose evil, and suffering is the natural consequence. However, this explanation doesn’t fully account for things like natural disasters, disease, or the suffering of innocent children.

Some perspectives suggest that the world is not yet perfected—that suffering exists because creation itself is in progress. In some interpretations of Christian and Jewish thought, the world is broken by sin and will one day be restored. In other traditions, suffering is part of an ongoing cosmic process.

Even if suffering has a purpose, many people struggle to accept that a loving God would allow intense suffering, especially of innocent people. Some turn away from belief in God because of this, while others find deeper faith in helping to alleviate suffering in the world.

What do you think—do any of these ideas resonate with you, or do you see it differently?