Why does God allow suffering?
The hardest question humans ask - and the Bible offers profound answers that bring comfort even in pain.
20 Bible studies address this question
What the Bible Says
These Bible studies explore Scripture passages that speak to this question. Each study will give you insight and practical application.
Awake! Why Do You Sleep, O Lord?
The sons of Korah lament national defeat despite faithfulness, recalling past victories while crying out for God to awaken and redeem His suffering people.
My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?
This profound messianic psalm moves from the cry of abandonment to triumphant praise, prophetically detailing Christ's crucifixion and His ultimate vindication.
The Deaths of Jacob and Joseph
Genesis 50 concludes the book with Jacob's burial in Canaan, the brothers' fear of Joseph's revenge, Joseph's profound statement of God's providence, and Joseph's death with faith in God's future deli...
A Prayer of One Afflicted
David cries out under the weight of sin's consequences, describing physical suffering and abandonment by friends, yet holding onto hope in God alone.
How Long, Lord? Will You Be Angry Forever?
A communal lament over Jerusalem's destruction, crying out for help against enemies who have defiled God's temple and slaughtered His people. The psalm pleads for divine intervention based on God's ho...
He Who Dwells in the Shelter of the Most High
One of the most beloved psalms of protection, promising divine shelter for those who make the Lord their refuge. The psalm's comprehensive promises have comforted believers facing danger for millennia...
Why Do the Wicked Prosper?
The psalmist cries out to God about the arrogance and success of the wicked who oppress the poor, yet ends with confidence that God will hear and bring justice for the helpless.
Struggling with the Prosperity of the Wicked
Asaph honestly wrestles with why the wicked prosper while the righteous suffer. His journey from envy to sanctuary perspective to renewed faith speaks to everyone who has questioned God's justice.
I Will Sing of the Lord's Great Love Forever
Ethan's psalm begins celebrating God's covenant with David but shifts dramatically to lament over apparent covenant failure. The tension between promise and present reality creates one of the Psalter'...
Healing the Man Born Blind
Jesus heals a man blind from birth, sparking controversy because it happened on the Sabbath. The Pharisees interrogate the man and his parents, eventually expelling him from the synagogue. Jesus finds...
Power in Weakness
Paul shares his vision of paradise and his thorn in the flesh. God's answer: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore Paul boasts in weakness.
Bricks Without Straw
Exodus 5 records Moses and Aaron's first confrontation with Pharaoh, Pharaoh's harsh response of increased labor, and Israel's complaint against Moses—the first of many setbacks before deliverance.
Naomi's Tragedy and Ruth's Loyalty
In the days of the judges, famine drives Elimelech's family to Moab. After all the men die, Naomi returns to Bethlehem. Ruth refuses to leave her, declaring: "Where you go I will go... your God my God...
O Lord, the God Who Avenges
A cry for divine justice against oppressors who harm the vulnerable. The psalmist asks how long the wicked will triumph, affirming that the God who made ears and eyes surely hears and sees all injusti...
More Than Conquerors
Romans 8 is often called the greatest chapter in the Bible. It takes us from no condemnation to no separation, revealing the security and hope we have in Christ.
Living for God's Will
Since Christ suffered in the flesh, believers should arm themselves with the same attitude, living for God's will rather than human desires. Peter addresses using gifts to serve others and rejoicing w...
The God of All Comfort
Paul opens with praise to God who comforts us in all troubles so we can comfort others. He shares his affliction in Asia and God's deliverance, calling the Corinthians to prayer partnership.
Joseph Reveals Himself
Genesis 45 is the climactic moment of Joseph's story: unable to control himself any longer, Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers with tears, forgiveness, and a stunning theological interpretati...
The Brevity of Life
David reflects on life's fleeting nature, struggling to maintain silence about his suffering before realizing he must speak to God about his brief existence.
Come and See What God Has Done
An exuberant call to worship celebrating God's awesome deeds. The psalm moves from cosmic invitation to personal testimony, showing how corporate praise and individual gratitude interweave.
Still Have Questions?
The Bible has answers for every aspect of life. Keep exploring, or reach out to our pastoral team for personal guidance.