Why Does a Good God Allow Suffering? Finding Hope in the "Kingdom Come"

It is perhaps the oldest and most honest question a human can ask. Whether it’s a global tragedy or a personal heartbreak, the weight of "why?" can be overwhelming. At Eldad Church, we don’t claim to have a simple "fix-it" answer that removes the pain, but we do find a profound sense of hope in the Christian perspective—a hope that points toward joyful restoration.

A World Out of Sync

The Bible tells us that the world we see today is not the world as God intended it to be. In the beginning, God’s creation was "very good." However, humanity was given the gift of free will—the ability to choose or reject God. By choosing our own way, we introduced a "Fall," a breaking of the relationship between humanity, nature, and God.

Much of the suffering we see—injustice, greed, and conflict—is a result of human choices. Other suffering, like illness, is a sign of a "groaning" creation that is currently out of its original alignment.

God is Not Distant in Our Pain

The unique answer of Christianity is that God did not stay distant from our pain. In Jesus Christ, God entered into human suffering. He wept at the grave of a friend, felt the betrayal of those closest to Him, and endured physical torture.

Because of the Cross, we know that when we cry out in pain, we are talking to a God who knows exactly how it feels. He is not a distant observer; He is a "Man of Sorrows" who sits with us in the darkness.

The Power of "Thy Kingdom Come"

We often assume that everything happening on Earth is "God’s will," but Jesus’ own words suggest otherwise. In the Lord’s Prayer, He taught us to pray:

"Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10)

As we have been reflecting on this year at Eldad, this prayer demonstrates that things happening on earth are often not what God intended. Suffering and evil are contrary to His perfect will.

Prayer as Influence

The joy of this prayer is that when we pray, we aren't just performing a ritual; we are exercising influence in a bad situation. Part of the incredible hope we carry is the ability to ask God to change circumstances to be more in line with the perfect goodness of His kingdom.

While not every situation changes instantly, we live with the expectation that Heaven can break into the brokenness of Earth.

Suffering is Not the End

Christianity provides a "tried and tested" hope: suffering is temporary, but God’s love is eternal. The resurrection of Jesus is the proof that death and pain do not have the final word.

We live in the "in-between" time—where pain is real, but a new world is being born. We believe that one day, God will "wipe away every tear" and restore all things to the joy He intended from the start.

Join the Conversation

At Eldad Church, we believe you don't have to carry these big questions alone. Our community is a place where it is safe to have doubts, safe to grieve, and safe to seek a way forward.

• Visit Us: Join us this Sunday at 10:30 am at Union Street to experience a community seeking "Kingdom living."

• Alpha Course: If you want to dive deeper into these questions over a meal, our Alpha Course is the perfect place to start. https://www.eldadchurch.org.gg/alpha

• Need Prayer? Our team would love to stand with you and pray for "Kingdom change" in your life. info@eldadchurch.org.gg