Why doesn’t God put an end to evil and suffering? 

God allows evil and suffering to continue for three main reasons. First, although the suffering that results from evil is not what God wants, he can use it to our advantage. God knows something we do not know: that short-term pain is our long-term gain. Any parent who has taken their child to get a vaccination understands this principle. Shots are painful, but it sure beats the measles! Let’s face it – God is bigger than we are. God is all-powerful; we can lift only a few pounds; God is everywhere at once; we can only occupy a few square feet at one time; God knows everything; we’re still trying to figure out if there is a monster in Loch Ness. In times of suffering there is no need to wonder if God exists, or if he loves us, or if he really is more powerful than evil. Rather, rest on the promises of the Bible, and know that God does love us, he is in control of everything, and will only allow that which is beneficial for us.

Have you ever wondered about the meaning of life? How did I get here? How do I find true happiness? The Bible tells us exactly how to find meaning and purpose in life – enjoy a dynamic, personal and intimate relationship with God, our Creator. The second reason God allows suffering in our life is that it builds our relationship with him; and as the relationship grows, our net happiness goes through the roof. Just as human relationships are strengthened during difficult times, so is our relationship with God; but in order for a relationship to grow, it must first be formed. How do you establish a personal relationship with God? The Bible says that if we turn the car keys of our life over to God through faith in Jesus Christ, he will adopt us into his family and breakdown the barriers of sin that prevent us from enjoying a relationship with him. It’s very important to understand that God does not bring suffering upon us nor does he want us to suffer, but he does allow suffering because he can bless us through it. During the storms of life, God gives us peace in knowing he is there with us, rest in understanding there is no need to worry about anything, and the promise of eternal life with God if you have chosen to accept his gift of adoption into the family of God through faith in Jesus Christ.

A third reason God allows evil and suffering is because he is waiting for people to choose to be adopted into his family. Our spiritual adoptive status is the single criterion for spending eternity with God in Heaven, or apart from God in Hell; and, God wants as many people in his family as want to be in his family. God is being patient, willing to put up with something he hates and is ready to get rid of for the sake of those who have not yet been adopted. If you are a Christ follower, an adopted child of God, what if Jesus had come back to deal with evil permanently the day before you accepted Christ’s forgiveness? Aren’t you glad, for the sake of those who haven’t yet been adopted, that God is patient and is willing to wait for them? If you are not a Christ follower, please consider his invitation today. God is patient, but he will not wait forever.