Why does God allow the innocent to suffer?

Answer

There is a significant amount of suffering in the world, and it impacts everyone to varying degrees. At times, individuals endure suffering due to their own poor decisions, sinful behaviors, or deliberate irresponsibility; in such instances, we witness the truth of Proverbs 13:15, “The way of the treacherous is their ruin” (ESV). However, what about those who fall victim to treachery? What about the innocent individuals who experience suffering? Why would God permit this?

It is inherent in human nature to seek a connection between wrongful conduct and adverse circumstances, as well as between virtuous behavior and blessings. The inclination to associate sin with suffering is so prevalent that Jesus addressed the issue on multiple occasions. “As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus” (John 9:1-3). The disciples erred in assuming that the blame for the blind man’s condition (or that of his parents) lay in personal sin. Jesus corrected their misconception by stating, “This happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him” (verse 3). The man’s blindness did not stem from personal sin; rather, God had a greater purpose for his suffering.

On another occasion, Jesus addressed the deaths of individuals killed in an accident: “Those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish” (Luke 13:4-5). Once again, Jesus dismissed the idea that calamity and suffering result from personal sin. Simultaneously, Jesus underscored the reality that we inhabit a world tainted by sin and its consequences; hence, everyone must be prepared.

This brings us to the consideration of whether such a thing as “the innocent,” technically speaking, even exists. According to the Bible, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” «for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; », (Romans 3:23). Therefore, no one is “innocent” in the sense of being sinless. We were all born with a sinful nature, inherited from Adam. And, as we’ve already seen, everyone suffers, regardless of whether or not the suffering can be linked to a specific personal sin. Sin’s effects permeate everything; the world is fallen, and all creation suffers as a result «For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. », (Romans 8:22).

Most heartbreaking of all is the suffering of a child. Children are as close to innocence as we ever see in this world, and for them to suffer is truly tragic. Sometimes, innocent children suffer because of the sin of others: neglect, abuse, drunk driving, etc. In those cases, we can definitely say that the suffering is the result of personal sin (just not theirs), and we learn the lesson that our sin always affects others around us. Other times, innocent children suffer because of what some might call “acts of God”: natural disasters, accidents, childhood cancer, etc. Even in those cases, we can say that the suffering is the result of sin, generally speaking, because we live in a sinful world.

The good news is that God did not leave us here to suffer pointlessly. Yes, the innocent suffer (see Job 1–2), but God can redeem that suffering. Our loving and merciful God has a perfect plan to use that suffering to accomplish His threefold purpose. First, He uses pain and suffering to draw us to Himself so that we will cling to Him. Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble” «These things I have spoken to you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. », (John 16:33).

I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). Trials and distress are not something unusual in life; they are part of what it means to be human in a fallen world. In Christ, we have an anchor that holds fast in all the storms of life, but if we never sail into those storms, how would we know that? It is in times of despair and sorrow that we reach out to Him, and if we are His children, we always find Him there waiting to comfort and uphold us through it all. In this way, God proves His faithfulness to us and ensures that we will stay close to Him. An added benefit is that as we experience God’s comfort through trials, we are then able to comfort others in the same way “who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” (2 Corinthians 1:4).

Second, He proves to us that our faith is real through the suffering and pain that are inevitable in this life. How we respond to suffering, especially when we are innocent of wrongdoing, is determined by the genuineness of our faith. Those with faith in Jesus, “the pioneer and perfecter of faith” “looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2), will not be crushed by suffering but will come through the trial with their faith intact, having been “tested by fire” so that it “may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” “that the trial of your faith, being much more precious.Than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: », (1 Peter 1:7, ESV). The faithful do not shake their fists at God or question His goodness; rather, they “consider it pure joy” «My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; », (James 1:2), knowing that trials prove that they are truly the children of God. “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him” «Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. », (James 1:12).

Finally, God uses suffering to redirect our focus from this world to the next. The Bible consistently urges us not to become entangled in worldly matters but to anticipate the eternal world to come. The innocent endure suffering in this world, yet this world and all within it will fade away; the kingdom of God is everlasting. Jesus stated, “My kingdom is not of this world” «Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. », (John 18:36), and His followers do not view the circumstances of this life, whether good or bad, as the final chapter. Even the sufferings we endure, as severe as they may be, “are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” «For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory w, (Romans 8:18).

Could God prevent all suffering? Of course, He could. But He assures us that “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose” «And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. », (Romans 8:28, KJV). Suffering—even the suffering of the innocent—is part of the “all things” that God is using to accomplish His good purposes, ultimately. His plan is perfect, His character is flawless, and those who trust Him will not be disappointed.