There is no short answer that makes suffering feel acceptable. The Bible does not ask us to pretend pain is simple, and we should be very careful about blaming someone who is hurting. Some suffering comes from human cruelty and selfish choices. Some comes from living in a world where bodies, relationships and creation itself are broken.
Christian faith also says that love requires genuine freedom. A world where people can truly love includes the possibility that they will choose harm. Recognising people’s ability to choose explains some evil, but it does not explain every tragedy or remove the grief. There are questions we may carry for a lifetime.
What gives Christians hope is that God has not kept his distance from suffering. In Jesus, God entered it. On the cross Jesus experienced violence, grief and the feeling of being abandoned, even praying the words of Psalm 22: ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ God gives us permission to lament, ask hard questions and cry out.
When you are suffering, you do not need a tidy explanation before you can reach for help. Grieve honestly, pray whatever words you have, and let trustworthy people stand with you. At The Lakes Church, we believe God is present in pain and is working towards a day when evil, death and suffering will not have the final word.
If you have questions, you can ask us anything at https://thelakes.org.au/contact-us/