Of all the questions, rebuttals, or challenges thrown at Christianity, this question is probably one of the most difficult to answer or even try to explain. How can a loving God allow suffering to continue in the very world which He had created in the first place? For those who have endured suffering themselves, this is much more than another question, but a deeply personal, emotional one.

I remember years ago, my former pastor was preaching on the same topic. Back then, I too had an excruciating experience with pain and suffering. As a child, I was beaten, bullied, I never was brought up in a good home, I never experienced the love of my biological parents simply because I was with another family, just to name a few.

While the pastor was preaching, he shared a story. The story behind the well-beloved hymn, “It Is Well With My Soul” penned by Horatio Spafford.

This hymn was written after traumatic events in Spafford’s life. The first two were the death of his four-year-old son and the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which ruined him financially (he had been a successful lawyer and had invested significantly in property in the area of Chicago that was extensively damaged by the great fire). His business interests were further hit by the economic downturn of 1873, at which time he had planned to travel to Europe with his family on the SS Ville du Havre. In a late change of plan, he sent the family ahead while he was delayed on business concerning zoning problems following the Great Chicago Fire. While crossing the Atlantic Ocean, the ship sank rapidly after a collision with a sea vessel, the Loch Earn, and all four of Spafford’s daughters died. His wife Anna survived and sent him a telegram which said, “Saved alone”. Shortly afterward, as Spafford traveled to meet his grieving wife, he was inspired to write these words as his ship passed near where his daughters had died.

This story struck me, how could such a man go through such painful and traumatic experiences but still can pen a hymn which until now we sing.

But again, why do we have to experience suffering?

The book of Job begins with a scene in heaven which provides us a background of Job’s suffering. Job suffered because God contested with Satan. And they—Job and his friends never knew this. So it is not surprising that they all struggle to explain his suffering, until Job finally rests in nothing but the faithfulness of God and the hope of His redemption. Neither Job nor his friends understood at the time the reasons for his suffering. In fact, when Job is finally confronted by the Lord, Job is silent. Job’s silent response does not in any way trivialize the intense pain and loss he had so patiently endured. Rather, it underscores the importance of trusting God’s purposes in the midst of suffering, even when we don’t know what those purposes are. Suffering, like all other human experiences, is directed by the sovereign wisdom of God. In the end, we learn that we may never know the specific reason for our suffering, but we must trust in our sovereign God. Which is the real answer to suffering.

Romans 8:28 contains comforting words for those enduring suffering: “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

We, believers, serve a God who has lived on this earth and endured trauma, temptation, bereavement, torture, hunger, thirst, persecution, and even execution. The cross of Christ at calvary can be regarded as the ultimate manifestation of God’s mercy, justice, and grace. If you are asked how much God cares about the problem of evil and suffering, we can point to the cross and say, “That much.”

Christ experienced physical pain as well as feelings of rejection and abandonment. He experienced the same suffering as many people today who know the bitterness of isolation, pain, and anguish. But fret not, because Christ has already risen. He has overcome these experiences, and even death itself. And will one day put an end to it all.

God, through John the beloved declared and wrote these words in Revelation 21:3-5 and it says, ” And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”

Until we are here on this earthly world, we may never fully understand or comprehend the reason for suffering, but one day soon, when we come home to Him, or He with us. Surely, it will all be revealed, and ever greater is on that day, there will be no more pain nor suffering.

Perhaps the pains of this life are a wake-up call for us to cling unto Him who will one day finally end it completely. And for us to reach out to those who are still wondering why.

But as the hymnist Horatio Spafford wrote:

“When peace like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know

It is well, it is well, with my soul.”