Why Does God Allow Pain & Suffering?

When I think about a common denominator or the bridge that holds all humans together, I propose one experience might be pain and suffering. We see it all around us, across the globe and the timeline of history. It is inescapable for all of us. We come to the question that will occupy us this week. Where is God in all this suffering? Why does God allow so much pain and evil in our world?

I come to this question with humility and sensitivity. Each of us will approach this question from our own personal experience, and for some pain is too raw right now; for others, it brings anger and cynicism. I am in a place where I can step back and share some of my own personal perspective. While we may wish for more answers from God in the Bible, we do see he is the God of hope, and he asks us over and over again, “will you trust me in this?” We need look no further than to Jesus, his cross, and his resurrection to know that he is for us, and understands our pain. But still… why?