Why does a good God allow suffering?

When theists ponder evil and suffering, they inevitably phrase the question, "why would a good God allow evil and suffering." A simple examination of the question itself leads to five observations.

1) There is a God!
2) He is a good God!
3) He is a sovereign God!
4) Suffering is a reality!
5) The good and sovereign God allows suffering! But why does He do so?

The debate has raged for centuries. Even the Bible does not avoid raising the issue. Jesus faced the challenge on a number of occasions. Sometimes it came to Him in subtle forms, sometimes directly. One of the most striking incidences in which He faced the problem of a good God and an evil world is recorded the 9th chapter of John's gospel. The discussion ensues on the heels of one of the lengthiest reports of any miracle He preformed.

As Jesus was walking along with His disciples, they crossed the path of a man who was blind from birth. The disciples weren't just content to witness the miracle of sight retored, they wanted to know more. They sought an explanation for his blindness. "Who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind" (John 9:2)? Is he responsibile for his suffering or is someone else? It was widely held that suffering, especially the diaster of blindness, resulted from sin. The disciples evidently accepted this, but the present case perplexed them. There were serious difficulties in seeing how a man who was born blind could have sinned himself, thus resulting in his lack of sight. And it is not much easier to think that a man should bear such a punishment for the sin of his parents. So the disciples put the question to Jesus.

The Master completely surprised them with His answer that it was neither the man nor his parents who were responsible for his physical challenge. "It was so the works of God might be made manifest in him" (John 9:3). But how does this response help? Has God caused the suffering of this man so that God might gain some greater glory? Is that the way God works? Does He toy with His creation to get something for Himself? At first glance it may appear so, but in comparing Scripture with Scripture we know it isn't that simple. What is clear from the response here is that God is at work, and we want to know why He works this way.

Again and again the challenge is raised. Sometime ago I stood over the bed of a 17 year old boy with muscular dystrophy, his twisted frame a testimony to the agony of living with that dread diease all these years. He's a geniune believer, knows he going to heaven to get a new body, and has an incredible attitude in spite of the suffering he has endured for so long. WHY does a good and sovereign God allow such a thing?

We pray constantly for a little girl whose grandfather is a member of our deacon board. She was born with spina bifida; has undergone over twenty different surgeries in her young life; and will never be able walk like you and me. WHY?

Nearly three years ago an unspeakable tragedy occurred in our community when a little boy accidently shot his younger brother to death. Their father works on our church staff, and his mother plays the piano during our worship services. They love God like few people I know, and have given themselves to building of the kingdom of God. All that is in me wants to know WHY!

Like every pastor I have buried young and old alike, many with dieased wracked bodies, others lossing their lives in aweful accidents. These include: Keith-42, Greg-36, Brent-51, Shane-29, Josh-16, Brittany-23, Jim-62, and many more. I have counseled the parents of run-away children; spouses with run-away partners; pastors with run-away church members; and many people with run-away depression; each one crying out to the Lord God of heaven, WHY?

Is it enough to say that God is at work in them for His greater glory? Is it enough to say, "Trust Him, it will all work out one day?" What do we say? How do we respond? Can you help me so I can help them?