News & Peace: Why Does God Allow Suffering?
- Boundless Team
- Jul 5
- 4 min read
We’ve all been there, standing in the wreckage of a broken dream, sitting in a quiet hospital room, or watching the news and feeling a heavy knot tighten in our chest. The question isn't just academic; it’s deeply personal. It’s the cry of the heart when life feels unfair and the world feels unhinged.
Why Does God Allow Suffering?
While suffering entered the world through the Fall, God is not absent in our pain. He sovereignly uses every trial to produce perseverance, character, and hope, ultimately refining us to look more like Jesus while promising a future where every tear is wiped away.
Finding Peace in a Broken World
In 2026, we find ourselves at a unique crossroads. Between global instability and a rising awareness of mental health struggles, the "why" of suffering is more than a theological debate, it’s a daily reality for many in Memphis and across the globe. Whether you are walking through a season of depression, grieving a loss, or simply feeling the weight of the world, it is vital to understand that your pain is not a sign of God’s abandonment.
As a Spirit-filled community, we believe that God is Immanuel, God with us. He doesn't just watch our suffering from a distance; He entered into it through Jesus Christ.
Three Biblical Truths About Your Pain
When the storms of life hit, it’s easy to lose our footing. Here are three anchors to hold onto when you're asking "why":
Suffering is Not the Original Plan: The Bible is clear that in the beginning, God’s creation was "very good." Pain, sickness, and death were never part of the original design. They are the result of the Fall, the brokenness that entered our world through sin.
God Uses What He Does Not Author: While God is not the author of evil, He is the master of redemption. He takes the broken pieces of our lives and weaves them into something beautiful. Romans 8:28 reminds us that He works all things together for the good of those who love Him.
Your Pain Has a Purpose: This is perhaps the hardest truth to swallow in the middle of a trial. However, the Assemblies of God doctrine emphasizes that suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope (Romans 5:3-4). Like gold refined in the fire, our faith is often strengthened most in the heat of hardship.
Mental Health and the Peace of Christ
In recent years, we have seen a significant shift in how we discuss mental and emotional health within the church. At First Assembly Memphis, we believe that seeking help for your mind is just as spiritual as seeking help for your body.
Topic | Biblical Perspective | Practical Action |
Anxiety | "Cast all your anxiety on Him." (1 Peter 5:7) | Practice daily prayer and seek professional counseling. |
Depression | "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted." (Psalm 34:18) | Reach out to a Life Group or a trusted friend. |
Grief | "Blessed are those who mourn." (Matthew 5:4) | Allow yourself time to process with God and others. |
Understanding the Terms
To go deeper into this conversation, it helps to understand a few key biblical concepts:
Sovereignty: The supreme authority and rule of God over all creation. Nothing happens outside of His knowledge or His ultimate plan.
Theodicy: The vindication of God's goodness and providence in view of the existence of evil.
Sanctification: The lifelong process of being set apart for God and made more like Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit.
How to Respond to Hardship
If you are in the middle of a "why" season, don't try to go it alone. Here is how we recommend taking your next step:
Be Honest with God: Read the Psalms. They are filled with "lament", honest cries of frustration, anger, and sadness directed at God. He can handle your questions.
Connect with Community: Whether you are in Cordova, Bartlett, or joining us through Boundless Online Church, you were never meant to carry your burdens by yourself. Community is the "skin" God often puts on His love.
Focus on the "Who" instead of the "Why": Sometimes the answer to "why" remains a mystery this side of heaven. In those moments, we shift our focus from the reason for the pain to the Person who walks with us through it.
A Future Without Pain
The ultimate answer to suffering is found in the "Blessed Hope", the return of Jesus Christ. We live in the "already but not yet." We already have victory in Christ, but we do not yet see the full restoration of all things. One day, God will wipe every tear from our eyes, and death and pain will be no more (Revelation 21:4). Until then, we stand firm, we support one another, and we trust the Potter's hands.
Do you feel like you're walking through the fire right now?
We'd love to connect with you. Visit www.boundlessonlinechurch.org to join our community from anywhere, or if you're in the Memphis area, find us at www.famemphis.org.
Need prayers? Text us day or night at 1-901-213-7341. (Note: This line is for prayer and pastoral support, not emergency services. If you are in immediate danger or need urgent help, please call 911.)
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