“...there was given to me a thorn in the flesh...” (II Corinthians 12:7b)

Why does God allow suffering?

Scripture gives no lengthy explanation, but there are hints about His purposes. Paul’s thorn in the flesh was apparently to prevent his being “exalted above measure” (II Corinthians 12:7c). The woman who had an “issue of blood” for twelve years (Mark 5:25-27) eventually had an encounter with Jesus. He publicly healed her, and many witnessed the astounding event. Eighteen were killed when a tower fell on them (Luke 13:4,5) and the Lord Jesus used the tragedy as an illustration to urge his listeners to repent. Job suffered much and was drawn even closer to God than before his woes.

When longtime missionaries visited our church recently, one of them commented on suffering. “God allows suffering,” he said, “so it can be observed.” Through the years, he had observed many godly people suffering. He couldn’t identify a purpose, but he concluded that God allowed it because someone or several needed to observe the sufferer for purposes only God knew.

That rings true.

Years ago at our church in South Carolina, we were enjoying fellowship, food, and fun at the annual churchwide picnic. A visitor played third base in a rousing softball game. A few of us knew that he did not know Christ and were glad that he was rubbing shoulders with believers in a casual setting. On one particularly spirited play, one of our deacons slid hard to avoid being tagged. The game ended when he clutched his leg, writhed in pain, and couldn’t stand. His leg was broken, and all grew quiet as people tended to him. Who stood nearby watching? The third baseman who needed Christ. The deacon had slid into third base, not second or home plate. Our visitor saw up close how a saved man endured pain. Is there a better explanation? The missionary’s words probably fit. God simply wanted the visitor (and others, of course) to see how that Christian handled suffering.

This view of suffering might cause some to think God is cruel. God’s mercy, however, is unfailing, and suffering would be multiplied if we got what we deserve. Our sin means we should not presume that God will show us mercy. Reality reveals that God shows abundant mercy. He doesn’t toy with us, and He determines who has a ringside seat--or who plays third base--to observe suffering for purposes He understands when we don’t.