Why does God allow suffering.
Christianity does not pretend to have a complete answer to the to the problem of suffering but the following may be helpful to those struggling with the issue. Those who have serious intellectual difficulties with the problem of suffering may consider a fuller treatment of the subject such as those found in our book list below.
If life in this world was all there is to look forward to, then in our view, the problem of suffering would not be resolvable. It is clear, from the Bible, that God did not intend people to suffer and at some future time He will remove all evil and suffering. God will also make up for our suffering in the end if we are willing to trust Him.
In Christian understanding the root cause of suffering came about when the first man and woman rebelled against God. They were then driven from paradise and a curse was placed on creation. God's plan, at the end of the age, is to restore creation and create an environment in which His renewed people will, among other things, enjoy freedom from pain and suffering. God may use suffering to make us aware of our need of Him, to make us better people or to bring about a greater good as in the biblical story of Joseph. Short term pain can be for a long term good like a visit to the dentist.
Sometimes we suffer as a result of our own foolish choices and actions however most suffering is caused by people to other people through selfishness, greed, pride or just plain indifference to the needs of others. The question may be asked, why does God allow people to do evil things? If God made a world in which people could make genuine moral choices, that is to have desires and to act upon those desires, then the possibility of making wrong or evil choices must be real. Some people seem to get away with the evil they do but God holds all people responsible for their evil choices and will in the end deal with every person according to what they have done.
This may not be a satisfying explanation as to why God allows suffering but consider the following playlet called "The long silence" in which we see God identifying with people in their need, by suffering for them.