Why does God permit suffering? If Jehovah (the English translation of the Hebrew name Yahweh—click here for a detailed scriptural explanation) God is all-powerful, loving, wise, and just, why does the world seem filled with hatred and injustice? Have you ever found yourself asking these questions?

Is it wrong to question why God allows suffering? Some may fear that asking such a question indicates a lack of faith or shows disrespect to God. However, when reading the Bible, you'll find that even faithful, God-fearing individuals had similar doubts. For instance, the prophet Habakkuk asked Jehovah, "Why do you make me witness wrongdoing? Why do you tolerate oppression? Why is destruction and violence before me? Why do quarreling and conflict abound?"​—Habakkuk 1:3 (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2014).

Did Jehovah rebuke the faithful prophet Habakkuk for asking such questions? No. Instead, God included Habakkuk’s sincere words in the inspired Bible record. He also helped him gain a clearer understanding and stronger faith. Jehovah wants to do the same for you. Remember, the Bible reminds us that “he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7) God detests wickedness and the suffering it causes far more than any human ever could. (Isaiah 55:8, 9) So why, then, is there so much suffering in the world? (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2014)

Habakkuk 1:3, “Why do you make me witness wrongdoing? And why do you tolerate oppression? Why are destruction and violence before me? And why do quarreling and conflict abound? (Habakkuk 1:3, New World Translation)

1 Peter 5:7, “while you throw all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7, New World Translation)

Isaiah 55:8, 9, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, And your ways are not my ways,” declares Jehovah. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So my ways are higher than your ways And my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8, 9, New World Translation)

Why Is There So Much Suffering?

People from various religions have approached their spiritual leaders and teachers to ask why there is so much suffering. Often, the answer is that suffering is God’s will and that He predetermined everything, including tragic events. Many are told that God's ways are mysterious or that He brings death—sometimes even to children—so they can be with Him in heaven. However, as you have learned, Jehovah God does not cause what is bad. The Bible says, “It is unthinkable for the true God to act wickedly, for the Almighty to do wrong!”​—Job 34:10 (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2014).

Do you know why people often make the mistake of blaming God for all the suffering in the world? In many cases, they attribute the blame to Almighty God because they believe He is the true ruler of this world. However, they are unaware of a simple, yet important truth taught in the Bible: the real ruler of this world is Satan the Devil (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2014).

The Bible clearly says, "The whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one." (1 John 5:19) Also, Jesus referred to Satan as "the ruler of the world" (John 14:30) (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2008a). While Jehovah remains the Universal Sovereign and will never give up that position, for a time, God has permitted Satan to rule over most of mankind (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2008a). When you think about it, doesn't that make sense? This world mirrors the personality of the invisible spirit being who is "misleading the entire inhabited earth." (Revelation 12:9) Satan is hateful, deceptive, and cruel. As a result, the world, under his influence, is filled with hatred, deceit, and cruelty. This is one reason why there is so much suffering (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2014).

What kind of ruler has Satan been? From his first interaction with humans, Satan has been a murderer and deceiver. He has caused immense harm to human society in profound ways. Jesus condemned him with these words: “That one was a manslayer when he began, and he did not stand fast in the truth, because truth is not in him. When he speaks the lie, he speaks according to his own disposition, because he is a liar and the father of the lie.” (John 8:44) Jesus also pointed out that the men who sought to kill him were children of the first murderer, as they mirrored his actions. The adage "like father, like son" holds true (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2008a).

Satan continues to cultivate murderous attitudes in the hearts of mankind. For instance, R. J. Rummel, emeritus professor at the University of Hawaii, U.S.A., estimates that from 1900 to 1987, various governments were responsible for the deaths of 169,198,000 people during political purges, genocides, and acts of violence. This death toll does not include the millions more killed on the battlefield during the same period (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2008a).

Job 34:10, “So listen to me, you men of understanding: It is unthinkable for the true God to act wickedly, For the Almighty to do wrong! (Job 34:10, New World Translation)

1 John 5:19, “We know that we originate with God, but the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one.” (1 John 5:19, New World Translation) 

John 14:30, “I will not speak with you much more, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has no hold on me. But for the world to know that I love the Father, I am doing just as the Father has commanded me to do. Get up, let us go from here.” (John 14:30, New World Translation) 

Revelation 12:9, “So down the great dragon was hurled, the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth; he was hurled down to the earth, and his angels were hurled down with him.” (Revelation 12:9, New World Translation) 

John 8:44, “You are from your father the Devil, and you wish to do the desires of your father. That one was a murderer when he began, and he did not stand fast in the truth, because truth is not in him. When he speaks the lie, he speaks according to his own disposition, because he is a liar and the father of the lie." (John 8:44, New World Translation)

A second reason for widespread suffering is that humanity has been imperfect and sinful ever since the rebellion in the Garden of Eden. Sinful humans often compete for dominance, leading to wars, oppression, and suffering. (Ecclesiastes 4:1; 8:9) A third reason for suffering is "time and unexpected events." (Read Ecclesiastes 9:11.) In a world without Jehovah as a protective Ruler, people may suffer simply because they find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2014).

It is reassuring to know that God does not cause suffering. He is not responsible for the wars, crimes, oppression, or even the natural disasters that lead to people's suffering. However, we still need to ask: Why does Jehovah allow all this suffering? If He is Almighty and has the power to stop it, why does He refrain from doing so? The loving God we have come to know must have a good reason.​—1 John 4:8. The reason is that there are universal moral issues raised long ago that still need to be resolved. Let’s take a closer look at them (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2014).

Ecclesiastes 4:1, “Moreover, if two lie down together, they will stay warm, but how can just one keep warm? (Ecclesiastes 4:1, New World Translation)

Ecclesiastes 8:9, “All of this I have seen, and I applied my heart to every work that has been done under the sun, during the time that man has dominated man to his harm." (Ecclesiastes 8:9, New World Translation)

Ecclesiastes 9:11, “I have seen something further under the sun, that the swift do not always win the race, nor do the mighty win the battle, nor do the wise always have the food, nor do the intelligent always have the riches, nor do those with knowledge always have success, because time and unexpected events overtake them all.” (Ecclesiastes 9:11, New World Translation)

1 John 4:8, “Whoever does not love has not come to know God, because God is love." (1 John 4:8, New World Translation)

The Crucial Questions Raised

To understand why God allows suffering, we need to look back to the time when suffering began. Originally, the being who later became the Devil was a perfect spirit creature, one of God's angels (Job 1:6, 7). He transformed into the Devil when he became consumed by a selfish desire to be worshipped by humans (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2008b).

When Satan led Adam and Eve to disobey Jehovah, a crucial question was raised. Satan did not challenge Jehovah’s power—he knew that God’s power is limitless. Instead, Satan questioned Jehovah’s right to rule. By accusing God of being a liar and withholding good from His subjects, Satan claimed that Jehovah was a bad ruler. (Read Genesis 3:2-5) Satan suggested that mankind would be better off without God's rulership, making this an attack on Jehovah’s sovereignty and His right to govern (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2014).

Adam and Eve rebelled against Jehovah, effectively saying, "We do not need Jehovah as our Ruler. We can decide for ourselves what is right and wrong." They sided with Satan, rejecting God's sovereignty and opting for self-rule, which in reality meant being governed by the Devil (Genesis 3:1-6; Revelation 12:9) (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2008a). How could Jehovah resolve this issue? How could He show all intelligent creatures that the rebels were wrong and that His way is truly best? Some might suggest that God should have simply destroyed the rebels and started over. However, Jehovah had already declared His purpose to fill the earth with the descendants of Adam and Eve and to have them live in an earthly paradise. (Genesis 1:28) Jehovah always fulfills His purposes. (Isaiah 55:10, 11) Moreover, removing the rebels in Eden would not have addressed the question raised about Jehovah’s right to rule. Jehovah's sense of justice required that time be allowed for evidence to accumulate, ensuring that similar issues would not arise in the future (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2014).

The Devil raised another concern, accusing humans of serving God with selfish intentions. Regarding the faithful Job, Satan said to God: "Have you not placed a protective hedge around him, his household, and all that he has? . . . But, if you stretch out your hand and take away everything he has, he will surely curse you to your face." (Job 1:10, 11) While Satan's words were directed at Job, the underlying implication was that all humans serve God with selfish motives (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2015). Satan accused humans of serving God only when rewarded with blessings, suggesting that under difficult circumstances, everyone would "curse" their Creator (Job 1:8-11; 2:4, 5) (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2008b; Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2014).

Job 1:6, 7, “Now the day came when the sons of the true God entered to take their station before Jehovah, and Satan also entered among them. Then Jehovah said to Satan: “Where have you come from?” Satan answered Jehovah: “From roving about on the earth and from walking about in it.” (Job 1:6, 7, New World Translation)

Genesis 3:2-5, “At this the woman said to the serpent: “We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden. But God has said about the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden: ‘You must not eat from it, no, you must not touch it; otherwise you will die.’” At this the serpent said to the woman: “You certainly will not die. For God knows that in the very day you eat from it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and bad.” (Genesis 3:2-5, New World Translation)

Genesis 3:1-6, “Now the serpent was the most cautious of all the wild animals of the field that Jehovah God had made. So it said to the woman: “Did God really say that you must not eat from every tree of the garden?” At this the woman said to the serpent: “We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden. But God has said about the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden: ‘You must not eat from it, no, you must not touch it; otherwise you will die.’” At this the serpent said to the woman: “You certainly will not die. For God knows that in the very day you eat from it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and bad.” Consequently, the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was something desirable to the eyes, yes, the tree was pleasing to look at. So she began taking of its fruit and eating it. Afterward, she also gave some to her husband when he was with her, and he began eating it.” (Genesis 3:1-6, New World Translation)

Revelation 12:9, “So down the great dragon was hurled, the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth; he was hurled down to the earth, and his angels were hurled down with him.” (Revelation 12:9, New World Translation)

Genesis 1:28, ”Further, God blessed them, and God said to them: “Be fruitful and become many, fill the earth and subdue it, and have in subjection the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens and every living creature that is moving on the earth.” (Genesis 1:28, New World Translation)

Isaiah 55:10, 11, ”For just as the rain and the snow pour down from heaven, And do not return there until they saturate the earth, making it produce and sprout, Giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, So my word that goes out of my mouth will be. It will not return to me without results, But it will certainly accomplish whatever is my delight, And it will have sure success in what I send it to do.” (Isaiah 55:10, 11, New World Translation)

Job 1:10, 11, ”Have you not put up a protective hedge around him and his house and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his livestock has spread out in the land. But, for a change, stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your very face.” (Job 1:10, 11, New World Translation)

Job 1:8-11, “And Jehovah said to Satan: “Have you taken note of my servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth. He is an upright man of integrity, fearing God and shunning what is bad.” At that Satan answered Jehovah: “Is it for nothing that Job has feared God? Have you not put up a protective hedge around him and his house and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his livestock has spread out in the land. But, for a change, stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your very face.” (Job 1:8-11, New World Translation)

Job 2:4, 5, “But Satan answered Jehovah: “Skin for skin. A man will give everything that he has for his life. But, for a change, stretch out your hand and strike his bone and flesh, and he will surely curse you to your very face.” (Job 2:4, 5, New World Translation)

How Jehovah God Teaches His Angelic and Human Children

Such accusations from Satan required responses that could not be answered simply by a show of force. In fact, executing the Devil in the garden of Eden would perhaps have suggested to some that the Devil was right. So God, possessing absolute authority, began legal proceedings to settle such issues in the minds of all observers (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2008b).

Let’s consider an example. Imagine a teacher is showing his students how to solve a difficult problem. A clever but rebellious student argues that the teacher’s method is wrong and, implying that the teacher is incapable, insists that he knows a better way to solve it. Some of the other students begin to agree with him and also become rebellious. What should the teacher do? If he simply kicks the rebels out of the class, what would that do to the other students? Wouldn’t they think that the rebellious student and his followers were right? The rest of the class might lose respect for the teacher, believing that he is afraid of being proven wrong. But what if the teacher allows the rebel to demonstrate his method for solving the problem? (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2014)

Jehovah has done something similar to what the teacher does. Keep in mind that the rebels in Eden were not the only ones involved; millions of angels were watching (Job 38:7; Daniel 7:10) How Jehovah addressed the rebellion would have a profound impact on all those angels and, ultimately, on all intelligent creation. So, what has Jehovah done? He has allowed Satan to demonstrate how he would rule mankind. God has also permitted humans to govern themselves under Satan’s influence (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2014).

The teacher in our example understands that the rebel and his supporters are wrong. However, he also knows that giving them the opportunity to prove their point will benefit the entire class. When the rebels fail, all the honest students will see that the teacher is the only one qualified to lead. They will understand why the teacher then removes the rebels from the class. Similarly, Jehovah knows that all honest-hearted humans and angels will benefit from seeing that Satan and his fellow rebels have failed and that humans cannot govern themselves. Like Jeremiah of old, they will learn this crucial truth: “I well know, O Jehovah, that man’s way does not belong to him. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.”​—Jeremiah 10:23 (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2014).

In harmony with his principles and perfect justice, Jehovah God indicated that each party would produce witnesses who would give supporting testimony to its side of the controversy. The time allowed has given Adam’s descendants a chance to live and to add their testimony in God’s behalf by choosing to keep integrity to him out of love despite any hardships (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2008b).

But why has Jehovah allowed suffering to continue for so long? And why doesn’t He prevent bad things from happening? We will discuss the answers to these important questions in our next Scriptural Answers eLearning Course article.

Job 38:7, “When the morning stars joyfully cried out together, And all the sons of God began shouting in applause?” (Job 38:7, New World Translation)

Daniel 7:10, “A stream of fire was flowing and going out from before him. A thousand thousands kept ministering to him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The Court took its seat, and books were opened.” (Daniel 7:10, New World Translation)

Jeremiah 10:23, “I well know, O Jehovah, that man’s way does not belong to him. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.” (Jeremiah 10:23, New World Translation)

Quiz: How Well Do You Understand Suffering?

1. What did the prophet Habakkuk ask Jehovah? 

   a. Why do you permit oppression?
   b. Why do you create suffering?
   c. Why are people suffering?
   d. Why do you allow happiness to be fleeting?

2. What was Jehovah’s response to Habakkuk’s questions? 

   a. He rebuked Habakkuk for doubting.
   b. He ignored the prophet’s concerns.
   c. He included Habakkuk’s questions in the Bible.
   d. He gave Habakkuk a vague answer.

3. Why do many people mistakenly blame God for suffering? 

   a. They do not believe in Satan.
   b. They believe God is the ruler of the world.
   c. They believe suffering is part of God's plan.
   d. They think suffering is a test from God.

4. Who does the Bible say is the real ruler of the world? 

   a. God
   b. Jesus
   c. Satan the Devil
   d. The angels

5. What did Jesus say about Satan? 

   a. He is a servant of God.
   b. He is the ruler of the world.
   c. He was an angel of light.
   d. He was a faithful servant of Jehovah.

6. What has Satan done from the beginning of human history? 

   a. He brought peace to the world.
   b. He deceived humans and led them into sin.
   c. He healed the sick.
   d. He helped humans live in harmony with God.

7. What did the first humans, Adam and Eve, do when they rebelled against Jehovah? 

   a. They accepted God’s sovereignty.
   b. They questioned Jehovah’s rulership.
   c. They chose to follow Satan’s advice and rule themselves.
   d. They chose to live in a paradise on earth.

8. What does Jehovah want humans to learn from the situation in Eden? 

   a. That they must rely on Satan for wisdom.
   b. That humans can rule themselves better than Jehovah.
   c. That God's way is best for all intelligent creatures.
   d. That rebellion against God leads to immediate destruction.

9. Why has Jehovah allowed Satan to rule for a time? 

   a. To prove that Satan is right.
   b. To show that humans and angels cannot rule themselves.
   c. To demonstrate his own weakness.
   d. To let Satan prove his power.

10. What lesson does the example of a teacher handling a rebellious student teach about Jehovah’s approach? 

    a. The rebellious student should immediately be expelled.
    b. The teacher must show the rebels are wrong by allowing them to demonstrate their way.
    c. The teacher should allow students to rule themselves.
    d. The teacher should punish the rebels before they speak.

Answer Key

1. a. Why do you permit oppression?

2. c. He included Habakkuk’s questions in the Bible.

3. b. They believe God is the ruler of the world.

4. c. Satan the Devil

5. b. He is the ruler of the world.

6. b. He deceived humans and led them into sin.

7. c. They chose to follow Satan’s advice and rule themselves.

8. c. That God's way is best for all intelligent creatures.

9. b. To show that humans and angels cannot rule themselves.

10. b. The teacher must show the rebels are wrong by allowing them to demonstrate their way.

For more free, Bible-based answers to everyday topics, please visit jw.org.

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Bibliography

Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. (2013). New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc.

Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. (2014). Why does God allow suffering? https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1102005141#h=17

Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. (2008a). Our Readers Ask: Why Does God Allow Suffering? https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2008091

Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. (2015). Are You Disappointed in God? https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2015651

Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. (2008b). Why Doesn’t God Get Rid of the Devil? https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102010444

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