LIFE’S QUESTIONS: WHY IS THERE SO MUCH SUFFERING?

Pastor Jonathan Falwell 

Romans 8:18–31 (CSB) 

1. Getting the proper perspective 

Vs 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us. 

Vs 18 (NLT) Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.

• From Genesis 3 forward, this world has been broken by sin. It was not God’s plan or desire, it was man’s disobedience which brought suffering
• Perfection requires total obedience and submission to a holy God
• Regardless of the suffering we experience, two things are true:
  • It is temporary
  • Victory is assured

James 1:2–4 (CSB) Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, 3because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

“That is especially true for unbelievers who consider themselves to be Christians and need to recognize that faith that is reliable only when things are going well is not saving faith and is worth nothing.”[i] – John MacArthur

2. The reality of emptiness

Vss 19-23 For the creation eagerly waits with anticipation for God’s sons to be revealed.20For the creation was subjected to futility—not willingly, but because of him who subjected it—in the hope 21that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage to decay into the glorious freedom of God’s children. 22For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains until now. 23Not only that, but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the firstfruits—we also groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.

• The reality of suffering should inform how we live; we are here for now, but God…
• This world is indeed an empty place but through communion with God our hearts are lifted in expectation

Vss 20-21 (NLT) Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, 21the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay.

1. Vernon McGee – “Some have called our attention to the fact that nature sings in a minor key. The wind blowing through the pine trees on a mountainside and the breaking of the surf on some lonely shore—both emit the same sob. The music of trees has been recorded, and it is doleful. The startled cry of some frightened animal or bird pierces the night air and chills the blood. Surely nature bears audible testimony to the accuracy of Scripture. Godet quotes Schelling in this connection, “Nature, with its melancholy chorus, resembles a bride who, at the very moment when she is fully attired for the marriage, saw the bridegroom die. She still stands with her fresh crown and in her bridal dress but her eyes are full of tears. ”It is accurate to say that “nature is groaning.”[ii] 

3. The promise of partnership

Vss 26-27 In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings. 27And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

• We are not alone…the Holy Spirit is with us, praying for us, looking out for us
• This is one of the greatest benefits of salvation here on earth

William Kynes said, “The struggle with evil and suffering in this fallen world is only temporary. For God has already won the decisive battle in this war, and His ultimate and complete victory is absolutely certain. And if the cross of Jesus Christ shows us that our God shares in our suffering, then the resurrection of Jesus Christ demonstrates that God’s triumph over evil is assured.”[iii]

4. The comfort of hope

Vss 28-31 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. 29For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified. 31What, then, are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

• Verse 28 lays out this truth: we can’t lose no matter what
• God is on our side

Robert Mounce said, “[Knowing] the suffering that accompanies membership in the family of God, Paul laid out three grounds of encouragement: (1) the glory that will be revealed (vv. 18–25), (2) the help of the Holy Spirit (vv. 26–27), and (3) the fact that all things work together for good (vv. 28–30).[iv]

Vss 28-31 (NLT) And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 29For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory. 31What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?

Tim Keller said, “Very seldom do we even get a millionth of a millionth of a millionth of a glimpse of how God is working all things together for good to those who love God, but he is.”

2 Cor. 4:16–18 (CSB) Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. 17For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. 18So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

[i] John F. MacArthur, James: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1998.)

[ii] J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible Commentary: The Epistles (Romans 1-8), electronic ed., vol. 42 (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991), 153–154.

[iii] William Kynes, C.S. Lewis Institute Website, https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/resources/why-would-a-good-god-allow-so-much-suffering; accessed April 2026.

[iv] Robert H. Mounce, Romans, vol. 27, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1995), 183.