Question:

If God is almighty, then how can He be good to allow such suffering?  And if He is good, but the problem of suffering is beyond Him, then how can He be all-powerful God?

Background:

Many years ago, as a young man in a new church, I was in a group that was invited to offer consolation to a young mother.  She was looking for answers to why her baby, less than a year old, had just died.

I listened to what the older, established members said, and I was left wanting answers too.  I heard well-meant platitudes and church jargon that didn’t provide any answers at all.

There are many examples we could share on this question.  I recently heard an audio version of the book by C S Lewis, “The Problem of Pain”, which explores this in depth, but I can’t think of anything he said that would have helped that young mother.

In  my journey of belief, I have only found an adquate understanding of this dilemma in the person of Jesus, so I hope this will be sufficient cause for you to seriously explore that the bible has to say on these questions about life.

The best answers I have seen are given by Professor John Lennox — here is a link to a recent YouTube video of a short impromptu talk on The Hardest Question We Have to Face

Several years ago, I summarised my thoughts on this question when preparing a Communion reflection — link to: Communion reflection on Covid disaster