Why God Allows Suffering in the World
- oakunderthemoon
- Feb 9
- 5 min read
Updated: May 15
Understanding Why God Allows Suffering: A Spiritual Perspective
It’s not uncommon for atheists and agnostics to ask, If there’s a God, why is there so much suffering in the world? While it’s an understandable question, it’s not one I find particularly profound or challenging. Instead, it reveals a misunderstanding of spiritual law and divinity itself.
This perspective often stems from the assumption that a higher power is entirely responsible for the human experience, leaving little room for the role of free will or the soul’s participation in life. By placing all responsibility on God, we overlook the deeper dynamics at play—our ability to co-create our lives, the soul’s growth through challenges, and the agreements we make before incarnating.
When we view suffering through the lens of spiritual law, it becomes clear that life is not something that simply happens to us. Instead, we are active participants in a journey designed for growth, learning, and the evolution of the soul. The question of why God allows suffering is a complex one, often rooted in a limited understanding of these spiritual dynamics.
Pre-Life Agreements: Choosing Experiences for Growth
One of the most misunderstood aspects of spiritual law is the concept of pre-life incarnation agreements. On a soul level, before entering a lifetime, I believe we choose experiences that will facilitate our growth and evolution. These agreements may include challenges that seem overwhelming or unfair from a human perspective—poverty, illness, loss, or even trauma.
The confusion lies in the fact that we don’t consciously remember these agreements. When we encounter suffering in life, it’s easy to feel victimized or abandoned by a higher power. But as we grow spiritually, we begin to trust that there is purpose in what manifests. We come to see that we are not passive recipients of life’s events but participants in a grander design, one shaped by the soul’s desire for growth and wisdom.
For instance, a soul may choose to incarnate into poverty. While this may appear as a lack from an external perspective, the soul may use this experience to cultivate profound inner riches. Living with less can teach gratitude for the small joys of life, such as time with loved ones, the beauty of nature, or simple moments of connection. It can inspire resourcefulness and resilience, showing how to find happiness in what one has rather than what one lacks. Some souls may develop a deep sense of empathy, becoming more compassionate and generous as a result of their experience. In this way, the soul leaves spiritually wealthy, having gained qualities that no material possessions could ever provide.
Similarly, consider a soul who chooses to be born into a war-stricken region. From a human perspective, this may seem incomprehensible. Why would anyone willingly endure such fear, loss, and instability? Yet, at a soul level, such an experience may foster unparalleled growth. These individuals may learn to cherish the bonds of family, even amidst chaos, or develop incredible perseverance and courage. They might emerge from the experience with a profound commitment to peace, justice, or rebuilding communities. Their suffering, though immense, often deepens their capacity for love, compassion, and hope.
From a spiritual perspective, what seems like suffering to humans is often viewed neutrally by the soul. Challenging or dark experiences may be agreed upon as catalysts for self-realization. The soul’s primary intent is to cultivate divine and eternal qualities—virtues such as love, forgiveness, patience, and wisdom. These are seen as the true treasures of existence and the ultimate goal of incarnation.
The Spiritual Wealth of Challenges
Challenges, though painful, often bring profound spiritual gifts. Someone who experiences loss may develop a deeper understanding of love and the impermanence of life. Someone who faces illness might cultivate patience, acceptance, or gratitude for the present moment.
Suffering, when seen through the soul’s lens, is part of an upward spiral—a process of becoming. The soul’s deepest desire is to evolve into greater alignment with its divine essence, holding qualities of eternal truth and virtue. This growth is often prioritized above comfort, ease, or material success. While other parts of our being—our mind, emotions, or body—may resist or fear suffering, the soul recognizes it as an opportunity for transformation and expansion.
This doesn’t mean that suffering is easy or that we should dismiss its impact. It simply invites us to see it as part of a larger journey—one that leads to spiritual refinement, greater wisdom, and a richer understanding of ourselves and others.
Related: The Full Spectrum of Transformation
Free Will and Divine Participation
Another critical piece of the puzzle is free will. Many people view God or a higher power as a force that controls everything, including human suffering. But this perspective denies the role of free will and the co-creative nature of life.
Free will allows us to make choices, learn from their consequences, and take responsibility for our growth. Much of the suffering in the world results from human decisions—acts of greed, anger, and fear that ripple outward, affecting others. These choices are not dictated by God but are the product of free will, which is an essential part of our spiritual development. How would we grow without freewill? The answer is simple, we wouldn't. We would be slaves not the free creators God wants us to be.
At the same time, divine intervention is not absent—it simply operates in harmony with free will. Prayer, intention, and asking for guidance are ways of using our free will to invite divine support. When we ask, we create an opening for the divine to participate in our lives. However, this intervention must align with the highest good for all involved.
Sometimes, divine intervention doesn’t remove the suffering itself but instead brings clarity, comfort, or inner strength to navigate the challenge. These gifts often hold the potential for deeper growth and transformation, facilitating a greater understanding of life’s purpose and the soul’s resilience.
My Personal Reflection on Pain and Transformation
As a transformational life coach and energy practitioner who has worked full-time for over a decade, I have the privilege of witnessing the incredible ways pain and suffering can become catalysts for emotional healing, spiritual growth, and the deepening of self-awareness. Every day, I see how challenges lead people to expand and elevate, transforming into more aligned and exalted versions of themselves.
I often feel like an usher or a stewardess within Plato’s metaphorical cave, guiding individuals as they navigate their own shadows. In this sacred space, I witness them confront the darkness, only to turn it toward the light. It’s an extraordinary process—the art of becoming. To hold space for this journey is to watch divinity in motion, as each person uses their pain to create something meaningful, something transformational. It’s a profound interplay of human courage and divine grace, where suffering becomes the raw material for growth and the darkness becomes the very force that propels them into the light.
Final Reflections
Suffering is not a punishment or a failure of divinity—it is an integral part of the human experience, rooted in free will, the soul’s growth, and the lessons we are here to learn. While it can feel overwhelming, suffering often holds the potential for profound transformation.
The spiritual wealth gained from challenges—the empathy, resilience, and wisdom—far outweighs the temporary pain. And while we are not alone in this process, divine support is not imposed; it is invited. Through prayer, intention, and trust, we align ourselves with a greater power that guides us toward healing and wholeness.
Ultimately, suffering invites us to look deeper—not just into the nature of life but into the nature of ourselves. By embracing its lessons, we grow into more compassionate, loving, and spiritually abundant beings, aligned with the wisdom of our souls and the grace of the divine.
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