For questions like these and other deep, often unanswerable questions, it can really show how small groups at church can help you navigate this journey we call life. God doesn't create many of the disasters like pandemics to happen to us; we decided to turn away from God's perfect world back in the Garden of Eden. God, nowadays, does allow things to happen for a reason. Pain may not be desirable, but it's only a feeling, as is joy. Yet pain is not mere suffering; it is also a warning sign and a way to protect us against danger. That something may hurt is undeniable, and that we will all feel some sort of pain at some point is inevitable, but whether this pain is our doing or God's is something entirely different. The all-knowing, all-powerful, all-good God allows us to suffer, just as He allows us all sorts of things because we have the freedom to behave as we will. But He has also provided a place with the greatest contentment we can imagine if only we listen to Him, listen to His Son, and listen to God’s Word, the Bible. As to the specific issue of pain and suffering, well-known Christian author C.S. Lewis, who watched his beloved wife die of cancer, put it this way: "Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world." God's plan is for us to return to Him and lead the best possible life on earth. Sometimes, we need to be reminded of our purpose. Pain is a sharp, strong tool to achieve that purpose. A needle may be necessary to prevent disease or infection. Nobody welcomes or enjoys the injection, but it prevents far greater suffering, just as what may seem like even intolerable pain now will lead to far greater happiness later. Whether or not we understand His reasons, we must remember that God is good, just, loving, and merciful (Psalm 135:3). Often, bad things happen to us that we simply cannot understand. Instead of doubting God’s goodness, our reaction should be to trust Him. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight”(Proverbs 3:5–6). We walk by faith, not by sight. Sadly, it is often after a disaster that people have their confidence in this life shaken and are forced to think about eternity. Churches are usually filled after disasters as people realize how tenuous their lives really are and how life can be taken away in an instant. What we do know is this: God is good! Many amazing miracles occurred during natural disasters that prevented even greater loss of life. Natural disasters cause millions of people to re-evaluate their priorities in life. If you have suffered through something in particular, you are then best equipped to help someone else in a similar situation. Churches such as The Salvation Army have the opportunity to help, minister, counsel, pray, and lead people to saving faith in Christ! God can, and does, bring great good out of terrible tragedies (Romans 8:28). Remember, bad things may happen to good people in this world, but this world is not the end. Christians have an eternal perspective: “We do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16–18). We will have a reward someday, and it will be glorious. Join us doing life together, join a small group, bring this question and others up for further understanding and, have others pray for you as times of suffering come your way. Connect with us anytime to ask further questions. (adapted from responses to FAQs on Bible Questions Answered | GotQuestions.org)