Suffering ≠ Sin? An Apologetics About Why Good People Suffer

During the Sunday Mass on March 23, 2025, I recalled the question that a Korean friend of mine in Junior High presented to me that somewhat went like this: "Why do good people suffer? Many people believe in God and do good works yet many of them have a difficult life than those who don't believe in God. If God doesn't even give them what they ask of to alleviate their suffering, then what's the purpose of worshiping Him?" Of course, this was his opinion. However— this line of thinking is indeed a prominent argument by many atheists to disprove God's existence.

For millennia, humanity has truly struggled with the issue of suffering, notably the conflict between the existence of a loving God yet the prevalence of misery in the world. And for us, Catholics, this paradox and argument is not something to ignore, but rather something we can address through an apologetic viewpoint that accepts the reality of suffering while asserting God's redeeming power.

A viewpoint that can also refute the simple concept of suffering as divine punishment and instead highlighting suffering's potential for spiritual growth and ultimate good.

The redeeming power of God is central to the Catholic perspective of suffering. 

This concept is exemplified by the greatest act of undeserved suffering— the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.  God proved His ability to make good out of evil by using this terrible incident as a means for our redemption in His boundless wisdom.

The same concept is echoed in the story of Joseph the Dreamer (Genesis 37–50), who was sold into slavery by his brothers.  Even though it seemed unfair, his years of adversity eventually aided God's plan to keep his family from famine. 

This is not to say that God intentionally causes suffering, but rather that He has the ability to use even the most traumatic events to provide strength, resilience, and spiritual growth.

Due to the subjective nature of "well-being," a definitive and quantifiable evidence comparing the "well-being" of atheists and religious people is still difficult to come across.

However, research from credible sources, such as the Pew Research Center, show that religious practice is associated with positive societal outcomes.

It indicates that actively religious individuals (in Christian-majority countries, around the world) tend to report greater happiness, and have a correlation with healthier behaviors like reduced smoking and drinking.

It is crucial to keep in mind, however, that individual experiences may vary widely.