Why does God allow depression and anxiety and suffering?

This is probably the question which has been asked the most throughout the history of mankind!  And there are no easy answers.  The fact is that we live in a sinful world and therefore terrible things happen seemingly in a random fashion to everyone at different times.  Let’s try and work out how this came about.

When we look at God’s creation in the beginning, Genesis 1 and 2 tells us that everything that God made was very good; in fact God put perfect humans in a perfect environment!  Suffering was not part of the equation at all! Then God gave Adam and Eve one test of loyalty: staying away from one specific tree and not eating its fruit, while having thousands of other trees full of fruit they could enjoy.  But as we know, they unfortunately fell for the devil’s lies and here we have the result, a sinful world filled with suffering.  

God could have erased everything sinful and started again, but what would have stopped sin from rising up again and again?   So what God has done is allowed the world to experience the horrors of sin, by allowing Satan to do what he does.  We see the results all around us and it breaks our hearts, especially when the young and innocent are involved.  Bad things happening to good, and innocent, people!

But God did have a plan from before the creation of the earth, which was the Son of God, Jesus, coming to earth as a human, and paying the price for all our sins.  This means that we don’t have to suffer in this sinful mess forever, but that we get the choice of a future living with God forever in a sinless, pain-free, perfect environment!  And because we have all experienced the utter horror of sin during our lifetimes here on earth, we will choose never to let it happen again!  Satan has been given enough rope to hang himself, by the awful things that he is inflicting on us, and the whole universe will one day agree that the eradication of sin and its instigator is the only solution.

So don’t give up on God; He has suffered the most of all!  Imagine watching your beloved children committing the most aweful atrocities against each other!  He has done that for thousands of years, and hopefully we are almost at the end of the suffering.  Rather get to know God and grab hold of His wonderful offer of living with Him for eternity, and have the opportunity of seeing Him face to face.  Then all the death, disease, pain, suffering and heartache will eventually be forgotten as we live as God intended: in perfect love and peace forever!

John 14     “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. ² In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

John 3     ¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. ¹⁷ For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

2 Corinthians 5:21    For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Ephesians 2     ⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Revelation 21      Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. ² Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. ³ And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴ And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

As far as personal help for depression and anxiety is concerned, you will see from the following passages of Scripture that God is able to do far beyond what we can imagine to help us.  He is aware of our problems and pain, and wants to help us get through these times. We sometimes see only a very small part of the picture, while God has a bird’s eye view, and He knows what we need before we even ask.  Sometimes He seems not to be there at all, but be assured that He loves you very much and is concerned for your welfare, but often He uses these situations to grow our faith and to show us what He is able to do.  So don’t despair, give it all to God and watch how He takes care of the situation!  

Proverbs 3     ⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;   ⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

Philippians 4     ⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 4     ¹² Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; ¹³ but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

2 Corinthians 1     ³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Romans 8:28     And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Psalm 34:17     The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.

Isaiah 41:10      “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. 

 I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” 

1 Peter 5      ⁶ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, ⁷ casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Ephesians 3     ²⁰ Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, ²¹ to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Don’t give up on life, and don’t give up on God.  You are precious to Him, and He wants to spend eternity with you.  He sent Jesus to die for you, so give Him a chance to prove how He can take care of you.  God bless!