Why does God allow sickness?

When we're talking about sickness and suffering health, we need to realize that illnesses were not in God's original design (Genesis 1:27-31). When Adam and Eve used their free will to make the choice to sin in the Garden of Eden, decay was allowed to enter the picture (Genesis 3:14-20). The growth, life, and death of things are reminders that nothing is perfect without God. We must remember that God has everything in His hands and that we only see half of the veil of reality (Isaiah 55:9).

Just because it wasn't part of the original plan, that doesn't make it any easier discuss sickness with those who suffer. It's obviously a very touchy subject, and we need to be sensitive to the needs of others.

Sometimes sickness is a result of personal choices such as what we eat or do. Sometimes it's someone else's choice that gets us sick. Sometimes an illness occurs because it's simply passed down genetically. Sometimes accidents happen that result in sicknesses. It is possible that God will occasionally allow these things to happen in order to bring someone closer to Him. It's also possible that Satan and his demons could be causing it (Matthew 17:14-18; Luke 13:10-16).

God Makes All Things Good

No matter whether sickness is a natural result of a sinful world, our own mistakes, genetics, another's misconduct, or from the enemy, we can rest assured that God can transform any negative consequences into holiness. It may not always look the way we think it "should," but God is a master Creator with perfect timing. Nothing is beyond His power.

"We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." —Romans 5:3-5

The Story of Job's Suffering & Faith

Other times, sickness may be allowed as a testament for God's glory (Acts 28:7-10). Remember a man in the Bible by the name Job? He loved his Heavenly Father completely and without reservation. God sure allowed for a lot happen to him by Satan's hand—most of it would make us cringe and question God's goodness and righteousness (Job 1:6-12).

Satan took and took from Job—down to the man's physical health. Job's friends came and sat with him for a week in silence; they were so shocked at what had happened to him (Job 2:13). Then they questioned him, accused him of having secret sin, and told he should blame God, forsaking what he believed.

Though Job, being human, sometimes questioned why he had even been born, he never cursed God for what was happening (Job 1:22). When all of his friends had abandoned him, Job still found it in himself to trust God. In the end, God praised him and restored twice as much as what he had lost (Job 42:7-17).

If you know someone who's sick...

Be there for them. Encourage them. Comfort them. But remember that it is not necessarily appropriate for you to try to point out the reasons behind their illness. Job's friends were far from helpful with their so-called advice. You could be more damaging than helpful if you start pulling out the "everything happens for a reason" thing. Loving and caring for them and meeting whatever needs we can is what we are called to do—unless otherwise prompted by the Holy Spirit (James 5:15).

If you're the one who's sick...

We are so sorry you're in the midst of suffering. Reach out to loved ones, medical professionals, and mental health professionals if you need to. Hold onto hope, and please don't lose faith in God. You may never know why He is allowing this to happen to you, but you can be assured that there is a purpose (Psalm 119:67-77). God would not allow you to suffer for no reason. God is always good—even when He allows us to feel pain.

Death, the ultimate end of suffering, is also an act of God's pure goodness and mercy. I doubt anyone who got to Heaven because of an illness regrets the suffering they had to endure on earth.

Be comforted by the fact that there is a day coming when sickness will no longer be a problem for anyone. A day in which all will be returned back to its former glory as God had intended it.

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." —Revelation 21:4

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