When Jesus’ disciples asked why the man He healed was born blind, He replied, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him" (Jn 9:3). God allows even those He loves to suffer, because suffering ultimately reveals to us God’s sovereign power. Through suffering, we come to realize our limitations and learn to turn instead to Him. Thus, God allows suffering for our own good, so that in the end, "the genuineness of [our] faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Pet 1:7).

We come to doubt in God when we try to fit Him into our view of what is right. To our eyes, focused on the present and visible, the wicked may seem to prosper. But we fail to realize the spiritual reality that those who do not have God live in darkness and nakedness, even though they may materially prosper. We also forget that the things of this life are only temporary—that we cannot see the full consequences of eternity today.