Many people have asked this question. Perhaps you have? It can cause us to wonder if there is any point in doing good, some express the belief that this is a circle of death and life, where our past deeds shape our present life.
Others, believe it is a punishment from God? Can this be true?
The Bible’s Answer
The Bible clearly emphasises that suffering is not a punishment from God. Often it can be a simple case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Please check the reference at Ecclesiastes 9: 11 “I have seen something further under the sun, that the swift do not always win the race, nor do the mighty win the battle, nor do the wise always have the food, nor do the intelligent always have the riches, nor do those with knowledge always have success, because time and unexpected events overtake them all.”
Another cause for suffering is Sin. Not the wrong acts we perform but rather the sin or imperfection we inherited from Adam and Eve our first parents. They chose to rebel against God, his sovereignty and ignore his guidance. Note the words of King David the Psalmist at Psalm 51:5 “Look! I was born guilty of error, And my mother conceived me in sin.”
In Christian times this inherited sin was acknowledged when the Apostle Paul said at Romans 7: 21 I find, then, this law in my case: When I wish to do what is right, what is bad is present with me.22 I really delight in the law of God according to the man I am within,23 but I see in my body another law warring against the law of my mind and leading me captive to sin’s law that is in my body.
Our sinful nature, that we inherited at birth contributes to both physical and mental flaws, disorders and traits which cause harm to others and ourselves.
The Solution
We have to acknowledge rebellion put us in a position where we are vulnerable, God did not create humankind to suffer, grow sick and old. He cared for humans, placing them in a perfect home and he is intent on restoring that home through his Kingdom where he through his Son Jesus Christ will end human suffering everywhere.
It is important to find out more, the reward is that we get to Enjoy Life on Earth Forever!
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Good News 
I believe that sin is the main reason for suffering.
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Thank you for your comment, sin is the root cause because it separates from God. This leaves us with an issue, if God is love how does the permission of suffering fit his plans for life because our suffering is killing this planet and all other life.
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