Why We Question God’s Goodness – Understanding Doubt in Difficult Times
Why did my friend have to die when all his friends and family were praying earnestly for him? How could my husband give up on us like that after everything we’ve been through? When we face pain, suffering, or loss, it can raise all sorts of questions. Or perhaps you’ve received some incredibly bad news that made you question God. With all of life’s hardships, it is easy to see why we question God’s goodness.
The Root of Our Doubt: Pain, Suffering, Loss, or Bad News
Humans doubt for many reasons, but most cases seem to occur when pain, suffering, loss, or bad news come calling. Whether that comes in the form of a battle with depression, anxiety, trauma, or other brain health challenges, pain can present challenges for trusting in God’s plan.
Biblical Example: Job was a righteous man who lost everything—his health, family, and wealth. He questioned God but ultimately found that God was still in control (Job 1-42).
Common Questions:
“Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?”
“How can a good God allow such suffering in the world?”
Unanswered Prayers or Unmet Expectations
Unmet expectations and unanswered prayers are among the top things that cause Christians to doubt God’s goodness. Maybe you have been there…You prayed and prayed and prayed for God to heal a loved one, but they died anyway. You worked hard to climb the corporate ladder, and when your big chance presented itself, you jumped at it only to be let down. You and your spouse save money with the hopes of adopting, but your dreams are crushed.
We all have expectations of how things should go and what we expect from God. So, what happens when things go in a different direction? What happens when things don’t work out like you think they should?
You had everything planned out, but were passed up for the big promotion. You’ve longed to marry someday, but you are still single. Most of us have experienced moments when our expectations don’t match God’s will. How do we continue believing in God’s goodness when things don’t add up?
Biblical Example: Paul prayed for his “thorn in the flesh” to be removed, but God’s answer was, “My grace is sufficient for you” (2 Corinthians 12:7-9).
Common Questions:
“If God were good, wouldn’t He fix this?”
“How can I believe in a God who allows this kind of suffering in the world?”
God’s Goodness & The Lies of the Enemy
A primary tactic of the enemy is to make us doubt God’s goodness. From the beginning, in the Garden of Eden, Satan tempted Eve by questioning God’s intentions: “Did God really say…?” (Genesis 3:1).
Biblical Example: When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, Satan tried to make Him doubt God’s provision and power (Matthew 4:1-11).
Healing and Trusting God in the Unknown
Faith is not the absence of doubt but the choice to trust God even if he doesn’t answer our prayers as we expect. Whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, healing often comes through surrender. I don’t know about you, but choosing surrender is the last thing I want to do after experiencing trauma. I have found that surrender is a choice to believe in God’s goodness over the unknown.
As you can see, there are many reasons why people question God’s goodness. It is easy to see why someone who lost a friend might begin to ask questions while grieving the loss. A sudden job loss or a health scare can cause a faith-filled believer to doubt God’s goodness. So, what can we do in these moments to strengthen our faith?
Here are four effective strategies to reinforce our faith, aiding us in navigating life’s ups and downs.
Ways to Strengthen Your Faith:
Cling to Scripture – Memorize verses that declare God’s goodness
(Psalm 34:8, Romans 8:38-39).Be Honest in Prayer – God welcomes our raw emotions
(Psalm 13, Lamentations 3:22-23).Seek Christian Community – Surround yourself with believers who can encourage you
(Check out the Overflow Community).Practice Gratitude – Finding small blessings can help shift our focus even when suffering.
It’s easy to question God’s goodness when our lives are turned upside down. Even Jesus’ disciples doubted. The very people who saw Jesus perform miracles found reason to ask questions. When our world is shaken, we must look to the cross to see the ultimate proof of God’s goodness: Jesus suffered for us so that we could have eternal life (John 3:16).
Doubting God’s goodness is a normal part of our faith journey, especially when facing brain health challenges. The Bible does not shy away from these struggles but invites us to bring them to God. Even in our darkest moments, He remains good.
If you are struggling today, take heart—God is still with you, even when you can’t feel it. Keep seeking Him, asking your questions, and know His love for you is unwavering.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Thanks Craig for the reminder. Definitely experiencing a difficult season in my life but I’m choosing to trust God even when it’s hard.