Q: If the Lord is such a God of love, then why does He allow pain and suffering to exist?

A: God is a loving Father; but He allows pain and suffering to exist for two reasons: (1) Man has a fallen and sinful nature (Rom. 7); and God uses trials and tribulations to come into people’s lives in order to discipline, purge, and purify their hearts from pride, impatience, apathy, and other natural vices (Heb. 12:4-11; Rom. 5:3-4). (2) Free will, the decision-making faculty that Adam and Eve used to bring about the fall of mankind. Free will (in its current and corrupt state) is to blame for all crimes, social ills, and evil (Gen. 3:6-7).