If God is good, why does He let us suffer? It’s a question every believer faces at some point. In this episode of Native Exiles, we dive deep into the mystery of suffering and God’s role in it. Is pain a punishment, a test, or something more redemptive?

Throughout history, theologians have wrestled with this very question—debating whether suffering is part of God’s sovereign will, the result of human freedom, or a necessary path to spiritual growth. We’ll explore these perspectives and then turn to the practical side: how our understanding of suffering shapes how we pray, comfort others, and find hope in the hardest seasons of life. 

Native Exiles is a podcast from Alderwood Community Church, where we talk about following Jesus in the tension of being in the world but not of it. Check out our previous episode on Does Evil Disprove God’s Goodness? for more discussion on this topic.