DCRobertsson

“Through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned.” (Romans 5:12)

We don’t have to look far to see that something is deeply wrong with the world. Wars rage. Families fracture. Diseases steal health and life. Even the beauty of creation is marred by hurricanes, droughts, and decay. Our hearts instinctively know this is not how it was meant to be.

Scripture explains why. In the beginning, God made everything “very good” (Genesis 1:31). But when Adam and Eve chose to trust their own way instead of God’s, sin entered the human story. That single act of rebellion didn’t just affect them—it infected everything. Death entered, not only as physical death, but as a separation from God’s life-giving presence. All creation began groaning under the weight of this fall (Romans 8:22).

This is why suffering exists. It’s not random. It’s the result of a world where sin has corrupted what God made good. Some pain comes directly from human choices—our own or others’. Some comes from living in a creation that no longer functions as God originally designed. And some comes because there is an enemy who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10).

But here’s the hope: God didn’t leave us in this brokenness. The moment sin entered, God began unfolding His plan to restore. The cross of Jesus is proof that He is not indifferent to our pain. In Christ, He took on the full consequence of sin—absorbing its curse so He could break its ultimate power.

Understanding why the world hurts won’t remove the pain, but it will help us see that God is not the author of evil. His holiness cannot produce impurity, and His goodness cannot delight in our suffering. Instead, He is redeeming a world that has gone wrong, and one day He will make all things new.

Cross-References

• Genesis 3:16–19 – The curse on creation after the fall.
• Romans 8:20–21 – Creation subjected to futility, but with hope.
• Revelation 21:4 – God will wipe away every tear.

Questions for Reflection

• How does understanding the origin of suffering help you trust God in it?
• In what ways do you see the effects of the fall in your own life or surroundings?
• How does the promise of God’s future restoration give you strength today?

Prayer Prompt

Lord, thank You that You are not the cause of evil or suffering. Help me to see the brokenness of this world in light of Your redemption plan, and keep my eyes fixed on the day You will make all things new.

This devotional is adapted from An Uninvited Visitor: The Suffering We All Face and God’s Grace In It by D.C. Robertsson. Available on Amazon: amazon.com/dp/B0FMPKM7ZF