Throughout the Old Testament, we are given to understand that suffering can be the consequence of personal sin. God allows us to suffer, due to the choices we make; thus allowing us to experience joy and fulfillment. God will not force us to do anything, but will let us experience the consequences of our own actions. Suffering might be considered to be either God’s punishment or mercy. In effect, it both our fault and God’s that the innocent suffer. Job is a great icon of innocent suffering, Job’s friends tell him that his suffering is the result of his own sinfulness. However, the Scriptures teach us that Job was ‘blameless and upright’ and someone who ‘feared God and avoided evil.‘Job sees a similarity between suffering and redemption and hopes for salvation in the midst of suffering.
Suffering highlights the fact that we are mortal and encourages us to be more humble and devout. Suffering can also draw our attention to God. When we are in anguish it is natural to turn to a higher power for help from the ‘God of all comfort.’ (2 Corinthians 1:3.) When we suffer, it is a sober reminder of how terrible sin is. Suffering really helps us to appreciate our existence and to be more compassionate. Especially after intense suffering, one can develop a different outlook on life. Suffering sharpens our awareness that this Earth is not a permanent home, we cannot live forever, as 2 Corinthians 5:8 states that we shall never be ‘at home’ until we are with God. Suffering (or being, as Peter said ‘tested by fire’) therefore might be God's way of shaping or forming the soul in order to help prepare it for eternity.
There is a paradox involving ‘mighty’ God and the problem of suffering. Epicurus introduced the idea of an inconsistent triad, God cannot be omnipotent, benevolent and at the same time allow suffering to exist. So, regardless of how one interprets this paradox, God cannot be the God that one believes him to be. In order to understand it, perhaps one has question our own knowledge. As mere humans, with finite minds and experiences, we cannot give a definitive opinion on what is considered to be ‘good.’ Perhaps God's infinite wisdom can see beyond our inevitable human limitations and fallibilities. Atheists maintain that the problem of human suffering represents one of the more formidable arguments against the existence of an omnipotent God. God expressed his love (1 john 4:8) and granted mankind with free will ( Joshua 24:15.) Foolish choices can sometimes have devastating consequences. Hence, the responsibility for unwise choices is that of man and not God.
Anytime we are faced with needless suffering, whether spiritual, physical or psychological, we are faced with the contradiction: how can we believe in such a God, especially a God who allows the suffering of the innocent? The question assumes that God has done nothing, when in fact if God had immediately judged all of humanity and removed the evil rebellion that causes suffering today, we would not be alive. Hence, God is being merciful. Suffering is a powerful reminder that something is wrong with human creation and usually points people in the direction of Christ. God also promises a future without suffering and the chance for salvation. Some say that we cannot be responsible if we are "logged into" a programmed pattern, therefore it is up to us to shift our awareness. Over indulging in suffering without an effort to make the best of a "bad job"is a huge spiritual trap. It undermines our integrity and spiritual awareness. When bad things happen to good people, for instance, like Ghandi being shot in cold blood or Jesus being crucified. As they were not able to respond to those events, they were not responsible for them, morally or spiritually.
Many also believe that God can only be a spectator in our lives and that we need suffering to teach us about good and evil, but does our suffering have to be so manifold and extensive. Many cannot accept the cowardly theology that God is not responsible and is therefore indifferent, so they may find it difficult to believe in a God who cannot rule over the laws of nature. This is why many find it hard to accept that God cannot overrule a natural evil, as opposed to a moral evil that is under our control. God has however addressed the problem of evil, in that he let his son die for the evil of man. The sacrificial death of his son is perhaps God's way of setting man an example. In Isaiah it states that Jesus will ‘take away the sins of many and win pardon for their offenses.’
Suffering nurtures the noblest virtues of which mankind is capable. Courage is universally perceived by civilisations to be a prime trait of humanity and cowardice as reprehensible. According to the Atheistic world view, morality in general is the result of mindless chemical processes in our brains. The Christian view on right and wrong comes from Genesis. Atheists have to rely on Christian beliefs in order to make a distinction between good and evil. The argument that atheists use put forward that God does not exist because of all the evil in the world is founded on Biblical principles. Another solution could be that suffering is not a punishment, but a lesson. God may have reasons that we cannot even comprehend, for allowing the deaths of people. We could also resort to being disappointed in or disillusioned with God. There is a Jewish tradition of the most righteous people objecting to Gods decisions, For example, Abraham defending the people of Sodom. Thus, we may not have to agree with the divine decrees. One thing is certain ‘many who have passed through the crucible of suffering will acknowledge that they have found themselves infinitely better for the experience- bitter though it may have been’
The reason behind suffering is a widely controversial issue. Christians have many theories as to why god would allow suffering to exist, while Atheists will simply argue that suffering is caused by humans alone. Some Christians believe that suffering is part of God's plan for us. They believe that God sets suffering as an obstacle to overcome which if we have undergone, without losing faith, we are rewarded with eternal life. Luke states, 'blessed are those who weep now for you will laugh.' Therefore, those who suffer in life will be rewarded for their tribulations.
In my opinion, there is therefore no set answer to the complicated question whether we, as opposed to God, are responsible for our own suffering except to say that to some extent it depends on individual beliefs and teachings emanating from different religions established over the ages.