“Why does God allow sickness?”……The issue of sickness is always a difficult one to deal with. …The key is remembering that God’s ways are higher than our ways Isaiah 55:9

9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.

When we are suffering with a sickness, disease, or injury, we usually focus solely on our own suffering. In the midst of a trial of sickness, it is very difficult to focus on what good God might bring about as a result.

Romans 8:28 reminds us that God can bring about good from any situation.

28 And we know that God causes everything to work together[a] for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Many people look back on times of sickness as times when they grew closer to God, learned to trust Him more, and/or learned how to truly value life. This is the perspective God has because He is sovereign and knows the end result.……This does not mean sickness is always from God or that God always inflicts us with sickness to teach us a spiritual lesson. In a world tainted by sin, sickness, disease, and death will always be with us. We are fallen beings, with physical bodies prone to disease and illness. Some sickness is simply a result of the natural course of things in this world. Sickness can also be the result of a demonic attack. The Bible describes several instances when physical suffering was caused by Satan and his demons

Matthew 17:14-18

14 At the foot of the mountain, a large crowd was waiting for them. A man came and knelt before Jesus and said, 15 "Lord, have mercy on my son. He has seizures and suffers terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. 16 So I brought him to your disciples, but they couldn't heal him."

17 Jesus said, "You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me." 18 Then Jesus rebuked the demon in the boy, and it left him. From that moment the boy was well.

Luke 13:10-16…10 One Sabbath day as Jesus was teaching in a synagogue, 11 he saw a woman who had been crippled by an evil spirit. She had been bent double for eighteen years and was unable to stand up straight. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, "Dear woman, you are healed of your sickness!" 13 Then he touched her, and instantly she could stand straight. How she praised God!

14 But the leader in charge of the synagogue was indignant that Jesus had healed her on the Sabbath day. "There are six days of the week for working," he said to the crowd. "Come on those days to be healed, not on the Sabbath."

15 But the Lord replied, "You hypocrites! Each of you works on the Sabbath day! Don't you untie your ox or your donkey from its stall on the Sabbath and lead it out for water? 16 This dear woman, a daughter of Abraham, has been held in bondage by Satan for eighteen years. Isn't it right that she be released, even on the Sabbath?"

So, some sickness is not from God, but from Satan. Even in these instances, God is still in control. God sometimes allows sin and/or Satan to cause physical suffering. Even when sickness is not directly from God, He will still use it according to His perfect will.……It is undeniable, though, that God sometimes intentionally allows, or even causes sickness to accomplish His sovereign purposes. While sickness is not directly addressed in the passage,describes God disciplining us to “produce a harvest of righteousness” (verse 11)

Hebrews 12:5-11

(verse 11).

5 And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children?[a] He said,"My child,[] don't make light of the Lord's discipline,… and don't give up when he corrects you.…6 For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child."[c]7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? 8 If God doesn't discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. 9 Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn't we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?[d]

10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God's discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. 11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening-it's painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

Sickness can be a means of God’s loving discipline. It is difficult for us to comprehend why God would work in this manner. But, believing in the sovereignty of God, there is no other option than suffering being something God allows and/or causes.…The clearest example of this in Scripture is found is Psalm 119. Notice the progression through verses 67, 71, and 75 –

Psalm 119: 67-75

67 I used to wander off until you disciplined me;… but now I closely follow your word.…68 You are good and do only good;… teach me your decrees.…69 Arrogant people smear me with lies,… but in truth I obey your commandments with all my heart.…70 Their hearts are dull and stupid,… but I delight in your instructions.…71 My suffering was good for me,… for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees.…72 Your instructions are more valuable to me… than millions in gold and silver.

Yodh…73 You made me; you created me.… Now give me the sense to follow your commands.…74 May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy,… for I have put my hope in your word.…75 I know, O Lord, that your regulations are fair;… you disciplined me because I needed it.

The author of Psalm 119 was looking at suffering from God’s perspective. It was good for him to be afflicted. It was faithfulness that caused God to afflict him.

The result of the affliction was so that he could learn God’s decrees and obey His Word.……Again, sickness and suffering is never an easy thing to deal with. One thing is for sure, sickness should not cause us to lose faith in God. God is good, even when we are suffering.

Even the ultimate of suffering-death-is an act of God’s goodness. It is hard to imagine that anyone who is in Heaven as a result of sickness or suffering regrets what they went through in this life.……One final note

When people are suffering, it is our responsibility to minister to them, care for them, pray for them, and comfort them.

When a person is suffering, it is not always appropriate to emphasize that God will bring good out of the suffering.

Yes, that is the truth. However, in the midst of suffering, it is not always the best time to share that truth. Suffering people need our love and encouragement, not necessarily a reminder of sound biblical theology.…A testimony on suffering:…Thank you so much for whoever answered this question, why does God allow sickness. It was very interesting. It is something that all people wonder why. In my case, my husband suffered with a very rare type of brain cancer and is now with the Lord. He passed away on April 17, and was a true blessing to many people. Through his illness, his sister was released from her captivity in a cult, and truly now knows the Lord. Even though I was saved, I have a much better understanding of what it means to trust and live a righteous life. It is truly amazing how the Lord uses an illness, or even a death of a loved one. Thank you so much for all the people who answer these questions. It is a true blessing for many people.