Suffering, Free Will, and the 200% Responsibility of Faith

Why God Allows It—And What We’re Missing

Let’s talk about suffering. Real, raw, unfiltered suffering.

Because if we’re being honest, people wrestle with this question all the time: “Why would a good God allow bad things to happen?”And I get it. It’s a valid question. But the problem is, we usually start from the wrong place—we start from our pain instead of God’s perspective.

Here’s the truth: God allows suffering because He allows free will. And you can’t have one without the other.

God Doesn’t Force Himself on Us

If God took away all suffering, He’d have to take away all choice. And if He took away our ability to choose, then we’re not human—we’re robots.

God doesn't want slaves. He wants sons and daughters. He gave us the gift of free will because He wants love returned, not just obedience demanded.

“This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses… Now choose life.” – Deuteronomy 30:19

So yes, people suffer. Not because God is cruel, but because people misuse freedom. Some suffering is out of your hands—death, loss, injustice. But a lot of it? It’s the result of bad decisions. Ours or someone else’s.

200% Responsibility: What I Learned at Training

I just came back from a training, and something clicked in my spirit: The speaker said there’s 100% accountability on both sides. The teacher is responsible for showing up and delivering excellence. But the learner? They’re also 100% responsible for engaging, asking, growing, and applying.

That’s 200%—not 50/50.

And that made me think…God shows up with His full 100%. Every single day. But are we showing up with ours?

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” – James 4:8

We can’t halfway this thing and expect full results.

My Own Journey Through Suffering

Look, I’ve lived some things. At 18, I was homeless. My dad tried to kill me twice. My mom and I didn’t have the best relationship. And that changes the way you see life.

That was a moment I didn’t choose, but it did change the course of my life. And from that point on, I had choices to make. Did I make all the right ones? No. Did I try to? Yes.

“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance…” – Romans 5:3-4

So many people see me now and think I’ve got it all together. Let me tell you something—I don’t. I’m often flying by the seat of my pants. The only difference? I don’t hold onto perfection anymore. I hold onto God.

And that’s what keeps me steady.

Accountability is a Weapon

This year, my word has been accountability. Because I’ve learned that transformation only happens when you look in the mirror and say: “Where did I go wrong? What could I have done better?”

Even if what happened to you wasn’t your fault, there’s still growth on your side.

“A man reaps what he sows.” – Galatians 6:7

“Search me, God, and know my heart…” – Psalm 139:23

That doesn’t mean blame yourself for everything. But it does mean you carry the torch. You keep the fire lit. You stay responsible for your part. That’s what maturity in Christ looks like.

What If We Loved Differently?

Let’s be real—so much of this brokenness in the world? It’s not because God isn’t showing up. It’s because we aren’t loving right.

“As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” – John 13:34

If humanity truly loved the way God tells us to:

• Poverty would disappear.

• Greed would lose its grip.

• Community would rise up.

• We’d actually see each other.

But we’re too busy trying to protect our own comfort, build our own platforms, and chase our own desires.

Final Thought: Shift the Lens

If you’re mad at God right now—if you’ve been questioning, “Why me?”—I want to lovingly challenge you to shift the lens.

Ask yourself: What am I refusing to take responsibility for? What truth have I ignored? What would change if I gave God my full 100%?

“And we know that in all things God works for the good…” – Romans 8:28“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:32

Suffering is real. But so is grace. And we serve a God who can take brokenness and make it beautiful—if we let Him.

So today, ask yourself: What can I do differently? And how can I meet God with 100% faith, 100% honesty, and 100% surrender?

Because that’s where the shift starts.