If God exists why does He allow suffering?

[Vouthon]

As Epicurus is said to have said, what suffering shows is that EITHER that God is not benevolent OR that God is not omnipotent ─ or, of course, both.

Arguably, the Gnostics came up with an innovative - if rather "*out-there*" and weird - solution to this problem of suffering that @adrian009 poses.

I actually think it was reflection on this issue that was one of the main reasons for the emergence of Gnosticism and its controversial theology, in the first place

They circumvented your binary division here (bad God vs not all powerful God) by suggesting that the "first principle", the transcendent ground and cause of being Itself (the Forefather, or "Bythus" (Depth)) was not the creator-god of our universe.

For them, the god of this world was only a lesser, emanated and intermediary being: either evil in nature or simply ignorant of the Supreme Reality, who crafted an imperfect world that only dimly reflected the "pleroma" (the divine fullness which is true reality).

In the Valentinian Christian version of this Gnosis myth, they even adopted a monistic / idealist approach, contending that the material world with its deficiencies and suffering was an illusion dissolved by knowledge (gnosis) of God. They compared it to waking up out of a dream or seeing clearly once a fog cleared.

Suffering was tied to ignorance of the true nature of reality, which is that we are all in the "Totality", the fullness of the Father and not distinct from Him.

When a gnostic attained this liberating knowledge, the world of multiplicity and dualisms - good and evil, pain and pleasure - under its ignorant ruling Deity, would be understood as an illusion hiding the fundamental 'complementarity' of opposites in a fundamental wholeness: "Light and darkness, life and death, right and left are mutually dependent; it is impossible for them to separate. Accordingly the 'good' are not good, the 'bad' are not bad, 'life' is not life, 'death' is not death." (Gospel of Philip 53:14-23).

As St. Irenaeus stated in relation to the "heresy" of the Valentinian Christians:

"Since deficiency and suffering had their origin in ignorance, the entire system originating in ignorance is dissolved by knowledge (gnosis)" (St. Irenaeus [180 CE] Against Heresies 1:21:4 cf. also Irenaeus Against Heresies 2:4:3).

Thus, they were able to explain the existence of suffering - which they termed "deficiency" or "lack of knowledge" - without attributing it to the supreme "God" and making him evil, but rather viewing it as stemming from ignorance of the really Real on the part of humans and lesser divine beings like the Demiurge who rules the illusive world of matter. This also takes away the argument that God is not "all-powerful" (He is in this theology, the ignorance arises in us and we need to overcome it through knowledge of God).

So in this creation myth, the god worshipped as world creator is an ignorant being - a blind guide of the blind under him - who is either unaware of, or lying about, the true God who is Being Itself.

Human beings in this theology were encouraged to liberate themselves from both him and his creation/illusion, by realizing the divine spark within themselves and thus overcoming the deficiency/suffering caused by ignorance of Truth.

 

[darkskies]

We are all born and will all die. Most of us will experience loss, pain and suffering to some degree in this life. Many of us will experience ill health and the loss of someone we love and care deeply about. These are all facts of life.

Perhaps a better question is “Does any of this prove or disprove the existence of God?” I don’t see that it does. God could of course be invisible and completely unconcerned about any of us humans. He may not intervene or be powerless to do so. If God is a Creator God, who care about His Creation and has the power to intervene then what does suffering say about the nature of God’s design? Clearly suffering exists and its existence permeates our lives. Can a loving and caring God who intervenes with Creation stand by and let innocents suffer and die?

I think it disproves a god who cares about all humans equally.

 

[firedragon]

I was working amidst a rural community and was invited to dinner with one of my workmates and her husband. My colleague has just been diagnosed with cancer for the second time in her life. Its a tough time for her but she’s dealing with it really well. She had grown up Christian but in her twenties several people she knew died in short succession. This led her to conclude there was no God. “Why would God allow such suffering?” She feels as if she’s coping just fine now without believing in God and she certainly appears to be.

She asked me as a declared theist “If there is a God, why would He allow such suffering?” As an invited guest of a colleague with cancer I felt it best to empathise with her perspective and listen without offering a theistic view.

The belief that suffering rules out the existence of God is something I’ve heard from atheists and agnostics before. Although I’ve suffered in life from time to time, its never led me to question God’s existence. In fact I’ve just had a really tough month or so for which I’m grateful. Admittedly I’m not wrestling with a cancer diagnosis or the loss of a loved one.

So I’m curious as to how others view suffering and whether it affects their beliefs about God positively or negatively. If a Creator God exists why didn’t He do a better job of designing the universe? If we suffer, shouldn’t we see it as an opportunity to develop and attain new insights and strength?

I’ve put this in the general debates section to allow freedom of expression. I’m wanting to better understand why this is such a critical issue for so many people rather than debate. Thanks in advance for those who drop by to offer their sincere thoughts about how suffering affects their faith.

Honestly, anecdotally, most of the people who call themselves atheists or agnostics who bring this topic up are just bringing it up to debate. I think its obvious because God or the existence of God is no more a "critical issue" as you put it for them. But there some who became agnostic or atheistic because they went through this question and could not find a solution. They use this as a debate tactic for a long long time, but they left the theology because this suffering could not be reconciled with the existence of an all knowing God. Them I actually find honestly bringing it up.

Anyway, you will not find a proper response to this other than apologetics. Theodicy has been a topic for way too long but none of those are like revelation, they are apologetics.

The issue with me is suffering does not affect my beliefs about God. It makes me question nonsense in theology. I dont know if that makes any sense to you. The conviction there is a God to me comes from very different deductions so that is established and well grounded. Its unshakable. Theodicy brings about questions about various things, but not the existence of God. Maybe about what some scripture tries to state in it, and if it makes any sense, or if some latter persons exegesis of a part of a scripture is valid or not.

 

[blü 2]

Can a loving and caring God who intervenes with Creation stand by and let innocents suffer and die?

That was Epicurus's starting point, of course.

And Aquinas's too, but his 'free will' explanation is simply a rationalizing, albeit a famous one.

I don't think Epicurus or Aquinas or hard-eyed reason matter at such times. The question is, what helps to deal with the grief. If faith can do that, I suspect the question answers itself.

 

[Hermit Philosopher]

Dear adrian009,

May I first say that I very much like how you write, I think you are very good at this. I believe it to be one of your gifts and it gladdens me that you utilise it to expand understandings of this nature.

.../ So I’m curious as to how others view suffering and whether it affects their beliefs about God positively or negatively. /.../ I’m wanting to better understand why this is such a critical issue for so many people rather than debate.

There are of course very many different reasons for the sufferings of Man and what makes one suffer greatly, may to another seem quite bearable.

Yet, the emotion of suffering in itself is perhaps more universal. It makes one ask why...? Why me, why now, to what good, etc. “Why have thou forsaken [me]?” asked Christ on the cross. I think that, is a very common question in the midst of suffering. As is, perhaps, questioning oneself, one’s beliefs, priorities and choices in general.

I like that you mention trying to see one’s own suffering as an opportunity to develop and attain new insights and strength, but we also know that this is something one seldom can do until later, when one’s suffering begins to ease somewhat.

This is why trust - and faith, if one has it - plays such a role in enduring one’s own suffering. Before we are able to step out from the pain and get enough perspective to at all think about insights and strengths, an Atheist who trusts in his own capacity to do this eventually, will better endure his hardship. As will an Agnostic who simply trusts in Life in general, or a believer who manages to keep his faith in a Divine.

Some say that suffering is a test and many hate that suggestion. As if only those in the “wrong” somehow, would be tested. I say that if you choose it, all of Life can be a test; a personal test. And there’d be nothing “degrading” about that, in my view.

One thing is certain: if you breathe, you will suffer - one way or another. But you will also enjoy... and laugh... and love. And you will learn many things. What you make of what you learn ...where it takes you; that is only up to you.

Humbly
Hermit

 

[Dave Watchman]

With « we », do you mean the 2 years old kid who died of bone cancer, or her parents? The 30,000 kids who will die today, or their parents?

i ask because the young victim who suffered horribly and died, without the slightest chance to develop anything, is usually forgotten. And we just concentrate on the parents who have an opportunity to develop and attain new strengths.

much too easy. Of course the problem of evil does not provide evidence against God. It provides evidence against a benevolent God, since much of this suffering looks really pointless.

It really does sound so sad.

He told us trouble would be baked in the cake.

"In this life you will have tribulation.​

God works in a different ballpark than us.

"The LORD is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.' - Numbers 14:18​

I don't even know who my grandparents were four generations ago.

God allowed Satan to test Job.

“Blessed be the name of the Lord.” Satan returns to God and complains that as long as Job remains physically unharmed the test isn't valid: “But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.” God gives Satan permission, and soon Job is covered with boils from head to toe.​

Satan asked Jesus if he could sift Peter like sand through a tribulum.

"Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers. - Luke 22:31-32​

I agree with what cOULTER says here:

Part of our suffering is a consequence of Lucifers rebellion against God.

It's like the Joni Mitchel song "we are caught up in the Devil's bargain."

If God exists why does He allow suffering?

You could also ask, why did God allow a very intelligent and evil serpent in the Garden to tempt poor Eve?

I think that it's not all about us, it's not just about humanity.

God has been demonstrating something here to the angelic community for the past 6000 years, which appears to be coming to a close.

There will be a percentage of that angelic community which at some point are due to be annihilated.

These individuals were known to them for a long time before man was on the Earth.

It's not all about us, we are just a part of it.

We are billion year old carbon, caught up in the Devil's bargain.

And we've got to get ourselves back to the Garden.

Peaceful Sabbath.

 

[Yahcubs777]

We are all born and will all die. Most of us will experience loss, pain and suffering to some degree in this life. Many of us will experience ill health and the loss of someone we love and care deeply about. These are all facts of life.

Perhaps a better question is “Does any of this prove or disprove the existence of God?” I don’t see that it does. God could of course be invisible and completely unconcerned about any of us humans. He may not intervene or be powerless to do so. If God is a Creator God, who care about His Creation and has the power to intervene then what does suffering say about the nature of God’s design? Clearly suffering exists and its existence permeates our lives. Can a loving and caring God who intervenes with Creation stand by and let innocents suffer and die?

HE didn't stand by and watch it happen without giving Man a way out. Thus, HE sent HIS Word. To understand this better, look at Noah. HE sent Noah to couple an Ark to save the people from the end of the world; the flood that will wash everything away. Yet, no man entered the ARK except his family. Even Animals were guided into the ARK by the GOD showing how stiff necked the people were. So will we now say that GOD just let everyone die?

They were given a savior, and they rejected their savior.

 

[Yahcubs777]

If God exists why does He allow suffering?

You could also ask, why did God allow a very intelligent and evil serpent in the Garden to tempt poor Eve?

I think that it's not all about us, it's not just about humanity.

God has been demonstrating something here to the angelic community for the past 6000 years, which appears to be coming to a close.

There will be a percentage of that angelic community which at some point are due to be annihilated.

These individuals were known to them for a long time before man was on the Earth.

It's not all about us, we are just a part of it.

We are billion year old carbon, caught up in the Devil's bargain.

And we've got to get ourselves back to the Garden.

Peaceful Sabbath.

The Seraph was let in because their impure homind status had to be made manifest to sieve them out of heaven. Mother Eve was not the one deceived, it was the Serpent who was deceived. Mother Eve is the eve of the destruction of Lucifer and Cohorts. For instance, they wanted to discover what is the secret of their strength, especially Father Adam's Strength, and how they can bring them down. Therefore, they wouldn't want man multiplying in number. Yet, it was the fall of man that kick started procreation. So the Serpent was deceived (The sieved) in that matter.

 

[Evangelicalhumanist]

I can answer all questions.

1. The foundation of this earth was set when man fell. That fall is not disobedience, but the migration of their physical body from celestial to terrestrial, from immortal to mortal. Thus, the earth was affected the same way because the raw materials that coupled his body was taken from the earth. It was when Man fell, that the terrestrial system; the self destruct system was set, and authorised to operate. The reason is because the very foundation that was set must be set to accomodate mortals in the earth. That is why there has to be a link between the body and the earth else the fruits and animals in this earth could not be eaten to sustain man. This earth has a name and it is the "procreation arena", and mortality was required for procreation. The system; the terrestrial of the earth was required for mortals to sustain their life.

2. GOD sent us Prophets to feed us with HIS Word that when we meditate in HIS Word; which has Genetic Spiritual properties and contents; it hatches HIS gene in the body to take the body from mortality back to immortality which is crossing from one world to another.

3. Evil came from the Abyss, which GOD allowed so that darkness can be defined, for Light to also be defined. Else, how can one know what Light is without darkness? The Abyss was authorised to operate at the fall of man.

4. Before all of Creation HE is GOD. Before HE is Father, HE is GOD. HE is GOD because HE has no ending and no beginning.

And finally, anyone that needs to ask these questions is not a child of the kingdom.

From my point of view (as an atheist), this is all purest fantasy.

The first fantastical bit is the very idea that, for some reason, an existing celestial being somehow has a requirement to become terrestrial -- and not only that, but that it then becomes necessary to create a terrestrial habitat (and a bizarrely wasteful universe surrounding it) for that being to occupy.

The second fantastical bit is the notion of "Prophets" sent to give everybody else God's word, It is a known fact (and therefore God would know it, if there were a God) that such messages, delivered over and over again down the chain of listeners, become garbled. All religions have suffered this, and they have all resulted in schisms and multiple denominations and sects as a result. This is a fantastically silly way for an omniscient being to "get the word out."

If there were neither light nor dark (don't forget, God is supposed to have created light after creating the heavens and earth), then there was no "abyss." And evil is not a "thing"' that pops up out of an abyss, or any other place. Evil is and must always be subjective. What is evil is that which is experienced as evil.

And setting yourself apart from (and presumably above) others by claiming that they are "not of the kingdom" is hubris and not very nice.

 

[Evangelicalhumanist]

HE didn't stand by and watch it happen without giving Man a way out. Thus, HE sent HIS Word. To understand this better, look at Noah. HE sent Noah to couple an Ark to save the people from the end of the world; the flood that will wash everything away. Yet, no man entered the ARK except his family. Even Animals were guided into the ARK by the GOD showing how stiff necked the people were. So will we now say that GOD just let everyone die?

They were given a savior, and they rejected their savior.

Apparently you haven't read your Bible very well. The ark was not meant for any people other than Noah and his family, and they would not have been permitted on board. Gen 6:13 'So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth."'

 

[viole]

us.

"The LORD is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.' - Numbers 14:18

The daughter of Heinrich Himmel, one of the worst criminals in history, seems to have been done pretty fine and died pretty old. Just to make an example. Maybe killing people by the millions is not a sin, or not comparable to having gay sex, Heaven forbid, since God Himself also was into genocide. In several occasions. Who can say?

and what does it mean « third and fourth »? Is it three or four? I would expect a little bit more precision from a God, especially for something so important. Looks like He is buying oranges here: « give me please three or four of them ».

and what about the sins of Adam and Eve? I suspect they are somewhat older than the fourth generation.

ciao

- viole

 

[Yahcubs777]

From my point of view (as an atheist), this is all purest fantasy.

The first fantastical bit is the very idea that, for some reason, an existing celestial being somehow has a requirement to become terrestrial -- and not only that, but that in then becomes necessary to create a terrestrial habitat (and a bizarrely wasteful universe surrounding it) for that being to occupy.

The second fantastical bit is the notion of "Prophets" sent to give everybody else God's word, It is a known fact (and therefore God would know it, if there were a God) that such messages, delivered over and over again down the chain of listeners, become garbled. All religions have suffered this, and they have all resulted in schisms and multiple denominations and sects as a result. This is a fantastically silly way for an omniscient being to "get the word out."

If there were neither light nor dark (don't forget, God is supposed to have created light after creating the heavens and earth), then there was no "abyss." And evil is not a "thing"' that pops up out of an abyss, or any other place. Evil is and must always be subjective. What is evil is that which is experienced as evil.

And setting yourself apart from (and presumably above) others by claiming that they are "not of the kingdom" is hubris and not very nice.

I really shouldn't share revelations with those that do not deserve it. So i will answer everything short..

1. The reason for the fall of Man was to procreate.
2. When HE said: let there be light, HE was revealingt that HIS Word is Light. And that is not just something to be believed, but that HIS Word contains Life.
3. Prophets do not teach from the bible. It doesn't matter how many times people translate what Prophets have said, GOD reserved the best to come and restore all things. Put simply, find me a place in the Words of Jesus His Pre-Eminence where HE said: Seek your bible? HE said Seek the kingdom; the two are not the same. Therefore, Prophets that are sent, are sent with the messages of the kingdom, and do not a bible to read from to teach the people. What bible did Noah use? Enoch? Prophets wrote the bible.
4. I do not mince words. When you know by Revelation who GOD is, how HE operates, and even where you came from, that kind of questioning exposes the person.
5. The Abyss is any place where GOD has removed HIS Presence from entirely. Experiencing evil is only possible if there is evil that exists. Cain was from the abyss. His Spirit was shot out by the abyss. While Abel was sent by GOD. Look at what happened there.

 

[Yahcubs777]

Apparently you haven't read your Bible very well. The ark was not meant for any people other than Noah and his family, and they would not have been permitted on board. Gen 6:13 'So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth."'

The ARK was meant for all the children of the kingdom. Think GOD cares about Animals more than Man? If that were true, why does Jesus His Pre-Eminence say: As it was in the days of Noah, so also shall the coming of the Son of man be if we are not supposed to expect his coming, only the animals should be saved right?

Noah preached a message, and it was a certain message that chased everyone away. That message was that Animals will enter the ARK. So they all left him and only his family was saved. So the GOD used the Animals to define Man in his mortal body to adumbrate salvation at the end of this terrestrial world.

 

[Dave Watchman]

The Seraph was let in because their impure homind status had to be made manifest to sieve them out of heaven. Mother Eve was not the one deceived, it was the Serpent who was deceived. Mother Eve is the eve of the destruction of Lucifer and Cohorts. For instance, they wanted to discover what is the secret of their strength, especially Father Adam's Strength, and how they can bring them down. Therefore, they wouldn't want man multiplying in number. Yet, it was the fall of man that kick started procreation. So the Serpent was deceived (The sieved) in that matter.

Interesting.

We are not yet higher than the angels.

Yet at present we do not see everything subject to us.

"You made them a little a lower than the angels;
you crowned them with glory and honor
and put everything under their feet.”

"In putting everything under them, God left nothing that is not subject to them. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them. But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
​

Peaceful Sabbath.

 

[Yahcubs777]

Interesting.

We are not yet higher than the angels.

Yet at present we do not see everything subject to us.

"You made them a little a lower than the angels;
you crowned them with glory and honor
and put everything under their feet.”

"In putting everything under them, God left nothing that is not subject to them. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them. But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
​

Peaceful Sabbath.

Respectively, Man in his perfect state is the highest in Heirarchy in heaven. As mortals we are lower than angels because our body can die.

Secondly, a Seraph is not an Angel. A Seraph is feminine counterpart to the Cherub. A cherub is also not an angel. An Angel has 2 wings, Serpahim and Cherubim have 6. Man can fly without wings in his perfect state.

The Heirarchy is as follows.

GOD is the head of Adam
Adam is the head of Man
Man is the head of the woman
The Woman is the head of the Cherubim
The Cherubim is the head of the Serpahim
The Seraphim is the head of Arch Angels
The Arch Angels which are 4, are the heads of the Angels.

A Cherub and a Seraph cannot enter this earth. An Angel can and they rendered into human form on entrance.

 

[joe1776]

....
“Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent.
Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent.
Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil?
Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?....

”
Epicurus left out an option. Perhaps an omnipotent God intended life as a moral learning process for our species. If that was the case, asking "Why does God permit suffering?" would be like asking "Why don't teachers give us the answers on tests?" Suffering is our challenge.

My answer would lead to the conclusion that the purpose of human life, beyond survival, is to make moral progress both individually and as a species. As a species, our task is to reduce the suffering in this world.

Then comes the question "Is our species making moral progress? And the answer is "Yes." We humans are treating each other, and the other animals, better today than at any time in the distant past.

 

[ChristineM]

Why do you believe life as we know it proves can be neither Omniscient or Omnipotent?

I have never seen any evidence to prove omni whatever. On the contrary i see much that shows such power/understanding cannot exist.

Example, omnipotent, unlimited power, power requires energy, unlimited power requires infinite energy. Given the first law of thermodynamics and the fact that you and i exist there is nothing with all the (infinite) energy.

 

[Dave Watchman]

The daughter of Heinrich Himmel, one of the worst criminals in history, seems to have been done pretty fine and died pretty old. Just to make an example. Maybe killing people by the millions is not a sin, or not comparable to having gay sex, Heaven forbid, since God Himself also was into genocide. In several occasions. Who can say?

I don't know, it's beyond my pay grade.

Maybe the third generation ran out on Heinrich Himmel's daughter.

Maybe God knew her, and loved her, while she was still in uterus.

Rebekah’s children were conceived at the same time by our father Isaac. Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: not by works but by him who calls—she was told,:

“The older will serve the younger.” Just as it is written, (while still in the womb and not having done anything right or wrong):

“Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”​

What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! For he says to Moses,

“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,
and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”​

and what does it mean « third and fourth »? Is it three or four? I would expect a little bit more precision from a God, especially for something so important. Looks like He is buying oranges here: « give me please three or four of them ».

Again, this is in God's Domain.

I'm sure none of His Apples are going to slip through His righteous right hand.

'Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' - Isaiah 41:10​

and what about the sins of Adam and Eve? I suspect they are somewhat older than the fourth generation.

Yes, but they were the ones where it started from.

Because of YOU the earth is cursed.

"To Adam he said, "Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, 'You must not eat from it,' "Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. - Genesis 3:17​

We are living the curse Viole.

Like Joni said, "caught up in the Devil's bargain.

Chow Mein.

- Dave

And Peaceful Sabbath.

 

[Evangelicalhumanist]

I really shouldn't share revelations with those that do not deserve it.

How god-like of you to know what I "deserve..."

 

[stvdv]

For @adrian009 ONLY:

Below are my experiences, no claims, just personal opinions

She had grown up Christian but in her twenties several people she knew died in short succession.
This led her to conclude there was no God. “Why would God allow such suffering?”
She asked me as a declared theist “If there is a God, why would He allow such suffering?”
As an invited guest of a colleague with cancer I felt it best to empathise with her perspective and listen without offering a theistic view

Good point, I usually do the same, if I meet people who are suffering, I rather refrain from sharing my experiences

I’ve put this in the general debates section to allow freedom of expression.
Thanks in advance for those who drop by to offer their sincere thoughts about how suffering affects their faith

Like I said above, I rather refrain sharing, because others who suffer, like you described, might read what I write and get upset
But, as you asked us specifically to offer our sincere thoughts, I decided that I address this ONLY to you, @adrian009.

The belief that suffering rules out the existence of God is something I’ve heard from atheists and agnostics before.

Sounds very unscientific and illogical to me, such a belief, but that's the good part of belief, all can choose how to believe.

Although I’ve suffered in life from time to time, its never led me to question God’s existence.
In fact I’ve just had a really tough month or so for which I’m grateful
Admittedly I’m not wrestling with a cancer diagnosis or the loss of a loved one.

I have been sickish most of my life, even at young age. And I had quite serious troubles too.
I think I never questioned God's existence. When young, I just did not know if God existed or not, and left it at that

When I was in the Ashram of Sai Baba, I got very sick for 2 month or more and had to vomit and had diarrhea almost 24/7. My weight went down from 67kg to ca. 49 kg (height 6feet 3inches). One day I said "Okay God, I don't know if God exists, but doctors told me, that I am about to die and the doctor said (if I remember correctly) that God is my only hope left, so if that is not Your Plan, then You better do something now; I'm fine dying now by the way, because that would be a relieve".
Next morning I was cured. I should have asked for 20 kg, but I did not think of that; too sick to think properly. After that I also never questioned God's existence and never got my weight back.

So I’m curious as to how others view suffering and whether it affects their beliefs about God positively or negatively.

The more I suffer, the more I pray to Sai Baba, and the more I get cured, and the more I enjoy Sai Baba/God

If a Creator God exists why didn’t He do a better job of designing the universe?

The Universe is marvellously designed, even though I am sick much of the time; my karma ... I better don't create more "sick karma"

If we suffer, shouldn’t we see it as an opportunity to develop and attain new insights and strength?

That is what I do. I get lots of insights and even mental/emotional/spiritual strength, physical not so much, just enough to lay in bed most of the day
One day Sai Baba came in my dream, and asked me "what is wrong that you have to lay in bed all day ... you can think of God 24/7"

So, I guess it all depends of one's POV. Think positive or think negative. I enjoy thinking positive more than thinking negative, hence my choice