Any ideas why suffering and pain exists? Of course the first in the list of answers is because of sin. Things really got messed up when that perfect man in that perfect enviornment with the perfect relationship with the perfect woman and Creator chose to do do things his way. So, sin affects man's nature, enviornment and relationships.

Some of our pain comes from our own sinful actions. If I see something that is not mine and I take it, I may get caught and have to suffer the consequences. If I give in to my desire to smoke, I may suffer the consequences. These consequences may not appear tomorrow but they will appear.

Some of our pain comes from the brokenness we were born with. If my parents used and abused alcohol and/or drugs, I may suffer from a weakness for these things.

Some of our pain comes from the actions of others. Notice the types of suffering Job experienced. He suffered from the Sabean and Chaldean raids. Paul suffered at Lystra because he admitted he was not Hermes.

Some of our pain comes from the brokenness of nature. The earthquakes or hurricanes cause immeasurable suffering. The creation groans and is "in bondage to decay."

Some of our pain comes for the glory of God. John tells the story of the man born blind. The cause was not his sin or that of his parents but for the glory of God.

Some of our pain comes in order to help us to be a witness for God. 1 Peter says that when we are suffering we should have a ready answer for the hope that we possess. Our suffering may be an opportunity to be a witness to what we believe.

Some pain comes because God is disciplining us. Heb. 12 speaks of the corrective hand of God in our lives. He "disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness" (12:10).

Some of our pain comes to keep us dependent upon God and so His power is even more evident in our lives. I think this is one of the hardest truths to accept. Namely, that God wants us to hurt. At least three times God refused Paul's plea to remove his thorn in the flesh. He finally tells Paul that His grace is sufficient.

Some of our pain comes because of God's discipline. Heb. 12 says that we are disciplined in order to share in His holiness.

Some of our pain happens so God's power may be evident. Paul plead with God at least three times to remove his thorn in the flesh. God refused him and evidentally told him that His grace was sufficient. This must be one of the more difficult truths to accept. Namely, that God sometimes wants us to hurt.

Just some thoughts. This is certainly not an exhaustive list. Any other reasons why pain and suffering happens?