In the Bible, the presence of natural disasters is acknowledged, but their occurrence isn’t directly explained as acts of punishment or the absence of God. Instead, the Bible presents a world where both good and evil, joy and suffering, exist. It’s important to remember that after the creation, the world was described as “very good” (Genesis 1:31), but it also tells the story of how sin entered the world through Adam and Eve’s disobedience, bringing about a curse upon the land (Genesis 3:17-19).

One of the key themes throughout the Bible is that God is sovereign, even over the chaos and suffering in the world. In the book of Job, for example, Job suffers greatly through no fault of his own. His friends suggest that his suffering must be a punishment for sin, but the book ultimately reveals that there is a cosmic dimension to suffering that human beings might not always understand. God speaks to Job out of the storm, emphasizing His power over creation and the limits of human understanding (Job 38-41).

The New Testament offers a message of hope and redemption, emphasizing that God is with us in our suffering. Jesus Christ, God incarnate, experienced human suffering and died on the cross, demonstrating God’s profound solidarity with humanity. Through His resurrection, He offers hope and the promise of new life. Romans 8:22-23 says, “For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.”

In Matthew 5:45, Jesus says, “For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” This reflects the understanding that, in this world, blessings and hardships occur to all people, regardless of their righteousness. The presence of natural disasters and suffering is part of the current order of creation, which awaits full restoration when Christ returns.

Ultimately, the Bible encourages believers to trust in God’s goodness and sovereignty, even amid suffering and disasters. It calls on them to offer compassion and assistance to those who suffer, reflecting God’s love and mercy in a broken world.