The Bible presents suffering as part of a larger conflict between good and evil, while showing that God is compassionate, near to the brokenhearted, and able to work even suffering toward eternal good.
Suffering entered the world through sin, not from God's original design, and the Bible frames history as a great controversy between good and evil in which humanity is caught. God is not the author of suffering, but He enters into it: He is described as near to the brokenhearted, present in affliction, and able to work even painful circumstances toward good purposes for those who love Him. The cross is the clearest evidence that God takes suffering seriously enough to bear it Himself, and the promise of a coming new earth assures that suffering will not have the last word.
The great controversy reveals God's character as Christ ministers as our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary. The dead await the resurrection, Christ's return will be visible and personal, and prophecy calls believers to faithful mission rather than date-setting or fear.