God allows pain and suffering and evil because He has a plan, and He’s working His plan. Back to our question about why God allows pain and suffering. He will set all things right in the end. Sometimes, God has to really get our attention to open our eyes that we can’t do this life without HIM. This verse doesn’t mean that God won’t give you more than you can handle. We need to correct our faulty teaching with the truth of God’s Word. The last chapter of the Bible makes it clear that there is a happy ending to what is NOT a fairy tale. That’s why He rose from the dead. This doesnât mean that the Bible doesnât tell us how to think about our suffering now, it actually equips us. Many religious believers will eventually confront the question of why the god in which they believe allows pain, suffering, and evil in the world. © All content on this site is copyrighted. Scripture tells us, âWe are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyedâ (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). Abraham's Bosom? Please consider supporting Reasons for Hope*Jesus. Being in perfect communion with God they had everything they needed to trust God in all things, but sadly they chose to disobey God and eat of the forbidden fruit. Clearly, the Bible teaches that there is a God, and there is such thing as evil, pain, and suffering. Paul writes, âWe know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose,â (Romans 8:28). In our pain, we long to know why God allows grief and hardship into our lives. Beliefnet is a lifestyle website providing feature editorial content around the topics of inspiration, spirituality, health, wellness, love and family, news and entertainment. Paul the sufferer turns his pain into a Christ-exalting experience by showing Christ’s all-sufficiency in his weakness. An expensive speeding ticket is a result of breaking a traffic law. What significance do colors have in the Bible? The Curiosity Collective brings together thought leaders, subject matter experts, pastors, and theologians to explore this difficult question. We may hurt so badly that even those who try to bring comfort feel the pain. 7, 8. We too have played the role of sinner, harming others with the choices we make. God created humans and the earth to be perfect and to live in perfect relationship with each other and with God. Pain and suffering can can be a blessing. This verse doesn’t mean that God won’t give you more than you can handle. Our loving and merciful God has a perfect plan to use that suffering to accomplish His threefold purpose. Paul writes, âThis light of momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look to the things that are not seen but the things that are unseen. 6. He is almighty, after all. All of our problems and our suffering, including death itself, are a result of man’s rebellion against God. Caused by mankind in general – war, persecution and pollution This pain can be intense. Here are five biblical reasons why God allows suffering. Evil words and actions have left great marks on our hearts, minds and bodies. When the question is raised, “why does God allow pain and suffering?” it’s usually because we feel pain and suffering is unjust. “for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). When a member is down and discouraged, the church is called to lift that person up. James 1:2-4 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that … However, it will draw us closer as we place our … The church is also meant to be a refuge for those who are suffering. We all face suffering in some way, shape or form. <, We need your help. Adam and Eve’s bodies were created to be perfect in all ways — no illness or injury. What makes this experience complex is the fact that when suffering comes, several of these types of suffering are often involved which can take a major toll on our spirit. “Why does God allow pain and suffering?” I asked myself as I laid with my entire left side paralyzed, feeling terrified, worried, and upset. We all too often try to understand and explain pain and suffering as being a consequence of our behavior — and sometimes it is. We should not waste the trials in this life, but rather use them as an opportunity to turn to the Lord and draw close to Him in trusting faith, remembering that the “goodness of God endures continually” (Psalm 52:1b) and His mercies are new every morning… great is His faithfulness. 'But if God is not the author of pain and suffering where did it come from? The end result is that He is redeeming and restoring all the evil, pain and suffering of this sin-sick world. When the question is raised, “why does God allow pain and suffering?” it’s usually because we feel pain and suffering is unjust. MESSAGES THAT MOVE US TO ACTION. If you’d like more on the question of why God allows pain and suffering, please see The Case for Faith, which is available for free through local libraries. Suffering prepares us in a way that a life without suffering never could. When we go through … And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; We should not waste the trials in this life, but rather use them as an opportunity to turn to the Lord and draw close to Him in trusting faith, remembering that the “goodness of God endures continually” (Psalm 52:1b) and His mercies are new every morning…. Therefore He never gives us anything for which He does not provide what we need to deal with it. We forfeited our chance for eternal life without some cost when we rejected God in the beginning. Suffering transcends all class, race, ethnicity, culture, privilege. We also know that God created man with a free will — giving Adam and Eve the ability to make choices. In the beginning, all of creation reflected God’s glory. Sinning causes suffering. It's a difficult question—probably one of the hardest to answer. Did We Exist as Spirit Beings Prior to Birth? Yet, God will carry us through some of the darkest seasons of our lives to show His incredible love for us. First, He uses pain and suffering to draw us to Himself so that we will cling to Him. Suffering can show up in many ways. Failing to recognize or master these things often creates suffering for others. An Example of Suffering that God Allows At the root of all suffering as we established is sin and evil. What Does it Meant to Taste and See that the Lord is Good? The Bible doesnât diminish our experience of suffering. Genesis 1:31 says God saw all that He had made and it was very good,' he continued. We never ask that question about the pain and suffering of a life term sentence for someone who has committed murder — because, we understand it was a consequence of their actions, and we reason that they deserve it as a result of what they did. Some illnesses are a result of not taking care of one’s body. Sometimes the emotional or physical pain of suffering is prolonged. The question, “why does God allow pain and suffering,” is always asked of pain and suffering experienced by those we deem to be innocent or undeserving of such affliction. Why is there so much suffering in the world? At times even great thinkers are baffled by the seeming contradiction between the existence of a loving God … We know that pain and suffering was not part of God’s plan. One way is to curse God because of our suffering and the other is to praise God, even in the midst of our suffering. Then Jesus dies on the cross, and in the mystery of faith, all the junk of the world, all the junk that's in our hearts, all the junk that's in our relationships, all of that junk dies with him. Why does God allow pain and suffering? The same way a loving father can allow … Suffering happens in community and we have a responsibility to be of support and aid to those who are suffering around us. This Sunday is Question #3: Why does God allow pain and suffering? Suffering was the means by which Christ set creation back on the road to restoration. Yes, the innocent suffer (see Job 1–2), but God can redeem that suffering. One of the most pressing challenges to Christianity is the problem of evil. Mankind chose to … But we can understand what God has spoken to us through His Word. He created the earth, and all that is in it, to be in perfect harmony with His character and nature. Believe that in your pain and suffering, God is ever present. God didn't stop Adam from sinning (see Genesis 3:1-9 in … Paul alludes this in Galatians 6:2, when he writes, âBear one anotherâs burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.â The church is not meant to be an association of loosely bound individuals but a community of individuals bound together. God knows it. We’ve established why pain and suffering exists, but we also know that God has the power to stop pain and suffering. Pain and suffering was not present. Where are the genealogies of Jesus in Mark and John? Social sharing is permitted. It can bring us to the end of ourselves and cause us to turn to the God of comfort: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. The same God that allows the pain and suffering to exist in your life is the same God that can walk with you through it. Where was that? Itâs important that we recognize that suffering is a battleground. If we ask why God allows this suffering, the Bible tells us that God doesn’t only permit it: He actively commands it (Matthew 25:41), for God is holy and righteous (1 John 1:5), and it would be unjust for God to leave sin unpunished forever (Romans 3:25-26). Biblical Response to … But as we learned in Chapter 3, the real ruler of the world is Satan the Devil. When someone in the church is in need, we are to come alongside them to help them through their suffering. These experiences remind us of who God is and what He can do. In doing so they broke the perfect communion that they had with God and plunged the world into sin and darkness. Because of the sin of Adam and Eve, we are all fallen creatures living in a fallen world…and we are all subject to the consequences of our sin and that of others. Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site. If we seek God, He is faithful and He will provide. These Bible verses on the topic of why does God allow suffering are generall… There’s also pain and suffering that occurs from the consequences of our sin or when we are a victim of another’s sinful actions. As Christians, we need to listen to the whole biblical narrative to appreciate its multifaceted handling of the problem. He might not keep us from pain and suffering but He will keep us (hold us and care for us) in our pain and suffering. Use PayPal or a Credit Card for safe, secure giving. Itâs also important that we recognize that our suffering doesnât happen without purpose. Suffering is the result of mankind’s sin and rebellion against God (Genesis 3). When the complexity of suffering rears us its head, we will find ourselves ill-equipped to deal with the ramifications. Delivered Sunday, July 22 at Cherry Hills Community Church in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. We can’t necessarily know or answer why God sometimes chooses to stop it and other times to allow it. Healing is Promised, Not Pain and Suffering from Diseases. Each of us knows firsthand what it means to suffer as a result of … That’s the way I usually think about trying to come to terms with why I or somebody else might be suffering. Paul was doing God’s will, yet he found himself in a Roman prison. God could step in at any point and stop the suffering. If youâre going through a tough time, take heart. To let us see the gravity of our choices. categories. Paulâs idea is not that we must suffer the same thing as another person in order to minister the hope and comfort of God. He is the same God that will not let you experience the pain and suffering without grace and mercy. Pain and suffering are realities in our everyday life. The comfort of God that we can extend to others isnât limited to the church and is not limited to shared experience. Pain and suffering are realities in our everyday life. What we’ve just stumbled upon is known as The Problem of Evil and it’s been around ever since the first human stubbed their toe- … A deep devotion to the Lord never excuses us from pain and trial. And though suffering is painful and we should do whatever we can to avoid causing it, God can even use suffering to produce good. 6 Many people blame God for all the suffering in the world because they think that God rules the world. So they were created with perfect bodies and godly minds capable of directing their desires and will, and reflecting God’s nature and His glory. It was at this point that evil, sickness, disease, and death entered the world — and along with it pain and suffering. He created the earth, and all that is in it, to be in perfect harmony with His character and nature. Their minds were created to be governed by communion with God through the power of the Holy Spirit. Read these Top 9 Bible Verses-Why Does God Allow Suffering? One might say that these three qualities are crucial to any solid or lasting relationship. Previous article The Death of Christendom. What is needed is an experience of deliverance from affliction, comfort in grief and restoration in brokenness. Because of this, some people will get angry with God, believing He did nothing to stop the sin that unfolded. Accidents and diseases do not discriminate. We have all been the victims of the evil choices of others. Sin lurks at each of our doors. We see that God actually comes to the planet, he actually lives among us so that he understands our suffering, our hurt, our pain. In these verses, Paul is referring to multiple types of suffering â mental, physical, emotional and spiritual. God said I will heal (Exodus 15:26) and Jesus said that He came to do the Father’s will, Hebrews 10:7 and John 6:38. God, therefore, may allow some level of pain and suffering because he knows (and has communicated) the fleeting, short nature of our mortal experience. Help me get equipped and be encouraged so I am empowered to know, live, and share my faith. If He allows us to go through pain, suffering and loss, then He has something good He wants us to accomplish. Reasons for Hope* Jesus exists to glorify God by equipping you to know Jesus better, to love Jesus more & to share your faith. It’s important to make this distinction. But what we don’t usually look for is God’s purpose for our weaknesses in the lives of others. God is loving and merciful, kind and good, all-knowing and perfect in all His ways. This is the result of the fall of man (Genesis 3:14-19). Can’t He stop it? People often hold only one view of suffering; however, the Bible does not have one approach to suffering but many. We can easily understand those kinds of suffering, but when we try to understand the suffering that comes from the death of a child, from affliction or disease, from evil and injustices inflicted on people, and other such circumstances of life, it’s all too easy to fall into a trap of Christian karma and argue that someone didn’t deserve such trials or tribulations. (Deuteronomy 31:8). How Can God Allow So Much Evil and Suffering? (Lamentations 3:23), ©2020 All Rights Reserved. The Lord is sovereign and He controls all adversity in our lives. There is no corner untouched by grief, no demographic, no alliance. Why would a good God allow so much pain and suffering- or for that matter, why would a good God allow any pain and suffering at all? We know that pain and suffering was not part of God’s plan. So, how can a loving all-powerful God allow pain and suffering? (Jer 1:5), Sadness and Despair: The Darkest Days of All Time, Jesus is Enough — Even When Stricken with Cancer, If Pre-borns Could Talk: A Conversation in the Womb. That’s why Christ died on the cross. Suffering reminds us of our humanity, of our finiteness. The book of Job offers great insight on the two ways we can choose to respond to suffering. The wealthiest, most successful man on earth could lose his only daughter in a car wreck this afternoon. What is the Prophetic Symbolism of Advent Candles? In order to address the reasons why God allows pain and suffering, we need to consider the source of evil. Suffering humbles us. While going through the shock and denial of it all, I finally began to understand that there was a reason God allowed the stroke to occur. God allows evil that leads to pain and suffering, but he is not the source of evil. Praise the Lord that He provided forgiveness of sin to all who repent and trust in Christ. It can continue for weeks, months, even years. When someone in our church is hurting, the church tends to that memberâs wounds. Why does God allow suffering? Yet it's still important to grapple with the question of why God allows suffering in our lives. The Bible tells of a future time when there will be no more suffering Suffering seems to be of three types: Caused by ourselves – pain and suffering as a result of accident injuries or lifestyle choices. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternalâ (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). One of the first things we think of when it comes to suffering is that we must avoid it at all costs, but God brings suffering in our lives for the sake of our eternal joy and glory, even if we canât understand why at this time. A consequence of our problems and our suffering is that none of us knows firsthand what it means to as... T mean that God won ’ t necessarily know or answer why God allows suffering in Scripture to... 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Emotionally don ’ t mean that God rules the world experience of deliverance affliction. Re talking with someone who is hurting, the Bible makes it clear that there a..., culture, privilege about why God allows suffering we can choose to respond suffering. This afternoon and aid to those who are suffering around us our attention to open eyes! To wonder if our suffering doesnât happen without purpose it comes upon us failing to recognize or master these often. Draw nigh to you a way that a life without suffering never could answer! Suffering transcends all class, race, ethnicity, culture, privilege when face... With God and plunged the world recognizes the complexity of suffering in some way, shape or form,,! Pressing challenges to Christianity is the result of a doubt, that Satan was wrong firsthand what means! Can use suffering of any kind to why god allows pain and suffering us into a closer relationship Him. To us through some of the darkest seasons of our behavior — and why god allows pain and suffering.
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