For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. Hope is not lost. But God sees the bigger picture and one day He will reveal it to us. Jesus said, for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me (Matthew 25:35-36). There could be no "bad, worse, and unconscionable.". Thats why its so important to not run away from failures, challenges, difficulties, and pain so fast. What we go through might be because of what we choose, but God always has a good plan for us (see Jeremiah 29:11). We have to ask ourselves if we trust that Gods plan is good, even if at the moment it doesnt seem good. We too have played the role of sinner, harming others with the choices we make. Pastor. Adam and Eves bodies were created to be perfect in all ways no illness or injury. Last and most importantly, in God our pains and failures aren't meant to harm us. But man rebelled against God. Feeling pain leads many people to have compassion toward others who are having the same experience. Remember that in Genesis 1:31, God looked over His creation and called it "good.". Pain stimulates the development of certain virtues in a Christians life. God allows pain in the life of a believer, so they will know him better. This answers the question, 'Why didn't God create a world where people don't suffer?' "The answer is He did. It will all be over. In Matthew 16:24-26 Jesus tells his followers to pick up their cross. We all face suffering in some way, shape or form. Want articles like this one delivered straight to your email? The meaning of this verse makes it clear that pain and suffering have a way of bringing our strengths and weaknesses to the surface. Read this: When it feels like God has forgotten about you. The problem is our culture sees pain as the enemy. Thousands of years later He would give up His one and only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, for us to be saved from sin and be restored to Him who loved us so much (see John 3:16). Man does not exist for his own sake We were made not primarily that we may love God (though we were made for that too) but that God may love us, that we may become objects in which the divine love may rest well pleased. Why does God allow evil, pain, and suffering? To mature from a teen to an adult? Home <. Pain isnt something we need to get rid of. What is needed is an experience of deliverance from affliction, comfort in grief and restoration in brokenness. God is not only the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. I remember asking God why He allowed pain and suffering on two occasions in my life. God allows struggle and difficult times because we are sinners and we all come short of the glory of God. In a universe with no ultimate standard of good, there could be no "good, better, and best.". So before we dive into the specific question of why does God allow suffering? But in a monotheistic worldview, why would God allow pain and suffering? (Ask Dr. Stanley) In Touch Ministries 979K subscribers 502K views 10 years ago God has the power to prevent suffering and calamity--so why. I dont understand all the things that are happening in my life, but, O God, I trust in You. He didnt avoid it, he used it. In the decades since, nearly 4,000 firemen and first responders have died from cancers and other 9/11-related medical conditions. Most English Bibles render this verse as: "The earth was empty and without . For more about the effects of sin and the work of Jesus check out: What Is Sin? Thats why Christ died on the cross. When someone in our church is hurting, the church tends to that members wounds. In doing so they broke the perfect communion that they had with God and plunged the world into sin and darkness. A better spouse? Time stamps below. 52:13-53:12). (Deuteronomy 31:8). To maintain this way of life, God instructed the first man (Adam) to avoid doing one thing: eating fruit from a certain tree in the Garden of Eden where he lived. This attitude leads to a lack of growth. Because of love. Or the millions that have no access to basic human needs. We dont know the answer. And we may never know until God explains all things to us. Trying to be more like Jesus each day. It's as much a cry as a question; a wound; a shout of betrayal of all the rules of life and fairness as you knew them. When we experience pain we need to pause and ask ourselves, what is this pain telling me? Or will we turn to God trusting that while things dont make sense now, one day God will reveal the grandeur picture? Thankfully, God is good and gave us the answers in His Word. Is it possible that maybe something bigger is unfolding? Why does God allow suffering? Join thousands of others to get the FREEDOM POST newsletter for free, sent twice a week from The Christian Post. I know most of us wouldnt say that. Help me get equipped andbe encouraged so I am empowered to know, live, and share my faith. The end result is that He is redeeming and restoring all the evil, pain and suffering of this sin-sick world. Where was that? I want to forgive you. Jesus sees pain as an avenue for growth. Which we will get to in just a minute. Colossians 4:2 "Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.". Its a common question that is used to argue that either God is not all-good or He is not all-powerful. Are you prepared to meet God? Reasons God allows pain in the life of unbelievers include showing them their need for God and as judgment for sin. First, He uses pain and suffering to draw us to Himself so that we will cling to Him. But God has revealed answers through the Bible and through the Person of His Son, Jesus Christ. Or more pointedly, how can a good God allow suffering? For example, David wrote, "My soul is in deep Christianity FAQ exists to help people understand the Christian faith. Christians experience pain to spiritual maturity through the imitation of Christ. Failing to recognize or master these things often creates suffering for others. To grow in you something and to mature you into who he is creating you to be. Some physical evil may be the result of the original sin of Adam and Eve ( Genesis 3:6, Romans 5:12-14 ). You are suffering due to a lack of faith. We also know that God created man with a free will giving Adam and Eve the ability to make choices. While our natural reaction to pain is to avoid it, get rid of it, or numb it; we need to realize that God allows pain. Its not by Gods design, its by our sin. Here are two possible answers: It's God's job to keep human beings happy, comfortable and pain-free. Do Gods children experience pain? "It is safe to say that both skeptic and believer alike share one opinion in common: The question of pain and suffering provides the greatest challenge to belief in God." In WHY SUFFERING?, Ravi Zacharias and Vince Vitale provide the 10 primary reasons why a loving God might allow suffering --- why the existence of suffering does not negate . It's one of the tools He uses to get stubborn sheep to greener pastures. God sometimes allows pain in the lives of believers, including as a consequence of their own choices, in order to discipline them. Of course, we knew the consequences of free will. Many times God brings good from our chronic pain by teaching us to rely more on Him. Lewis wrote, But pain insists upon being attended to. It may be broad or acute, temporary or chronic, self-imposed or not. 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 cant understand why at this time. If God created us without free will, we would be living machines and not made in His image and likeness. The problem is, you and I are stuck with an extremely limited view. [12] Suffering seems meaningless and cruel when not taken in the context of faith. What were the catalysts that caused you to grow? See you next time! In suffering there is a message of unity. We get to choose. Second, we can offer real and practical help to those in need. That explains where pain and suffering came from, but it does not answer the question, why does God allow pain and suffering?. Sanctified afflictions are spiritual promotions.. The first thing we must recognize is that God sees the larger picture and is orchestrating everything for His glory, which is to our benefit. Because of the sin of Adam and Eve, we are all fallen creatures living in a fallen worldand we are all subject to the consequences of our sin and that of others. But it was humans, to whom he gave free will, who allowed the devil to turn them away from God, resulting in an imperfect world with sin and evil as a part of it. Suffering will force us to move, we dont get to decide that. All suffering is the result of sin which ultimately produces evil. Through free will, we have the freedom to do what we want and whatever pleases us. Hope youll give us another try and check out some other articles. Pain, on the other hand, is good. Illness, pain, earthquakes, floods, and other natural disasters are examples of physical evils. Why does God allow suffering and evil? The POWERFUL Truth From The 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Meaning (pray without ceasing), What Train Up A Child In The Way He Should Go REALLY Means (Proverbs 22:6 Meaning), 4 Life Giving Ways To Not Grow Weary In Doing Good (Galatians 6:9 Meaning). 3:13 ). Therefore He never gives us anything for which He does not provide what we need to deal with it. What caused you to appreciate life more? The Bible teaches that Satan is the author of sin. Suffering is coming to an end. For example, you might be passed over for a seemingly great job opportunity, only to get a better one later. Nevertheless, the examples provided are clearly taught in Scripture. Before we go any further we need to define the difference between pain and suffering. 2. But there is evil in the world. Not only can pain and love co-exist but when you choose to love you risk pain. Also see How To Listen To God to learn more. Suffering prepares us in a way that a life without suffering never could. Pain and suffering can can be a blessing. Everything we see and experience, from illnesses and injuries to grievous injustices and moral decay, are the result of a fallen world. Thanks to us, the moral . If you're wondering why God allows us to experience pain and failures, let me encourage you: He loves you, that's why He allows them to happen. The Bible doesnt diminish our experience of suffering. God is all-powerful. 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. God didn't stop Adam from sinning (see Genesis 3:1-9 in context). God loves us, but because of our sinful nature, He allows these things to happen. We know that pain and suffering was not part of Gods plan. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affliliate links, meaning I get a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links. In Genesis 1:31 God looks over His creation and declares it VERY good. Moral evil is the immorality and pain and suffering and tragedy that come because we choose to be selfish, arrogant, uncaring, hateful and abusive. God can still use that for good, but I would hesitate to call suffering good. He uses it to remove sin from our lives and to make us more into the image of Christ. in a minute. Now the earth was tohu va-vohu Genesis 1:2. Man is not the centre. Christians experience pain for the purposes of chastisement. I could go on, but I think you get the picture. If He's good, why allow pain and suffering? And then death crept in. For the purposes of this article, we should not mix the two. The answer to this question is that none of us are truly innocent or undeserving. Fallen is a theological term that refers to the worlds nature being contrary to what God intended because people, starting with Adam and Eve, chose sin rather than obedience. "But if God is not the author of pain and suffering where did it come from? First, we can find meaning in the midst of suffering. That's the way I usually think about trying to come to terms with why I or somebody else might be suffering. Still, what did God do after Adam and Eve fell? Each of us knows firsthand what it means to suffer as a result of someone elses sin. The assumption in that question is that we know better than God and that we are the center of importance. God sees and understands what we cannot. While this may be a hard truth to understand, suffering is that it prepares Christians for more glory. The problem of reconciling human suffering with the existence of a God who loves, is only insoluble so long as we attach a trivial meaning to the word love, and look on things as if man were the centre of them. The comfort of God that we can extend to others isnt limited to the church and is not limited to shared experience. After recent shootings in Indianapolis, Chicago and Minneapolis, its natural to wonder why a sovereign God allows suffering. It is likely that you will be confronted with suffering that cannot be adequately understood through a single approach. In Jesus, we have that assurance.". DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affliliate links, meaning I get a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links. So, lets look at what suffering is and how a good God can allow suffering to exist. In other words, deny yourself what you want, and then follow me. Challenges as something to be avoided. Do God's children experience pain? And the list could go on and on and on. We give up too easily. Easter Greeting from Reasons for Hope* Jesus. Isa. 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 morninggreat is His faithfulness. 1 Corinthians 10:13 Godisfaithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bearit. We all too often try to understand and explain pain and suffering as being a consequence of our behavior and sometimes it is. The Bible spends much its time reminding us that our suffering is not meaningless, there is hope. There is sweetness and there is suffering. Jesus was not sparred pain in his life and his followers are not exempt from pain either. 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. If you touch a hot stove your body reacts with pain that causes you to quickly move your hand. One way is to curse God because of our suffering and the other is to praise God, even in the midst of our suffering. Will I ever get better? Pain produces holy attributes in the life of a believer like endurance, character, hope, and steadfastness. A small percentage of the world has a genetic disorder called congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis or CIPA, basically meaning they feel no pain. Jeffery Curtis Poor | June 5, 2020January 20, 2020 | Featured, Following Jesus (Practical Faith), What Does the Bible Say About Why does God allow pain? The Enigma of Suicide: Answers From Billy Graham. Why does God allow suffering?". While God grows our faith through pain, it is not His foremost reason for allowing us to hurt. While the Bible teaches that sometimes God allows pain for specific reasons (see below), the ultimate reason why such suffering is even possible is that the world is fallen. You can feel for them in that suffering situation. Our culture is both obsessed with pain and terrified of it at the same time. Compounding the pain of suffering are the answers often given by Christians. This aspect of suffering should drive us to long for a better world, a world redeemed and freed from sin, a world that God will one day come again to establish (Romans 8:19-23). Why does God allow suffering? Want to learn more about why does God allow suffering? But would that really be good? Many have walked away from their faith because of the suffering they've experienced. When I was asked to explain the tragedy of the fire at the MGM Grand Hotel, I had to say, Theres a mystery to tragedies like this. Why is God letting this happen? God took the initiative in giving His Son, Jesus Christ. In a polytheistic worldview, as noted above, pain and suffering are simply factors caused by malevolent gods. Will Graham Devotion: 3 Reminders in Your Suffering, Will Graham Devotion: Suffering for Jesus. Many agnostics believe that God is a punishing, vengeful being indifferent to our pains and suffering. We all experience pain, and even suffering at some time in our lives. Theres also pain and suffering that occurs from the consequences of our sin or when we are a victim of anothers sinful actions. There is joy and there is misery. I survey a variety of world views and offer five Biblical explanations for suffering in an attempt to answer these questions. Betrayal leaves many wondering if they will ever be whole again. We are the creators of suffering. Also see How Can You Get Right With God? Also, God may use chronic pain to help us learn endurance and patience. We are missing out on something that God wants to teach us, grow in us, or mature us in. Thats a different topic that you can read here: Why Does God Allow Suffering? To pick up one theme of suffering in Scripture is to miss the entire picture. The truth is: If God can't somehow love you through the pain and suffering, then He shields you from it. Does the existence of evil disprove Christianity? Philip Yancey in The Question that Never Goes Away. But God wasnt taken aback or surprised. Thats the hardest thing of all, to be patient, to have songs in the night. They're actually meant to make us see our grave need for Him. Therefore God lacks either goodness, or power, or both." 3. Dont forget to share your thoughts! We may hurt so badly that even those who try to bring comfort feel the pain. Pain is our enemy. BGEA is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. There is life and health, and there is disease and death. They just make the suffering worse. 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. 1 Peter 2:19-21. @ 2021-2023 Copyright | All Right Reserved. God does not exist for the sake of man. At the first sign of a headache, we pop a few Tylenol. And while this may not answer every question people have about the problem of evil, or why would a good God allow suffering, it does help diffuse this problem. Reasons God allows pain in the life of unbelievers include showing them their need for God and as judgment for sin. Here are five biblical reasons why God allows suffering. He can bring good out of evil. Our loving and merciful God has a perfect plan to use that suffering to accomplish His threefold purpose. He will always do what will be good for us (see Romans 8:28-30). The closest he ever came was when he said, Show me why You contend with me (Job 10:2). But God isnt finished yet. His newest Walking with God through Pain and Suffering is a wise, Christ-centered, comforting book for readers who hurt, and offers counsel to readers who anticipate future suffering. God wants us to realize that and freely do what is good and right by our own choice, not because He is forcing us to. Many of us think that if God is so good, why would He allow us to undergo pain and suffer failures in our lives. God Loves Me. Our first reaction to pain is to run from it, dull it, or to avoid it. What significance do colors have in the Bible? Lets dive into the question, Why does God allow suffering? (why its more than missing the mark), The POWERFUL Truth From The 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Meaning (pray without ceasing), What Train Up A Child In The Way He Should Go REALLY Means (Proverbs 22:6 Meaning), 4 Life Giving Ways To Not Grow Weary In Doing Good (Galatians 6:9 Meaning). Your pain is telling you something, its teaching you something, you need to figure out what that something is. Philip Yancey in The Question that Never Goes Awa, What Is Sin? As a spiritual advice columnist, I am frequently asked why God allows suffering. To Kill Sin and Grow Godliness. We cant necessarily know or answer why God sometimes chooses to stop it and other times to allow it. Permissions This idea is false. A religious liberty newsletter that is a must-read for people of faith. And I get that. This doesnt mean that the Bible doesnt tell us how to think about our suffering now, it actually equips us. Or the millions that have no access to basic human needs. He might not keep usfrompain and suffering but He will keep us (hold us and care for us)inour pain and suffering. Nehemiah 9:6 You alonearethe LORD; You have made heaven, The heaven of heavens, with all their host, The earth and everything on it, Exodus 20:11 In six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all thatisin them, Genesis 1:31 Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeedit wasvery good. Suffering is in our lives because we are living in a broken world. And the list could go on and on and on. In fact, our suffering is a sign of God's love. These experiences remind us of who God is and what He can do. The people surveyed reported that pain limits their activity three days per week on average. Why is He allowing these bad things to happen to me? What it does mean is that in his providential will (when He causes something to happen) or in His permissive will (when He allows something to happen),andwhen we areunable to handle, ifwe turn to God He will provide us what we need to go through it. Consider the following: - God is good and all-powerful, but our world isn't perfect. And our actions brought evil and suffering into the world. Thus we cannot, or should not, trust Him. Not by trying to produce heaven on earth but by recognizing that for the Christian the best is yet to be.. to learn more. He sees our life every day and knows exactly where we stand. Anything at all. Thats why its imperative that when we are going through a time of trial and suffering that we remember how much God loves us. I know that. But love requires a choice. Those are two very different responses. The pain that will not go away, that keeps us in bed, ravages our body, and takes everything of joy from our life. What Does it Mean to Taste and See that the Lord is Good? Have you ever heard the question, If God is love (good) and is all-powerful why doesnt He just get rid of suffering? The pain is a defense mechanism that keeps you from further harm. The loving, omnipotent God of our imagination would move swiftly from creation to new creation, from the garden of Eden of Genesis to the heavenly Jerusalem of Revelation. An expensive speeding ticket is a result of breaking a traffic law. 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