Its pain that will grow you. The answer to this question is that none of us are truly innocent or undeserving. Actually theres a fundamental flaw in that question. Of course, we knew the consequences of free will. The assumption is that the story is over. This doesnt mean that the Bible doesnt tell us how to think about our suffering now, it actually equips us. The church is also meant to be a refuge for those who are suffering. I think the reason so many of us struggle with this question of suffering is that we cant trust God. God is all-powerful. Want articles like this one delivered straight to your email? These answers dont comfort and often arent even true. Pain, suffering, and evil come into the ultimately because of sin. Many agnostics believe that God is a punishing, vengeful being indifferent to our pains and suffering. The logic being: If God is all powerful, then He cannot be loving and allow human suffering, because a loving God would not tolerate pain. There is joy and there is misery. Keep reading to explore the answers to these questions and many others. 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. But God has revealed answers through the Bible and through the Person of His Son, Jesus Christ. Growth is spurred by failures, losses, challenges, difficult situations, break ups, financial woes, and the rest of the calamities that hit our life In other words, pain is what causes us to grow. Whatever the reasons behind pain and suffering, we all experience it because of sin having entered the world. Scripture tells us, We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). After recent shootings in Indianapolis, Chicago and Minneapolis, its natural to wonder why a sovereign God allows suffering. 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. "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 . <. Pain and suffering are realities in our everyday life. In fact, our suffering is a sign of God's love. We, like Cain must battle our fear, insecurity, shame, resentment and anger. Anne Graham Lotz: What Impossible Situation Are You Facing? Although we cannot grasp the master plan of the universe, which allows for so much evil and pain (the Why? God gave us free will and wants us to exercise it. But the creatures are not happy. Personal Pain. Thus God had to give us the ability to chose, He had to give us free will. All told, 2,974 people were killed in the 9/11 attacks, which President George W. Bush called "evil, despicable acts of terror" and "acts of mass murder.". We may hurt so badly that even those who try to bring comfort feel the pain. (Rom. To Kill Sin and Grow Godliness. One of the most common arguments atheists challenge Christians with is the so-called "problem of pain." If there's an all-powerful, loving God, why do bad things happen? Pain is part of the program. According to the Bible, reasons that God allows pain in the life of a believer include chastisement, humility, stimulating spiritual maturity, and imitating Jesus Christ in his sufferings. Think about your life. While God didnt create suffering, He is in the business of redeeming it. Hope youll give us another try and check out some other articles. Father. "Sorrowful yet always rejoicing.". The life of Christ argues against this idea because he was without sin (2 Cor. If you let it. Will Graham Devotion: 3 Reminders in Your Suffering, Will Graham Devotion: Suffering for Jesus. Pain promotes humility. We too have played the role of sinner, harming others with the choices we make. He sees our life every day and knows exactly where we stand. Here's the unalterable fact: Pain is often a central part of God's purpose in this world. This is how we come to understand our experience and to receive comfort and strength from those who listen and care for us. But the point is in our fallen world sometimes pain turns to suffering. It's important to make this distinction. As a spiritual advice columnist, I am frequently asked why God allows suffering. In the beginning, all of creation reflected Gods glory. Since suffering exists, the assumption is God is either loving but impotent, or powerful but calloused. Allow me to ask you this. But we can understand what God has spoken to us through His Word. for he hath said,I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee (Hebrews 13:5). God does not exist for the sake of man. 5:21) yet experienced indescribable pain and suffering (e.g. Trials take our minds off of things of the world and put them back on the Lord. This is at no cost to you and helps keep Rethink up and running. So, lets look at what suffering is and how a good God can allow suffering to exist. Its through pain that we will grow and develop into who God has created us to be. Is it possible that He using pain for our good? Romans 8:28 echos this promise. In these verses, Paul is referring to multiple types of suffering mental, physical, emotional and spiritual. 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. In Second Corinthians we read: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. Everything we see and experience, from illnesses and injuries to grievous injustices and moral decay, are the result of a fallen world. In Matthew 16:24-26 Jesus tells his followers to pick up their cross. Your pain is telling you something, its teaching you something, you need to figure out what that something is. In other words, Christians still sin. For example, you might be passed over for a seemingly great job opportunity, only to get a better one later. But there is evil in the world. 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. There is pleasure and there is pain. But Jesus sent them anyway. Pastor and author Alister Begg writes, How did Paul handle his sufferings and encourage the church to face theirs? Yes, the innocent suffer (see Job 1-2 ), but God can redeem that suffering. For the purposes of this article, we should not mix the two. Topics: Suffering. Anything at all. We cant necessarily know or answer why God sometimes chooses to stop it and other times to allow it. In Genesis 1:31 God looks over His creation and declares it VERY good. Please click here to learn how. Betrayal leaves many wondering if they will ever be whole again. I know we dont like it, but for just a minute we need to sit in our pain. Love cannot be forced, it must be chosen. Job 1:11-12). 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 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. My answer is simple: God doesn't allow suffering, God is suffering. Here are five biblical reasons why God allows suffering. Back to our question about why God allows pain and suffering. But until then, we are told to trust in His plan. Why is He allowing these bad things to happen to me? As a professor, he has taught Bible and theology courses at two Christian universities. Because of love. Do Gods children experience pain? God sees and understands what we cannot. 1. There is no indication in Pauls description that God was chastising him for sin. When Satan led Adam and Eve into disobeying Jehovah, an important question was raised. 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. Find hope, peace, and security today. Theres a larger story unfolding that you and I are not privy too. 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. Another unbiblical idea is that if a person is perfect and never (or rarely) does anything wrong, they wont suffer pain. Conclusion. He didnt give a lecture on why suffering exists, rather He says Im with you and I will not leave you. 1. We see people dying from storms, earthquakes, floods, drought, and famine. A headache might tell you that you are dehydrated. It either drives us closer to God or makes us bitter at God. Compounding the pain of suffering are the answers often given by Christians. Pain and a loving God can co-exist. And I get that. We all face suffering in some way, shape or form. Now you ask, why does God allow pain, suffering, and failure in our lives? Before we go any further we need to define the difference between pain and suffering. That is not at all who He is. 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. The Bible teaches that Satan is the author of sin. Thats what faith demands, believing in advance what will only make sense in reverse. Easter Greeting from Reasons for Hope* Jesus. The hope and peace we so desperately seek is not found in stopping every bad thing from . This was a very emotional time. But God sees the bigger picture and one day He will reveal it to us. The cause of suffering on earth When God created the earth, His intention was that it would be an extension of the peace and harmony of heaven. 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. This is at no cost to you and helps keep Rethink up and running. Still, what did God do after Adam and Eve fell? Malcolm Muggeridge writes, Contrary to what might be expected, I look back on experiences that at the time seemed especially desolating and painful, with particular satisfaction., He continues: Indeed, I can say with complete truthfulness that everything I have learned in my seventy-five years in this world, everything that has truly enhanced and enlightened my existence, has been through affliction and not through happiness, whether pursued or attained., Muggeridges pain has helped him understand the cross of Christ: This, of course, is what the Cross signifies. Those who have been abused wear scars that seemingly never heal. Toll Free: 1-877-247-2426. He is also the foundation for morality. Lee Strobel wrote an excellent piece that I adapted some of the points below from. I remember asking God why He allowed pain and suffering on two occasions in my life. He created the earth, and all that is in it, to be in perfect harmony with His character and nature. The assumption in that question is that we know better than God and that we are the center of importance. Have You Read Jesus Last Will and Testament? All suffering includes pain, but not all pain is suffering. Why God Allows Suffering One of the most brutal truths to understand about God is why He allows pain and suffering. 52:13-53:12). We all face suffering in some way, shape or form. Betrayal leaves many wondering if they will ever be whole again. If He allows us to go through pain, suffering and loss, then He has something good He wants us to accomplish. Writer. It was at this point that evil, sickness, disease, and death entered the world and along with it pain and suffering. The disease that ravages our body. Writer. Now we ask: what's the role of God in the coming of death and pain in the world? Pain is not a danger to avoid. It may be broad or acute, temporary or chronic, self-imposed or not. The Fullness, Freeness, and Immutability of the Saviors Grace, by James Smith (1802-1862). When we grow wise through experience, we can become a people able and willing to choose what pleases the Lord. One important answer to this question is to say they should imitate Christ, who suffered more than anyone. Pain and suffering was not present. People. Dont forget to leave a comment! The Bible says that Job suddenly lost all of his wealth and his children. Thus insisting to be at the center. What caused you to appreciate life more? All suffering is the result of sin which ultimately produces evil. Some physical evil may be the result of the original sin of Adam and Eve ( Genesis 3:6, Romans 5:12-14 ). For more about the effects of sin and the work of Jesus check out: What Is Sin? Nevertheless, Satan was allowed access to the earth, and he tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden. It's common to wonder if our suffering is God's Will. God is loving and merciful, kind and good, all-knowing and perfect in all His ways. Ephesians 5:20 "Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.". He created the earth, and all that is in it, to be in perfect harmony with His character and nature. Sometimes it's simply for his glory and our good. However, God allows Christians to suffer for reasons that go beyond the curse. Jerry Bridges writes, God never allows pain without a purpose in the lives of His children. God uses pain, in part, to refine the hearts and minds of people. God allows pain in the life of an unbeliever so that they will become a believer. Job never asked why those things were happening to him. But one-day suffering will end and the final chapter will be written. We know that pain and suffering was not part of Gods plan. The Bible clearly teaches that isnt true. One day "there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain" (Revelation 21:4). 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