It may be broad or acute, temporary or chronic, self-imposed or not. God is not the creator of evil, pain, and suffering. My guess is that what caused the most growth in your life was some kind of pain. Want articles like this one delivered straight to your email? 2. Why does God allow suffering? Harm that was brought upon us by another human. In contrast, in our personal lives, we cant stand even the smallest pain. 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. He sees our life every day and knows exactly where we stand. We get to choose. But with time and it may take us a long time we need to get to the place where we stop asking why and ask what. Sin is the reason that we have afflictions, including death. 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? Our response to the two should be different. Or more pointedly, how can a good God allow suffering? I've been there. Now the earth was tohu va-vohu Genesis 1:2. But first we need to understand what suffering is and isnt. There are a few things that are important things on the topic of suffering we should know. Pain has a way of cracking open the heart, laying . Suffering is coming to an end. To understand what I mean, consider four verses from the Hebrew Bible. Or the millions that have no access to basic human needs. When God created everything, He said it was all "good." His promise is that one day it will end, but until then He will be with us. When someone in our church is hurting, the church tends to that members wounds. <. In suffering there is also, I believe, a message of warning. Therefore He never gives us anything for which He does not provide what we need to deal with it. So even in the sorrow you feel right now, you can look forward with hope to the fulfillment of this plan. It's important to make this distinction. We too have played the role of sinner, harming others with the choices we make. In the beginning, God created a world absent of suffering. In the midst of suffering, facts and truth bring little comfort. Pain is a blessing. God May Be Allowing This Emotional Suffering in Your Life Because He Wants a Deeper Relationship with You According to a recent report, 1 in 3 Americans take pain medication every day. You can feel for them in that suffering situation. Do God's children experience pain? Failure as the end. 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. Reasons for Hope* Jesus is donor supported. To be honest about it, I've asked that question myself. Paradoxically, love is the greater reason, and God will allow His creation to go through anything in the name of love. Or, if God is all loving, then He cannot be all powerful, or He would do something about it. Almost all of which contain some kind of message that the pain they encountered ended up being a blessing, something they wouldnt trade. Its temporary. The Lord is sovereign and He controls all adversity in our lives. God is the answer in the midst of our brokenness, and this answer is found ultimately in Jesus who became cursed to redeem those who are cursed ( Gal. The Bible clearly teaches that isnt true. We know that pain and suffering was not part of Gods plan. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. Your pain is telling you something, its teaching you something, you need to figure out what that something is. God is causing your suffering because ______. True followers of Jesus are spared from suffering. There is life and health, and there is disease and death. to learn more. 52:13-53:12). If you touch a hot stove your body reacts with pain that causes you to quickly move your hand. Easter Greeting from Reasons for Hope* Jesus. Abraham's Bosom? Social sharing is permitted. 3:13 ). Please see his About page for details. But the creatures are not happy. Failure doesnt mean the end, the pain that comes from failing creates growth. He didnt avoid it, he used it. Because of this, some people will get angry with God, believing He did nothing to stop the sin that unfolded. Ultimately God's plan will put an end to murder, cancer, tragic accidents, loneliness, sadness, depression, and grief. God allows pain so people can serve others well. He was a pastor for 10 years. The assumption is that the story is over. Help me get equipped andbe encouraged so I am empowered to know, live, and share my faith. The problem is our culture sees pain as the enemy. Join thousands of others to get the FREEDOM POST newsletter for free, sent twice a week from The Christian Post. If we run from our pain we are missing out on growth opportunities. Also see How to Ask God for Help to learn more. Twice in the verse below Paul states that the reason for his thorn in the flesh was to keep him from becoming conceited. I know that. He created the earth, and all that is in it, to be in perfect harmony with His character and nature. Is it going to get worse? Which we will get to in just a minute. For some people they dont have to imagine what a pain-free world would be like, they are living it. When the question is raised, why does God allow pain and suffering? its usually because we feel pain and suffering is unjust. God is still pursuing His people. Thus we cannot, or should not, trust Him. And the Bible teaches us to bring this message to those in the midst of suffering. Its also important that we recognize that our suffering doesnt happen without purpose. The loss of mystery Our culture lost something vital through the Enlightenment, and that is a love of mystery, or the acceptance of concepts that are difficult to understand or explain. Satan deceived Eve and she ate the forbidden fruit, and gave some to her husband who also ate. 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. In an interview, Governor Robert List talked about the good times at the MGM only 24 hours before. Whether someone is a life-long follower of Jesus or just curious about Christianity's beliefs, followers, history, and practices, Christianity FAQ aims to offer trustworthy information that is easy to understand. Sin lurks at each of our doors. And if God can't work the pain and suffering together for good, He doesn't send it . 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). So what should we do the next time we experience some kind of pain? The Bible doesnt diminish our experience of suffering. (see 2 Corinthians 12:9). God enters into our suffering in his pursuit of us. So why is there suffering if God didnt create it? God can still use that for good, but I would hesitate to call suffering good. Ground yourself in these Bible-based truths Billy Graham once shared. Leave a comment! By Nevertheless, the examples provided are clearly taught in Scripture. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. I can build my world without You. God said, If you take that position, you will suffer and die. Man took that position, and he began to suffer, and he has been dying ever since. Jesus requires the pain of dying to our self-interests to follow up. There is no joy unmixed with sorrow in this world for people who care about others.". We will get to why does God allow suffering? And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee;he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed. 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. If you let it. You are brothers and sisters. Well, the believer can turn right around and challenge the atheist: "In your worldview, by what standard do you define good or bad things?" For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? Suffering reveals the true worth of what many people are striving to buy and achieve. Pain, on the other hand, is good. First, we need to define the difference between pain and suffering. (John 17), Thats My King! Because we have been comforted through the Word of God, we in turn may be able to comfort others. C.S. But in the meantime, we do not suffer alone. 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. A religious liberty newsletter that is a must-read for people of faith. There is sweetness and there is suffering. And the list could go on and on and on. Pain, in part, is an opportunity to follow in the steps of Christ, imitate his righteousness, resolve, and faithfulness to the Father. Their pain may be the result of their own choices, which God allows them to experience, or it may be a judgment upon them that is independent of a specific choice they made. The Bible chooses to focus more on the response to suffering rather than the causation. Suffering carries a message of mystery. Thats why Christ died on the cross. 1:18-19) The debased minds of the wicked are evidence of human rebellion . When will this end? Far too often well-meaning Christians and misinformed churches simply throw band-aide answers at the question and ignore the pain that the person is going through. We ask why does God allow suffering because we need to express our emotions. An accident that leads to lifelong pain. In these verses, Paul is referring to multiple types of suffering mental, physical, emotional and spiritual. The more acutely we see our need, the more likely we are to seek His face. Now we ask: what's the role of God in the coming of death and pain in the world? These are questions central to the Christian faith, and questions that have not gone unexplored in the cannon of Christian philosophy. I want you to go to heaven. But you must respond to Him. And if he's powerful, he'd be able to eradicate it, right? 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. Let me explain. Please help us share God's truths and hope in Christ. Also see How To Listen To God to learn more. Our unwillingness to face our pain is a far greater danger than the pain itself. Feeling pain leads many people to have compassion toward others who are having the same experience. Are you prepared to meet God? That way they can benefit from it as you have. If we seek God, He is faithful and He will provide. Remember that in Genesis 1:31, God looked over His creation and called it "good.". But then sin entered the world. We have to ask ourselves if we trust that Gods plan is good, even if at the moment it doesnt seem good. Accidents and diseases do not discriminate. Also see How Can You Get Right With God? So, why does God allow pain? Grief causes ones life to halt and become devoid of meaning. Some illnesses are a result of not taking care of ones body. The question is: If God (or Allah) is the most merciful, why does He allow pain and suffering to happen? To enjoy our website, you'll need to enable JavaScript in your web browser. God allows struggle and difficult times because we are sinners and we all come short of the glory of God. Let me offer three answers: 1) To let us see the gravity of our choices God didn't stop Adam from sinning (see Genesis 3:1-9 in context). Something we cannot see or even understand? Where you were a year ago, 5 years ago, 10 years ago. Read this: When it feels like God has forgotten about you. Pain and suffering are realities in our everyday life. Have you ever heard the question, If God is love (good) and is all-powerful why doesnt He just get rid of suffering? You are suffering due to a lack of faith. When we suddenly bear an affliction, our pride, impatience, and unbelief will often surface. Unbelievers sometimes experience pain because of sin in their life. Sin is the reason that we have afflictions, including death. Without pain, we would be in grave danger and not even know it. God sees the larger picture. Most English Bibles render this verse as: "The earth was empty and without . Hebrews 5:14 tells us, "But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.". He clothed them (see Genesis 3:21). Jerry Bridges writes, God never allows pain without a purpose in the lives of His children. 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. What Im about to say will be of little, or maybe no, help/comfort to those currently suffering. Suffering is all around us. It will all be over. But there is evil in the world. In a polytheistic worldview, as noted above, pain and suffering are simply factors caused by malevolent gods. Let me explain. The Bible teaches that we are to be patient in suffering. Pain is meant to be a blessing. 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. Instead, He forewarned the man and allowed him to decide for himself. But let's look at four specific biblical reasons why God ordains suffering for his people. Pastor and author Alister Begg writes, How did Paul handle his sufferings and encourage the church to face theirs? In Jesus, we have that assurance.". Even Satan knows that there is no limit to Jehovah's power. We cant necessarily know or answer why God sometimes chooses to stop it and other times to allow it. Genuine Praise & Real Hope, The Prayer Guide Us With Faith; Give Us Grace; Keep Us Safe, The Cross from the Fathers, Sons, and Believers Perspectives. to learn more. Think about your life. For example, you might be passed over for a seemingly great job opportunity, only to get a better one later. If He's good, why allow pain and suffering? Writer. God is redeeming all things for His good and our benefit. Maybe we are thinking about pain in the wrong light. Third, our attitude in suffering should glorify God. Much pain consequently comes from our sin, but not all pain does. Trying to be more like Jesus each day. There is joy and there is misery. Everything we see and experience, from illnesses and injuries to grievous injustices and moral decay, are the result of a fallen world. The end result is that He is redeeming and restoring all the evil, pain and suffering of this sin-sick world. The meaning of this verse makes it clear that pain and suffering have a way of bringing our strengths and weaknesses to the surface. God came to earth and suffered with us in His pursuit of us. God didn't design the earth to have evil and suffering in it; he made it perfect. What do you have to do to be ready? The disease that ravages our body. If you are in the middle of suffering I would encourage you to go read: Why Did Jesus Weep? God took the initiative in giving His Son, Jesus Christ. And then death crept in. That's the way I usually think about trying to come to terms with why I or somebody else might be suffering. He might not keep usfrompain and suffering but He will keep us (hold us and care for us)inour pain and suffering. The pain is a defense mechanism that keeps you from further harm. Now you ask, why does God allow pain, suffering, and failure in our lives? He uses it to test our faith, discipline us, and to grow our character. 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. Jesus suffered and died for us on the cross, but God raised Him from the dead. 20. He knows it will bring little comfort. Why does God allow suffering and evil? But when we engage with Scripture and understand what the Bible has to say about suffering, it can broaden our perspective and enable us to make sense of our circumstances in a new way. Lets dive into the question, Why does God allow suffering? Paul the sufferer turns his pain into a Christ-exalting experience by showing Christ's all-sufficiency in his weakness. Some physical evil may be the result of the original sin of Adam and Eve ( Genesis 3:6, Romans 5:12-14 ). "But if God is not the author of pain and suffering where did it come from? This verse doesnt mean that God wont give you more than you can handle. Here are two possible answers: It's God's job to keep human beings happy, comfortable and pain-free. No, because the sacrifice of all those innocent souls ;who are now living in paradise and realize why their pain was put upon them, gave us the knowledge to prevent something similar from happening in the future. Human experience also argues against this false idea, as followers of Christ suffer at the same rate as non-believers. It was at this point that evil, sickness, disease, and death entered the world and along with it pain and suffering. So lets dive a little deeper into why does God allow suffering? Challenges as something to be avoided. lets look at what the Bible says about suffering. I remember early in my life when my mother walked out on our family. Second, we should ask God to teach us all He would have us learn about Him, about ourselves, about others and how we can minister to those who are suffering. Jesus himself never answers the question of why bad things happen in this world, other than to confirm that they will continue to happen. Christians experience pain for the purposes of chastisement. The gift of free will was given to the first human parents, Adam and Eve. However, for reasons known only to Him, He often allows what He hates to accomplish what He loves. It's one of the tools He uses to get stubborn sheep to greener pastures. What mentality should believers have toward pain? Yet, none of us is innocent. 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, its all too easy to fall into a trap of Christian karma and argue that someone didnt deserve such trials or tribulations. Reasons for Hope* Jesus, Yes, send me answers to interesting and challenging questions about Jesus and the Bible. Husband. Those who have been abused wear scars that seemingly never heal. But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. Jesus Christ now sits at the right hand of God the Father, and He sees our suffering. How has pain caused growth in your life? But the point is in our fallen world sometimes pain turns to suffering. Yet, God will carry us through some of the darkest seasons of our lives to show His incredible love for us. Although I was only two years old, this pain resurfaced as I grew older. Love cannot be forced, it must be chosen. Trying to be more like Jesus each day. We might not like it, but it protects us and produces good things in us. So why does God allow suffering? Satan did not call into question Jehovah's power. Pain and suffering was not present. Lee Strobel wrote an excellent piece that I adapted some of the points below from. Its important that we recognize that suffering is a battleground. The life of Christ argues against this idea because he was without sin (2 Cor. Theres a larger story unfolding that you and I are not privy too. Conclusion. People often hold only one view of suffering; however, the Bible does not have one approach to suffering but many. Philip Yancey in The Question that Never Goes Away. A disease that ravages our body. to learn more. Its through pain that you will be toughened, its through failure you will find the right path, its through disappointment you will find joy, its through loss you find true meaning. Her husband who also ate a defense mechanism that keeps you from further harm to go:! Gone unexplored in the meantime, we need to enable JavaScript in your life was some kind message! Stop it and other times to allow it my mother walked out on opportunities! 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