God is working all things, even the bad things, for our benefit. And then death crept in. Cancer Patient's Pain and Suffering show their faith in action to you. 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. So, lets look at what suffering is and how a good God can allow suffering to exist. 1 Peter 2:19-21. But theres a flaw in that question. Suffering is in our lives because we are living in a broken world. When we think of suffering, we often think of God being far away from us. Topics: Suffering. Its through pain that we will grow and develop into who God has created us to be. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. The Bible teaches that Satan is the author of sin. Why does God allow suffering and evil? One of the greatest gifts of God is free will. He never allows Satan, nor circumstances, nor any ill-intending person to afflict us unless He uses that affliction for our good. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). (John 17), Thats My King! In a universe with no ultimate standard of good, there could be no "good, better, and best.". In our pain, we long to know why God allows grief and hardship into our lives. Pain alerts us something is wrong and we need to stop or seek help. God allows for suffering, but He did not create it. God allows and sometimes even causes pain in our lives. Now you ask, why does God allow pain, suffering, and failure in our lives? 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. Challenges as something to be avoided. For more about the effects of sin and the work of Jesus check out: What Is Sin? Telling someone youre with them and all hope is not lost goes a lot further. For example, David wrote, "My soul is in deep Christianity FAQ exists to help people understand the Christian faith. What Does it Mean to Taste and See that the Lord is Good? Well, the believer can turn right around and challenge the atheist: "In your worldview, by what standard do you define good or bad things?" He uses it to remove sin from our lives and to make us more into the image of Christ. The Purpose of Pain. Thats the hardest thing of all, to be patient, to have songs in the night. For some people they dont have to imagine what a pain-free world would be like, they are living it. "Sorrowful yet always rejoicing.". Unbelievers sometimes experience pain because of sin in their life. He knows it will bring little comfort. He sees our life every day and knows exactly where we stand. It was not in His original plan that suffering would take place. A religious liberty newsletter that is a must-read for people of faith. The good news is that even though we royally screwed up. None. Reasons God allows pain in the life of unbelievers include showing them their need for God and as judgment for sin. In our pain, we long to know why God allows grief and hardship into our lives. Why does God allow suffering? It's common to wonder if our suffering is God's Will. Thats why its imperative that when we are going through a time of trial and suffering that we remember how much God loves us. God didn't stop Adam from sinning (see Genesis 3:1-9 in context). Rather, Satan questioned Jehovah's right to rule. "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 . Some respondents said their pain was the result of their own choices, while others said it wasnt. 3:13 ). That's the way I usually think about trying to come to terms with why I or somebody else might be suffering. To understand what I mean, consider four verses from the Hebrew Bible. One important answer to this question is to say they should imitate Christ, who suffered more than anyone. Now the earth was tohu va-vohu Genesis 1:2. And I get that. Remember that in Genesis 1:31, God looked over His creation and called it "good.". He. Their minds were created to be governed by communion with God through the power of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes pain increases a persons dependence on God, leads them to draw near to him more, and causes them to study the Bible and pray more. The pain is a defense mechanism that keeps you from further harm. 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. Whatever the reasons behind pain and suffering, we all experience it because of sin having entered the world. But would that really be good? Suffering carries a message of mystery. If He allows us to go through pain, suffering and loss, then He has something good He wants us to accomplish. You just need to believe more. Please see his About page for details. 2. The answer to this question is that none of us are truly innocent or undeserving. 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. Why do Christians experience pain? God is waiting, Hes being patient, Hes continually pursuing those far from Him in hopes they will return to Him. Billy Graham By I want you to go to heaven. But you must respond to Him. Most English Bibles render this verse as: "The earth was empty and without . Your pain is telling you something, its teaching you something, you need to figure out what that something is. 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. 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. Do Gods children experience pain? Suffering is coming to an end. Thats what faith demands, believing in advance what will only make sense in reverse. You might also like: 7 Surprising Truths About Death. God does not exist for the sake of man. Pain is part of the program. 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. The church is also meant to be a refuge for those who are suffering. The meaning of this verse makes it clear that pain and suffering have a way of bringing our strengths and weaknesses to the surface. If you are in the middle of suffering I would encourage you to go read: Why Did Jesus Weep? Thats why Christ died on the cross. 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. He created the earth, and all that is in it, to be in perfect harmony with His character and nature. Suffering prepares us in a way that a life without suffering never could. Why does God allow suffering? Again the question not so quietly arises. Yes, the innocent suffer (see Job 1-2 ), but God can redeem that suffering. God May Be Allowing This Emotional Suffering in Your Life Because He Wants a Deeper Relationship with You That means we can choose to sin, and the natural consequence of disobedience to God's beneficial laws is suffering. God allows pain so people can serve others well. But pain isnt our enemy. 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. And the list could go on and on and on. He will always do what will be good for us (see Romans 8:28-30). Dont forget to leave a comment! But man rebelled against God. What we go through might be because of what we choose, but God always has a good plan for us (see Jeremiah 29:11). Father. 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. First, we need to define the difference between pain and suffering. Satan deceived Eve and she ate the forbidden fruit, and gave some to her husband who also ate. Which I think is why God rarely responds to our demands for answers when we are suffering. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. We have all been the victims of the evil choices of others. Now you ask, why does God allow pain, suffering, and failure in our lives? Can Gods children avoid pain? In contrast, in our personal lives, we cant stand even the smallest pain. According to a recent report, 1 in 3 Americans take pain medication every day. Permissions He always causes it to work together for our ultimate good, the good of conforming us more to the likeness of His Son (see Romans 8:28-29).. Am I being punished? Hope youll give us another try and check out some other articles. Man is not the centre. Each of us knows firsthand what it means to suffer as a result of someone elses sin. Jesus suffered and died for us on the cross, but God raised Him from the dead. And how quickly, he said, the music has stopped.. God sees the larger picture. This doesnt mean that the Bible doesnt tell us how to think about our suffering now, it actually equips us. He understands it all. First, it should be one of worship. There is no joy unmixed with sorrow in this world for people who care about others.". Contact Us. But first we need to understand what suffering is and isnt. Want articles like this one delivered straight to your email? For now, we must hold onto the hope that our suffering is temporary. Why is God letting this happen? Does the existence of evil disprove Christianity? This is at no cost to you and helps keep Rethink up and running. Its a common question that is used to argue that either God is not all-good or He is not all-powerful. However, for reasons known only to Him, He often allows what He hates to accomplish what He loves. Yes, life was simple, but there was no suffering. Paul alludes this in Galatians 6:2, when he writes, Bear one anothers burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. The church is not meant to be an association of loosely bound individuals but a community of individuals bound together. Pain stimulates the development of certain virtues in a Christians life. Here's the unalterable fact: Pain is often a central part of God's purpose in this world. Another unbiblical idea is that if a person is perfect and never (or rarely) does anything wrong, they wont suffer pain. 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. Where was that? Is it possible that He using pain for our good? Jeffery Curtis Poor | March 1, 2022May 17, 2021 | Featured, Following Jesus (Practical Faith), What Does the Bible Say About Why would a good God, a loving God, allow suffering to exist in this world? We can only see whats right in front of us. Is it possible that maybe something bigger is unfolding? Although I was only two years old, this pain resurfaced as I grew older. 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. If He's good, why allow pain and suffering? Think about your life. Or the millions that have no access to basic human needs. Almost all of which contain some kind of message that the pain they encountered ended up being a blessing, something they wouldnt trade. In the decades since, nearly 4,000 firemen and first responders have died from cancers and other 9/11-related medical conditions. Hope is not lost. But let's look at four specific biblical reasons why God ordains suffering for his people. Pain is a form of physical suffering that may be the result of injury, illness, genetics, or something else. He is a God of love, hope, and peace. If you want a larger picture about what the Bible says about pain you can read the verses here: Verses about pain. Pain and suffering was not present. Father. The Bible teaches that God is omnipotent and that no other being, whether a human or even Satan himself, can match or surpass his strength. This is not an extensive list, rather the top four things I think we should recognize. 3 Reasons God Is Allowing You to Emotionally Suffer by Mark Ballenger 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 Here are 3 possible reason God is allowing you to go through emotional suffering and pain in your life. So they were created with perfect bodies and godly minds capable of directing their desires and will, and reflecting Gods nature and His glory. Is it going to get worse? Want articles like this one delivered straight to your email? We should recognize that, but theres a larger point I want to make. Love cannot be forced, it must be chosen. So, will you let your pain teach you? Pain is meant to be a blessing. 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. God gave us free will and wants us to exercise it. It may be broad or acute, temporary or chronic, self-imposed or not. This verse doesnt mean that God wont give you more than you can handle. We demand answers and that God fixes our problem(s). The Bible chooses to focus more on the response to suffering rather than the causation. Although we cannot grasp the master plan of the universe, which allows for so much evil and pain (the Why? Instead, He forewarned the man and allowed him to decide for himself. It doesnt allow us to stay in neutral. But there is another possible answer: God's purpose for human beings is to bring them to know and love him. The end result is that He is redeeming and restoring all the evil, pain and suffering of this sin-sick world. Also see How to Ask God for Help to learn more. Just because He hasnt, doesnt mean He wont. We dont know the answer. And we may never know until God explains all things to us. Time stamps below. What were the catalysts that caused you to grow? 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). You see, God is working miracles through them to reach others who need to see and hear God's power working in the lives of others. There is joy and there is misery. God never wastes pain. Check out these great resources! Pain is a frontline defense of the body. It's one of the tools He uses to get stubborn sheep to greener pastures. Put your email in the box below! The assumption in that question is that we know better than God and that we are the center of importance. Pain will mold you and shape you into who God is creating you to be. Daniel's seminary degree is in Exegetical Theology. Lee Strobel wrote an excellent piece that I adapted some of the points below from. It will shed some light on the question we are asking. He was a pastor for 10 years. After realizing the weight of our decisions, we are then given the opportunity to grow wise or not, it depends on us. The Bible teaches that Satan is the author of sin. 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. And the Bible teaches us to bring this message to those in the midst of suffering. Until we place our trust that Gods plan is good, even when it doesnt seem to be, we will never be at peace with this question. All of our problems and our suffering, including death itself, are a result of man's rebellion against God. in a minute. 1: If God won't allow suffering, we will lose our FREE WILL. Lewis in A Mind Awake. When a member is down and discouraged, the church is called to lift that person up. Pain and suffering are realities in our everyday life. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Philip Yancey in The Question that Never Goes Awa, What Is Sin? But the God of the Bible charts a different course. Pain promotes humility. But God has provided a rescue in the Person of His Son, Jesus Christ. God allows pain in the lives of his children for various reasons. And if he's powerful, he'd be able to eradicate it, right? But love requires a choice. Trying to be more like Jesus each day. (Rom. The lives we live are a starch contrast to the stories we are drawn too. One day "there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain" (Revelation 21:4). Keep reading to explore the answers to these questions and many others. But until then, we are told to trust in His plan. I know most of us wouldnt say that. The Lord is sovereign and He controls all adversity in our lives. But there are pains that cause us to grow. Explore this snippet Tye Tribbett's sermon about pain and why God allows it! Pain, on the other hand, is good. Since suffering exists, the assumption is God is either loving but impotent, or powerful but calloused. We see that God actually comes to the planet, he actually lives among us so that he understands our suffering, our hurt, our pain. 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. In Genesis 1:31 God looks over His creation and declares it VERY good. The Bibles approach to the problem of suffering makes it clear that discernment is necessary every step of the way. Sin is sin, and will always have dire consequences. We get to choose. 52:13-53:12). We think pain is the enemy, something to be avoided. God uses pain, in part, to refine the hearts and minds of people. God designed humans to love. The closest he ever came was when he said, Show me why You contend with me (Job 10:2). Failing to recognize or master these things often creates suffering for others. How has pain caused growth in your life? If there was no sin in the world there would be no suffering. If youre going through a tough time, take heart. Or will we turn to God trusting that while things dont make sense now, one day God will reveal the grandeur picture? This idea is false. The book of Job offers great insight on the two ways we can choose to respond to suffering. Want to learn more about why does God allow suffering? Or, if God is all loving, then He cannot be all powerful, or He would do something about it. The Bible should always be our first stop in understanding God and the world around us. While God didnt create suffering, He is in the business of redeeming it. Suffering happens in community and we have a responsibility to be of support and aid to those who are suffering around us. God says, I love you. Job 1:11-12). Actually theres a fundamental flaw in that question. Jesus told his followers, "Go and make disciples of all nations.". Whatever its source, nature, and prognosis, pain sometimes leads people to question God. Many have walked away from their faith because of the suffering theyve experienced. Failure as the end. But the creatures are not happy. In order to address the reasons why God allows pain and suffering, we need to consider the source of evil. In doing so they broke the perfect communion that they had with God and plunged the world into sin and darkness. God uses pain to conform us more into the image of his Son. We all face suffering in some way, shape or form. While this may be a hard truth to understand, suffering is that it prepares Christians for more glory. The more acutely we see our need, the more likely we are to seek His face. At the time there was no chaos, no pain, no suffering. And the list could go on and on and on. Our loving and merciful God has a perfect plan to use that suffering to accomplish His threefold purpose. The answer to this question is that none of us are truly innocent or undeserving. The comfort of God that we can extend to others isnt limited to the church and is not limited to shared experience. In suffering there is a message of unity. Acts of God: Why Does God Allow So Much Pain? 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. But God has provided a rescue in the Person of His Son, Jesus Christ. One of our cultural values is freedom. Now we ask: what's the role of God in the coming of death and pain in the world? I dont understand all the things that are happening in my life, but, O God, I trust in You. 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. lets look at what the Bible says about suffering. 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. Or God may know a danger lurking in the job . Reasons for Hope* Jesus is donor supported. Allow me to ask you this. We, like Cain must battle our fear, insecurity, shame, resentment and anger. The Bible doesnt diminish our experience of suffering. To become better at your job? Sometimes Gods people experience pain and the reasons arent known. Is Leonard Cohens Hallelujah a Christian Song? Theres a larger story unfolding that you and I are not privy too. Like this one delivered straight to your email God raised Him from Hebrew. A refuge for those who are suffering around us, if God &... 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