In the Bible you will find the answers to the questions and the problems of your life. While that might sound like a good thing, its not, its more like hell living in this world without pain. When we experience pain we need to pause and ask ourselves, what is this pain telling me? But the creatures are not happy. In Jesus, we have that assurance.". 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. It either drives us closer to God or makes us bitter at God. Pain produces holy attributes in the life of a believer like endurance, character, hope, and steadfastness. In suffering there is a message of unity. Suffering holds a message of comfort. to learn more. Of course, we knew the consequences of free will. So they were created with perfect bodies and godly minds capable of directing their desires and will, and reflecting Gods nature and His glory. And it is the Cross, more than anything else, that has called me inexorably to Christ.. 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. God's wrath is righteous. Social sharing is permitted. Its also important that we recognize that our suffering doesnt happen without purpose. But theres a flaw in that question. Please see his About page for details. Pain will mold you and shape you into who God is creating you to be. This verse doesnt mean that God wont give you more than you can handle. God uses pain to conform us more into the image of his Son. Also see How to Ask God for Help to learn more. Where did OT Saints go at death? God is redeeming all things for His good and our benefit. The Lord is sovereign and He controls all adversity in our lives. We think theres no way something good could come from our suffering. Yet God doesn't always demonstrate his power and the Bible Long before people in the twenty-first century asked questions about God and suffering, faithful men and women in the Bible had been wrestling with them. He confirms that the world is fallen because we are out of the relationship with God that we are meant to live in. Thats why Christ died on the cross. The church is also meant to be a refuge for those who are suffering. Dont forget to share your thoughts! To become better at your job? Will I ever get better? 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. Pain and suffering are realities in our everyday life. Here are five biblical reasons why God allows suffering. First, we need to define the difference between pain and suffering. But thats how we are acting, isnt it? Everything we see and experience, from illnesses and injuries to grievous injustices and moral decay, are the result of a fallen world. Permissions Do Gods children experience pain? 20. 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. 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.". What mentality should believers have toward pain? This is how we come to understand our experience and to receive comfort and strength from those who listen and care for us. People often hold only one view of suffering; however, the Bible does not have one approach to suffering but many. Sometimes it's simply for his glory and our good. As a spiritual advice columnist, I am frequently asked why God allows suffering. Which I think is why God rarely responds to our demands for answers when we are suffering. Yes, God the Father remained good through it all. Reason no. Pain is a blessing. There is pleasure and there is pain. Find hope, peace, and security today. The reality is our understanding of God, of suffering, and of love are all severely limited. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. At the first sign of a headache, we pop a few Tylenol. According to a recent report, 1 in 3 Americans take pain medication every day. C.S. When we grow wise through experience, we can become a people able and willing to choose what pleases the Lord. The Bibles approach to the problem of suffering makes it clear that discernment is necessary every step of the way. Yet, God will carry us through some of the darkest seasons of our lives to show His incredible love for us. One way is to curse God because of our suffering and the other is to praise God, even in the midst of our suffering. Allow me to ask you this. Believers are saved but not fully sanctified. Thankfully the Bible offers a better answer to the question: why does God allow suffering? 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. Our culture is both obsessed with pain and terrified of it at the same time. However, for reasons known only to Him, He often allows what He hates to accomplish what He loves. Thats why He rose from the dead. Pain alerts us something is wrong and we need to stop or seek help. Please help us share God's truths and hope in Christ. For now, in this life, we see things imperfectly. It doesnt allow us to stay in neutral. Because of love. Theres a larger story unfolding that you and I are not privy too. 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. Philip Yancey in The Question that Never Goes Awa, What Is Sin? 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. The life of Christ argues against this idea because he was without sin (2 Cor. How has pain caused growth in your life? Of course, its not just physical pain that brings about suffering, nonphysical suffering is often silent, but just as painful. Life is not simple. It's common to wonder if our suffering is God's Will. 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. We might not like it, but it protects us and produces good things in us. Paul writes, We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose, (Romans 8:28). And the list could go on and on and on. He uses it to remove sin from our lives and to make us more into the image of Christ. 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. Some of the most faithful believers in the Bible experienced pain. 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. The assumption is that the story is over. God allows and sometimes even causes pain in our lives. There is a mystery as to why He put people on this earth. To pick up one theme of suffering in Scripture is to miss the entire picture. So lets dive a little deeper into why does God allow suffering? The problem is our culture sees pain as the enemy. Pain and suffering are realities in our everyday life. Hope is not lost. Jesus is the prime example of this. Husband. And our actions brought evil and suffering into the world. The devil said to God, If You take all those possessions away from him, hell curse You and turn from You. But God replied, You can do anything to him, except you cant kill him, and then well see (Cf. We are obsessed with stories of people overcoming pain. Keep reading to explore the answers to these questions and many others. Billy Graham But there is another possible answer: God's purpose for human beings is to bring them to know and love him. I remember asking God why He allowed pain and suffering on two occasions in my life. Human suffering remains meaningless and barren unless we have some assurance that God is sympathetic to our pain, and can somehow heal the pain. Why is there pain in the world? Romans 3:23 says "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.". Pain is, in most cases, a good thing. He never allows Satan, nor circumstances, nor any ill-intending person to afflict us unless He uses that affliction for our good. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Time stamps below. Reconciling how a good and loving God could allow such pain in their lives (or someone close) is difficult. Their minds were created to be governed by communion with God through the power of the Holy Spirit. When the complexity of suffering rears us its head, we will find ourselves ill-equipped to deal with the ramifications. The problem is often in our world pain can quickly move to suffering. You and I are not the center. Pain is not a danger to avoid. Contact Us. Rather, pain has a purpose and is a blessing. When will this end? Failure as the end. The Bible spends much its time reminding us that our suffering is not meaningless, there is hope. Jesus sees pain as an avenue for growth. question), we can nevertheless respond in two important ways. Without it, we cannot truly experience love. Yes, the innocent suffer (see Job 1-2 ), but God can redeem that suffering. Job 1:11-12). The Bible says, Great is the mystery of godliness (1 Timothy 3:16). 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. The Bible doesnt diminish our experience of suffering. But first we need to understand what suffering is and isnt. We rebelled against God, and still do. His desire is that no one would perish, but that everyone would be reunited with Him (1 Peter 3:9). Drop a comment down below! Suffering produces growth and maturity (James 1:2-4). God came to earth and suffered with us in His pursuit of us. 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. Have You Read Jesus Last Will and Testament? The pain that will not go away, that keeps us in bed, ravages our body, and takes everything of joy from our life. Writer. Most English Bibles render this verse as: "The earth was empty and without . It's an unavoidable chance you take if you want to experience love. Now we ask: what's the role of God in the coming of death and pain in the world? Paul writes, This 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. God May Be Allowing This Emotional Suffering in Your Life Because He Wants a Deeper Relationship with You One important answer to this question is to say they should imitate Christ, who suffered more than anyone. 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). Back to our question about why God allows pain and suffering. The Bible says, It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment (Hebrews 9:27). 52:13-53:12). I want to forgive you. Read this: When it feels like God has forgotten about you. Do Gods children experience pain? Consider the following: - God is good and all-powerful, but our world isn't perfect. 1. Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble" ( John 16:33 ). Explore this snippet Tye Tribbett's sermon about pain and why God allows it! God may use physical evil to chastise individuals or nations and lead them to repent ( Isaiah 45:7, Genesis 6:13, Acts 13:9-11 ). Here are two possible answers: It's God's job to keep human beings happy, comfortable and pain-free. Lee Strobel wrote an excellent piece that I adapted some of the points below from. For more about the effects of sin and the work of Jesus check out: What Is Sin? This answers the question, 'Why didn't God create a world where people don't suffer?' "The answer is He did. Is Leonard Cohens Hallelujah a Christian Song? If the Bible offers a range of perspectives on God and suffering, then we must be willing to sort and weigh them when we are faced with difficulty. Pain is a form of physical suffering that may be the result of injury, illness, genetics, or something else. As fire swept through the MGM Grand Hotel, I saw the emergency crews, the military people, The Salvation Army, the Red Cross, the doctors, the nurses and the people coming to donate clothes and food. Its a painful picture of what we must give up to follow Jesus. But often doubt that God can use our suffering for anything of value. My answer is simple: God doesn't allow suffering, God is suffering. Acts of God: Why Does God Allow So Much Pain? Suffering spurs us to action. Paul points to this mindset in 1 Corinthians 13:12. Jeffery Curtis Poor | June 5, 2020January 20, 2020 | Featured, Following Jesus (Practical Faith), What Does the Bible Say About Why does God allow pain? God designed humans to love. I've been there. Husband. Therefore He never gives us anything for which He does not provide what we need to deal with it. Suffering prepares us in a way that a life without suffering never could. To understand what I mean, consider four verses from the Hebrew Bible. He set out on a path to redeem humanity. Nevertheless, Satan was allowed access to the earth, and he tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden. And I get that. One of the greatest gifts of God is free will. Praise the Lord that He provided forgiveness of sin to all who repent and trust in Christ. God allows pain in the life of an unbeliever so that they will become a believer. The pain is a defense mechanism that keeps you from further harm. For humans, there is a mystery as to why God created the earth. Betrayal leaves many wondering if they will ever be whole again. Pastor. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affliliate links, meaning I get a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links. And if he's powerful, he'd be able to eradicate it, right? The disease that ravages our body. Our first reaction to pain is to run from it, dull it, or to avoid it. Why God Allows Suffering One of the most brutal truths to understand about God is why He allows pain and suffering. Also see How To Listen To God to learn more. He created the earth, and all that is in it, to be in perfect harmony with His character and nature. Reasons for Hope* Jesus, Yes, send me answers to interesting and challenging questions about Jesus and the Bible. This verse doesnt mean that God wont give you more than you can handle. They are a silent testimony of healing and wholeness that enable one to invite God to be present in the pain of another. You can check it out here: Lee Strobel Reflecting On A Mass Shooting. Challenges as something to be avoided. What were the catalysts that caused you to grow? But thats exactly what God is in the business of doing. 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. In the beginning, God created a world absent of suffering. The good news is that even though we royally screwed up. For now, we must hold onto the hope that our suffering is temporary. Please click here to learn how. Remember that in Genesis 1:31, God looked over His creation and called it "good.". Suffering was the cost to God of forgiveness. These stories liter our feeds on social media and are in almost every movie Hollywood makes. If it did would you share this post with a friend or two? Also see Why Does God Let People Suffer? One day it will all make sense. 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. There is joy and there is misery. Sin is sin, and will always have dire consequences. If we seek God, He is faithful and He will provide. Now you ask, why does God allow pain, suffering, and failure in our lives? Pain and suffering was not present. Rather, Satan questioned Jehovah's right to rule. If youre going through a tough time, take heart. (John 17), Thats My King! Grief causes ones life to halt and become devoid of meaning. So, why does God allow pain? 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. You can feel for them in that suffering situation. That explains where pain and suffering came from, but it does not answer the question, why does God allow pain and suffering?. We demand answers and that God fixes our problem(s). For to this you have been called, because Christ also . Its a common question that is used to argue that either God is not all-good or He is not all-powerful. As a professor, he has taught Bible and theology courses at two Christian universities. Conclusion. How should Christians respond to pain, suffering, and evil in the world? Sanctified afflictions are spiritual promotions.. Reasons for Hope* Jesus exists to glorify God by equipping you to know Jesus better, to love Jesus more & to share your faith. The problem is, you and I are stuck with an extremely limited view. Its through pain that we will grow and develop into who God has created us to be. When the dross floats to the surface, God skims it off; he purifies and refines us to be the radiant bride of Christ. 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. Although we cannot grasp the master plan of the universe, which allows for so much evil and pain (the Why? If God is good, the thinking goes, he would eliminate pain and suffering. That is not at all who He is. God is all-powerful. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. God never wastes pain. An accident that leads to lifelong pain. Evil words and actions have left great marks on our hearts, minds and bodies. God Has Experienced Suffering and Understands Your Pain God's Will and Human Suffering A World Without Suffering God's Plan to End Suffering God Cares About Your Suffering Jesus Shows How Much God Cares God Cares About Suffering: Big or Small How God Shows His Goodness Amid Suffering You Can Turn to God in Your Suffering Suffering as a Christian Our unwillingness to face our pain is a far greater danger than the pain itself. The problem is our culture sees pain as the enemy. The Bible teaches that Satan is the author of sin. For God, love is a higher priority than comfort, enjoyment, and even happiness. 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 might also like: 7 Surprising Truths About Death. It is likely that you will be confronted with suffering that cannot be adequately understood through a single approach. Pastors know well that no two people under their care are in the same place . Cancer Patient's Pain and Suffering show their faith in action to you. But the point is in our fallen world sometimes pain turns to suffering. We ought to say, O God, I believe You are the great and mighty God. As Christians, we need to listen to the whole biblical narrative to appreciate its multifaceted handling of the problem. Until we understand that there are things we will not see this side of heaven, this question will cause us to stumble. I mean seriously, whats the point of pain? Believe that in your pain and suffering, God is ever present. The point Im trying to make is that until we put God at the center, we will struggle with this question of why suffering exists. We get to choose. He sees our life every day and knows exactly where we stand. It's a book for everyone, and it releases tomorrow from Dutton. While God didnt create suffering, He is in the business of redeeming it. Let me explain. God says, I love you. Each of us knows firsthand what it means to suffer as a result of someone elses sin. Pauls idea is not that we must suffer the same thing as another person in order to minister the hope and comfort of God. Before we go any further we need to define the difference between pain and suffering. God didn't stop Adam from sinning (see Genesis 3:1-9 in context). Twice in the verse below Paul states that the reason for his thorn in the flesh was to keep him from becoming conceited. We too have played the role of sinner, harming others with the choices we make. 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. He created, gave life, put order, assigned man to govern everything, and warned him of the danger that eating what is forbidden brings. And the list goes on. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.. And lets not forget Point 2, its not pointless. God permits moral evil to the extent that He gives us free will. 1: If God won't allow suffering, we will lose our FREE WILL. Then we will be able to see the whole story and how masterfully it was written and how much love God has for us. The truth is: If God can't somehow love you through the pain and suffering, then He shields you from it. Why does God allow suffering and evil? It's common to wonder if our suffering is God's Will. Its important that we recognize that suffering is a battleground. We are missing out on something that God wants to teach us, grow in us, or mature us in. Because we have been comforted through the Word of God, we in turn may be able to comfort others. If you let it. Weve established why pain and suffering exists, but we also know that God has the power to stop pain and suffering. 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. 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. An accident that leads to lifelong pain. Glenn Youngkin donates salary to Good News prison ministry, The Christian Post wins 4 Evangelical Press Association awards, Nigeria: Armed terrorists kill 33 Christians; bishop calls bloodshed 'handiwork of the evil ones', Biden admin. God Loves Me. Help me get equipped andbe encouraged so I am empowered to know, live, and share my faith. Second, we can offer real and practical help to those in need. So much of the world's suffering results from the sinful action or inaction of ourselves and others. There is no indication in Pauls description that God was chastising him for sin. And the Bible teaches us to bring this message to those in the midst of suffering. Some respondents said their pain was the result of their own choices, while others said it wasnt. 5:21) yet experienced indescribable pain and suffering (e.g. Its pain that will grow you. 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Pain has a way of cracking open the heart, laying . If we run from our pain we are missing out on growth opportunities. If you are in the middle of suffering I would encourage you to go read: Why Did Jesus Weep? Sometimes the emotional or physical pain of suffering is prolonged. In these verses, Paul is referring to multiple types of suffering mental, physical, emotional and spiritual. To mature from a teen to an adult? All content on this site is copyrighted. God sees and understands what we cannot. I saw compassion in action. Anne Graham Lotz: What Impossible Situation Are You Facing? Much pain consequently comes from our sin, but not all pain does. 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. Where was that? Also see Where Is God When Im Scared? God is restoring creation to His original design. We all too often try to understand and explain pain and suffering as being a consequence of our behavior and sometimes it is. But would that really be good? But love requires a choice. One day "there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain" (Revelation 21:4). Sin is the reason that we have afflictions, including death. #christianyoutubechannel #viral #tyetribbett #pain This question takes on a whole different (and painful) reality when we are the ones suffering. But reason and facts do little in bringing peace and comfort in the midst of suffering. Everyday life professor, He & # x27 ; s pain and suffering as being a consequence our! Cases why does god allow pain a good and loving God could allow such pain in our world... Confirms that the world to redeem humanity of Jesus check out: what 's the role of God it. Whole story and how much love God has forgotten about you overcoming pain thats! 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