Daniel's seminary degree is in Exegetical Theology. Life is not simple. Job never asked why those things were happening to him. But would that really be good? We need your help to keep our site ad-free. Virtually every passage on suffering in the New Testament deflects the emphasis from cause to response. We also know that God created man with a free will giving Adam and Eve the ability to make choices. Local: 704-401-2432 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. Yet, we know all too well in our world pain can quickly move to suffering. Contact Us. Suffering produces growth and maturity (James 1:2-4). Why is God letting this happen? In doing so, we get to know the consequences of what we choose to do and realize that our free will is not something to take lightly. Physical death is just the death of the body, but the spirit lives on. Here are five biblical reasons why God allows suffering. This is at no cost to you and helps keep Rethink up and running. That's why Christ died on the cross. Human suffering remains meaningless and barren unless we have some assurance that God is sympathetic to our pain, and can somehow heal the pain. 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. Social sharing is permitted. If you are in the middle of suffering I would encourage you to go read: Why Did Jesus Weep? Suffering carries a message of mystery. We think pain is the enemy, something to be avoided. Jesus prayed that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You (John 17:21). Challenges as something to be avoided. But God has revealed answers through the Bible and through the Person of His Son, Jesus Christ. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 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. question), we can nevertheless respond in two important ways. When we suddenly bear an affliction, our pride, impatience, and unbelief will often surface. Ive been there. We, like Cain must battle our fear, insecurity, shame, resentment and anger. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28201 God is working all things, even the bad things, for our benefit. Why is there pain in the world? I want to forgive you. 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). Thanks to us, the moral . Unbelievers sometimes experience pain because of sin in their life. God designed humans to love. Trials take our minds off of things of the world and put them back on the Lord. Colossians 4:2 "Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.". 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). I want you to go to heaven. But you must respond to Him. The Bible actually does the opposite, it promises that we will experience pain in this life. These stories liter our feeds on social media and are in almost every movie Hollywood makes. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). If you listen pain will tell you something. Friends, we live in a broken world marred with sin. Instead, he responds with, Im with you. 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 link to Is There Anything Too Hard for God. He uses it to remove sin from our lives and to make us more into the image of Christ. Why does God allow suffering? (see 2 Corinthians 12:9). Reasons God allows pain in the life of unbelievers include showing them their need for God and as judgment for sin. God took the initiative in giving His Son, Jesus Christ. Will Graham Devotion: 3 Reminders in Your Suffering, Will Graham Devotion: Suffering for Jesus. So what should we do the next time we experience some kind of pain? God is redeeming all things for His good and our benefit. The Bible says, Great is the mystery of godliness (1 Timothy 3:16). Pain is a frontline defense of the body. In this article on what of focus on our response to pain and how its a good thing. Its pain that will grow you. Cancer Patient's Pain and Suffering show their faith in action to you. He was a pastor for 10 years. "Sorrowful yet always rejoicing.". We give up too easily. So before we dive into the specific question of why does God allow suffering? Beliefnet is a lifestyle website providing feature editorial content around the topics of inspiration, spirituality, health, wellness, love and family, news and entertainment. Its temporary. Again the question not so quietly arises. Human experience also argues against this false idea, as followers of Christ suffer at the same rate as non-believers. And I get that. Because He allows us to have free choiceto be humans and not preprogrammed robots. Rather it focuses on how we should respond. He set out on a path to redeem humanity. I remember early in my life when my mother walked out on our family. Because of love. The church is also meant to be a refuge for those who are suffering. Romans 3:23 says "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.". Pain is not a danger to avoid. "But if God is not the author of pain and suffering where did it come from? Moral evil is the immorality and pain and suffering and tragedy that come because we choose to be selfish, arrogant, uncaring, hateful and abusive. Pain and a loving God can co-exist. Dont forget to share your thoughts! And the Bible teaches us to bring this message to those in the midst of suffering. But man rebelled against God. 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. People are going to watch us as 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). Pain, on the other hand, is good. The Bible says, It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment (Hebrews 9:27). This was a mission destined to have failure in it. 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. 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. The Enigma of Suicide: Answers From Billy Graham. Jesus told his followers, "Go and make disciples of all nations.". Pastor. Many times God brings good from our chronic pain by teaching us to rely more on Him. In Jesus, we have that assurance.". Genesis 1:31 says God saw all that He had made and it was very good," he continued. He will set all things right in the end. Suffering exists because the story is not over. We have to ask ourselves if we trust that Gods plan is good, even if at the moment it doesnt seem good. What significance do colors have in the Bible? Pain alerts us something is wrong and we need to stop or seek help. Some respondents said their pain was the result of their own choices, while others said it wasnt. 1 Peter 2:19-21. @ 2021-2023 Copyright | All Right Reserved. Am I being punished? I saw compassion in action. 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. Still, what did God do after Adam and Eve fell? He knows what you are experiencing and wants to walk with you through it. Also see How To Listen To God to learn more. Although I was only two years old, this pain resurfaced as I grew older. We ask why does God allow suffering because we need to express our emotions. You might also like: 7 Surprising Truths About Death. First, He uses pain and suffering to draw us to Himself so that we will cling to Him. 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).. This question takes on a whole different (and painful) reality when we are the ones suffering. Personal Pain. Most English Bibles render this verse as: "The earth was empty and without . Let me offer three answers: 1) To let us see the gravity of our choices. But God wasnt taken aback or surprised. The problem is, you and I are stuck with an extremely limited view. This is at no cost to you and helps keep Rethink up and running. But in the meantime, we do not suffer alone. 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. Betrayal leaves many wondering if they will ever be whole again. He clothed them (see Genesis 3:21). 3 Reasons Why God Allows Pain And Failure In Our Lives, Virginia Gov. God sometimes allows pain in the lives of believers, including as a consequence of their own choices, in order to discipline them. Many have walked away from their faith because of the suffering theyve experienced. He didnt avoid it, he used it. But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. Explore this snippet Tye Tribbett's sermon about pain and why God allows it! I dont understand all the things that are happening in my life, but, O God, I trust in You. While God didnt create suffering, He is in the business of redeeming it. 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.". Pain, on the other hand, is good. One important answer to this question is to say they should imitate Christ, who suffered more than anyone. How should Christians respond to pain, suffering, and evil in the world? Ask God to help you have a trusting, patient attitude, and flee from bitterness. Pain, in part, is an opportunity to follow in the steps of Christ, imitate his righteousness, resolve, and faithfulness to the Father. 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. Love cannot exist without freedom and freedom carries the risk of pain and suffering. Read this: When it feels like God has forgotten about you. But what we don't usually look for is God's purpose for our weaknesses in the lives of others. If it did would you share this post with a friend or two? We ought to say, O God, I believe You are the great and mighty God. Will we turn from God because we think Hes not good, not loving, not trustworthy because of our pain? Want to learn more about 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. Reconciling how a good and loving God could allow such pain in their lives (or someone close) is difficult. So, lets look at what suffering is and how a good God can allow suffering to exist. If God is good, why do people suffer? Let me explain. Abraham's Bosom? Suffering reveals the true worth of what many people are striving to buy and achieve. Pain is a blessing. Sign up for Rethink Updates and youll also get access to 3 exclusive articles! Why Does God Allow Pain and Suffering? To become better at your job? Can Gods children avoid pain? This idea is false. [12] Suffering seems meaningless and cruel when not taken in the context of faith. There could be no "bad, worse, and unconscionable.". Do God's children experience pain? Also see Why Does God Let People Suffer? Rather, pain has a purpose and is a blessing. We all face suffering in some way, shape or form. Satan deceived Eve and she ate the forbidden fruit, and gave some to her husband who also ate. First, we can find meaning in the midst of suffering. He created, gave life, put order, assigned man to govern everything, and warned him of the danger that eating what is forbidden brings. Thanks for reading! Man stayed awake by day and slept at night, and had a full day to rest at the end of the week. 1: If God won't allow suffering, we will lose our FREE WILL. And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; 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 morning. One of our cultural values is freedom. Instead, He forewarned the man and allowed him to decide for himself. God Loves Me. Not only can pain and love co-exist but when you choose to love you risk pain. 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. We love stories of other peoples suffering being used for good. Writer. Thats what faith demands, believing in advance what will only make sense in reverse. The Lord is sovereign and He controls all adversity in our lives. Billy Graham 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. Writer. For God, love is a higher priority than comfort, enjoyment, and even happiness. Suffering because we need to stop or seek help made and it was very good, why do people?... Suffered more than anyone Bible actually does the opposite, it is appointed men! 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