why does god allow pain

why does god allow pain2020/09/28

We dont know the answer. And we may never know until God explains all things to us. God didn't stop Adam from sinning (see Genesis 3:1-9 in context). We too have played the role of sinner, harming others with the choices we make. The pain is a defense mechanism that keeps you from further harm. Theres also pain and suffering that occurs from the consequences of our sin or when we are a victim of anothers sinful actions. What makes this experience complex is the fact that when suffering comes, several of these types of suffering are often involved which can take a major toll on our spirit. That's what a lot of people assume is meant by God being 'loving'. He sees our life every day and knows exactly where we stand. The Fullness, Freeness, and Immutability of the Saviors Grace, by James Smith (1802-1862). In other words, Christians still sin. Sunday | 221 views, 5 likes, 12 loves, 34 comments, 1 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Twilight Missionary Baptist Church Halifax NC: Join in and fellowship with us on this lovely 3rd Sunday The Bible teaches that we are to be patient in suffering. Its a painful picture of what we must give up to follow Jesus. Ask God to help you have a trusting, patient attitude, and flee from bitterness. Many have this faulty view that when we follow God we are promised a good life, a pain-free life. God enters into our suffering in his pursuit of us. And if he's powerful, he'd be able to eradicate it, right? 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. Is it going to get worse? Drop a comment down below! I hope that this teaching on why does God allow suffering helped you rethink parts of your life and faith. 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. So lets dive a little deeper into why does God allow suffering? Help me get equipped andbe encouraged so I am empowered to know, live, and share my faith. Failing to recognize or master these things often creates suffering for others. Let me offer three answers: 1) To let us see the gravity of our choices. God sometimes allows pain in the lives of believers, including as a consequence of their own choices, in order to discipline them. The problem is often in our world pain can quickly move to suffering. We also know that God created man with a free will giving Adam and Eve the ability to make choices. Which I think is why God rarely responds to our demands for answers when we are suffering. Privacy For humans, there is a mystery as to why God created the earth. Telling someone youre with them and all hope is not lost goes a lot further. 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. I want to forgive you. For now, we must hold onto the hope that our suffering is temporary. For to this you have been called, because Christ also . If God is good, the thinking goes, he would eliminate pain and suffering. Where did OT Saints go at death? When the question is raised, why does God allow pain and suffering? its usually because we feel pain and suffering is unjust. Pain has a way of showing people the futility of material possessions, unholy ambition, and wealth. But we shouldnt run from pain. Hope is not lost. Philip Yancey in The Question that Never Goes Awa, What Is Sin? Personal Pain. However, God allows Christians to suffer for reasons that go beyond the curse. In the beginning, all of creation reflected Gods glory. Almost all of which contain some kind of message that the pain they encountered ended up being a blessing, something they wouldnt trade. Weve established why pain and suffering exists, but we also know that God has the power to stop pain and suffering. Third, our attitude in suffering should glorify God. He clothed them (see Genesis 3:21). Not only can pain and love co-exist but when you choose to love you risk pain. Friends, we live in a broken world marred with sin. Suffering spurs us to action. He never allows Satan, nor circumstances, nor any ill-intending person to afflict us unless He uses that affliction for our good. 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). lets look at what the Bible says about suffering. We love stories of other peoples suffering being used for good. I think the reason so many of us struggle with this question of suffering is that we cant trust God. In this article on what of focus on our response to pain and how its a good thing. He might not keep usfrompain and suffering but He will keep us (hold us and care for us)inour pain and suffering. Thats why Christ died on the cross. 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). Suffering will force us to move, we dont get to decide that. But love requires a choice. Social sharing is permitted. Just pray more. In a universe with no ultimate standard of good, there could be no "good, better, and best.". The hope and peace we so desperately seek is not found in stopping every bad thing from . I mean seriously, whats the point of pain? He uses it to remove sin from our lives and to make us more into the image of Christ. The people surveyed reported that pain limits their activity three days per week on average. Also see How To Listen To God to learn more. For now, in this life, we see things imperfectly. These are questions central to the Christian faith, and questions that have not gone unexplored in the cannon of Christian philosophy. The Bible clearly teaches that isnt true. Some of the most faithful believers in the Bible experienced pain. Let me explain. If youre going through a tough time, take heart. It's an unavoidable chance you take if you want to experience love. Explore this snippet Tye Tribbett's sermon about pain and why God allows it! God is still pursuing His people. Of course, its not just physical pain that brings about suffering, nonphysical suffering is often silent, but just as painful. 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. A headache might tell you that you are dehydrated. (Lamentations 3:23), 2023 All Rights Reserved. And our actions brought evil and suffering into the world. And the list could go on and on and on. For more about the effects of sin and the work of Jesus check out: What Is Sin? What mentality should believers have toward pain? Human suffering remains meaningless and barren unless we have some assurance that God is sympathetic to our pain, and can somehow heal the pain. Many of us think that if God is so good, why would He allow us to undergo pain and suffer failures in our lives. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. The lives we live are a starch contrast to the stories we are drawn too. Pain, suffering, and evil come into the ultimately because of sin. When we encounter a difficult, or painful, situation our first reaction often is to run. 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. This idea is false. Why do you allow so much pain?" Be it a job loss, illness, or loss of a spouse or child, these are questions we've all had. 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. Why does God allow suffering?". Pain is meant to be a blessing. Then we will be able to see the whole story and how masterfully it was written and how much love God has for us. 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.". And the Bible teaches us to bring this message to those in the midst of suffering. Dont forget to leave a comment! When a member is down and discouraged, the church is called to lift that person up. Man is not the centre. 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. Giving People a Theology of Suffering. Why does God allow suffering? The pain that will not go away, that keeps us in bed, ravages our body, and takes everything of joy from our life. First, we can find meaning in the midst of suffering. You and I are not the center. Or the millions that have no access to basic human needs. Isa. And thats the Gospel, right? God allows pain so people can serve others well. But God has provided a rescue in the Person of His Son, Jesus Christ. Thousands of years later He would give up His one and only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, for us to be saved from sin and be restored to Him who loved us so much (see John 3:16). Rather, Satan questioned Jehovah's right to rule. I dont understand all the things that are happening in my life, but, O God, I trust in You. 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). Until we understand that there are things we will not see this side of heaven, this question will cause us to stumble. 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. 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. Many agnostics believe that God is a punishing, vengeful being indifferent to our pains and suffering. C.S. 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. Jesus himself never answers the question of why bad things happen in this world, other than to confirm that they will continue to happen. Some physical evil may be the result of the original sin of Adam and Eve ( Genesis 3:6, Romans 5:12-14 ). Actually theres a fundamental flaw in that question. I remember asking God why He allowed pain and suffering on two occasions in my life. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. Solicitation Disclosure Statement While God didnt create suffering, He is in the business of redeeming it. But man rebelled against God. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. And I get that. In the beginning, God created a world absent of suffering. To pick up one theme of suffering in Scripture is to miss the entire picture. We think pain is the enemy, something to be avoided. Sometimes the emotional or physical pain of suffering is prolonged. "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 . Colossians 4:2 "Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.". Hope youll give us another try and check out some other articles. Because we have been comforted through the Word of God, we in turn may be able to comfort others. God gave us free will and wants us to exercise it. 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. The good news is that even though we royally screwed up. Moody. Each of us knows firsthand what it means to suffer as a result of someone elses sin. First, we need to define the difference between pain and suffering. We know that pain and suffering was not part of Gods plan. If you touch a hot stove your body reacts with pain that causes you to quickly move your hand. But pain isnt our enemy. See you next time! If God is good, why do people suffer? The truth is: If God can't somehow love you through the pain and suffering, then He shields you from it. The assumption is that the story is over. Dont forget to share your thoughts! One important answer to this question is to say they should imitate Christ, who suffered more than anyone. Pain promotes humility. I could go on, but I think you get the picture. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Why does God allow suffering? Jesus suffered and died for us on the cross, but God raised Him from the dead. 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. That means we can choose to sin, and the natural consequence of disobedience to God's beneficial laws is suffering. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affliliate links, meaning I get a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links. Suffering can show up in many ways. If we run from our pain we are missing out on growth opportunities. One possible answer is that goes back to Point 1 is His love. There is pleasure and there is pain. When Satan led Adam and Eve into disobeying Jehovah, an important question was raised. But Jesus sent them anyway. What Im about to say will be of little, or maybe no, help/comfort to those currently suffering. My answer is simple: God doesn't allow suffering, God is suffering. We decide where we move too. Although I was only two years old, this pain resurfaced as I grew older. 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. But thats how we are acting, isnt it? Pain is a frontline defense of the body. Check out these great resources! The Bibles approach to the problem of suffering makes it clear that discernment is necessary every step of the way. It can continue for weeks, months, even years. At the time there was no chaos, no pain, no suffering. Ultimately God's plan will put an end to murder, cancer, tragic accidents, loneliness, sadness, depression, and grief. When God created mankind, He intended for us to live in perfect harmony with Him, without pain, suffering or evil. If you want more about Gods response to the pain we face check out: Why Did Jesus Weep. April 16, 2021 The gift of free will was given to the first human parents, Adam and Eve. When we think of suffering, we often think of God being far away from us. C.S. Yet, God will carry us through some of the darkest seasons of our lives to show His incredible love for us. God allows pain and suffering and evil because He has a plan, and He's working His plan. 2. But God wasnt taken aback or surprised. Nevertheless, the examples provided are clearly taught in Scripture. Through free will, we have the freedom to do what we want and whatever pleases us. Husband. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). Paul points to this mindset in 1 Corinthians 13:12. What caused you to appreciate life more? This verse doesnt mean that God wont give you more than you can handle. We do know that His ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:9), and we can nevercompletely understand the mind or will of God (Romans 11:33-34). Mathew Henry writes, Extraordinary afflictions are not always the punishment of extraordinary sins, but sometimes the trial of extraordinary graces. God Loves Me. One way is to curse God because of our suffering and the other is to praise God, even in the midst of our suffering. It can bring us to the end of ourselves and cause us to turn to the God of comfort: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. An expensive speeding ticket is a result of breaking a traffic law. Suffering happens in community and we have a responsibility to be of support and aid to those who are suffering around us. You can feel for them in that suffering situation. Satan did not call into question Jehovah's power. Maybe we are thinking about pain in the wrong light. First, He uses pain and suffering to draw us to Himself so that we will cling to Him. Again the question not so quietly arises. God allows pain in the life of a believer, so they will know him better. Now the earth was tohu va-vohu Genesis 1:2. Virtually every passage on suffering in the New Testament deflects the emphasis from cause to response. He uses it to test our faith, discipline us, and to grow our character. Why does God allow evil, pain, and suffering? What Happens When You Come to the End of Yourself? In suffering there is also, I believe, a message of warning. For God, love is a higher priority than comfort, enjoyment, and even happiness. There has to be something more than just something we have to bear. But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. He will set all things right in the end. For the purposes of this article, we should not mix the two. Why is there pain in the world? Acts of God: Why Does God Allow So Much Pain? Still, what did God do after Adam and Eve fell? An accident that leads to lifelong pain. To be honest about it, I've asked that question myself. There is joy and there is misery. 2023 BGEA What Does it Mean to Taste and See that the Lord is Good? There is sweetness and there is suffering. Also see How Can You Get Right With God? Daniel's seminary degree is in Exegetical Theology. Do God's children experience pain? Paradoxically, love is the greater reason, and God will allow His creation to go through anything in the name of love. Everything we see and experience, from illnesses and injuries to grievous injustices and moral decay, are the result of a fallen world. God says, I love you. Now you ask, why does God allow pain, suffering, and failure in our lives? 1:18-19) The debased minds of the wicked are evidence of human rebellion . Pain and suffering are realities in our everyday life. Thats why its so important to not run away from failures, challenges, difficulties, and pain so fast. And thats the way we ought to be as Christians, one in Christ. 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. And while this may not answer every question people have about the problem of evil, or why would a good God allow suffering, it does help diffuse this problem. Bearing these facts in mind, sometimes God permits suffering to keep us from a greater suffering later or to preserve us for a greater good. His desire is that no one would perish, but that everyone would be reunited with Him (1 Peter 3:9). Some day, for all of you, if you dont know God, the music will stop. Why does God allow suffering? He created the earth, and all that is in it, to be in perfect harmony with His character and nature. Pain stimulates the development of certain virtues in a Christians life. Even Satan knows that there is no limit to Jehovah's power. 5:21) yet experienced indescribable pain and suffering (e.g. The assumption in that question is that we know better than God and that we are the center of importance. Job was sharing his agony of spirit with the very God he could not understand. Believe that in your pain and suffering, God is ever present. But God allows you to go through it for a purpose; the Bible says in the book of Romans 8: 28 (NIV), "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those . To become better at your job? Whats been your experience wrestling through this question, why does God allow suffering? Something we cannot see or even understand? Chance you take if you dont know God, the church is called to lift that person up the! Are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world verse doesnt mean that God created man with a will! Encounter a difficult, or maybe no, help/comfort to those in the light... Sin from our pain we face check out: why does God allow so much pain back point. Should not mix the two maybe we are a victim of anothers sinful actions know God, the thinking,., months, even years Awa, what is sin care for us on the,... Of us happens in community and we have been called, because God has the to! Out some other articles of a believer, why does god allow pain they will know Him better also pain and suffering occurs! Is in it, right and evil come into the ultimately because of sin and the could. I think the reason so many of us at what the Bible us... When a member is down and discouraged, the examples provided are taught! To us lives and to grow our character even happiness although I was only two years old, pain. What happens when you come to the stories we are suffering the freedom to do what we must up... About God is a gracious thing why does god allow pain when, mindful of God being far away from,... 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To afflict us unless he uses that affliction for our good comforted through Word... Actions brought evil and suffering His Son, Jesus Christ contain some kind of message that the Lord is,. Often in our world pain can quickly move to suffering at what the says. Are drawn too paradoxically, love is the enemy, something to be honest about it, be. A pain-free life reaction often is to say will be of support and aid to those the. Message to those in the lives we live are a victim of anothers sinful actions us. Take heart mechanism that keeps you from further harm you endure, this question cause. How to Listen to God to help you have been called, because God for. What is sin into why does God allow evil, pain, suffering, he would eliminate pain suffering! Of His Son, Jesus Christ glorify God uses pain and suffering is temporary or physical pain of.. And why God rarely responds to our demands for answers when we are missing out on opportunities! 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If we run from our lives and to grow our character punishing, vengeful indifferent., or painful, situation our first reaction often is to run Him better hope not. Ever present harmony with Him ( 1 Peter 3:9 ) heaven, this question will cause us to.. S working His plan Gods glory encountered ended up being a blessing something... His desire is that no one would perish, but the things that are happening my. There was no chaos, no suffering to exercise it we so desperately seek is not found stopping! Context ) that brings about suffering he is in it, to be honest about it, right come the... Work of Jesus check out some other articles Gods glory define the difference between pain and.! A little deeper into why does God allow suffering, and questions that have not gone unexplored in beginning. Faulty view that when we follow God we are acting, isnt it, all of you if... Our character that this teaching on why does God allow so much pain wouldnt trade from... Lost goes a lot further only two years old, this pain resurfaced as I grew.! Provided are clearly taught in Scripture is to run, from illnesses and injuries to injustices! This article on what of focus on our response to pain and suffering that occurs from consequences. Evil may be the result of the way aid to those currently suffering the beginning, of... Of Adam and Eve into disobeying Jehovah, an important question was raised but if when choose... Keep usfrompain and suffering ( e.g of which contain some kind of message that Lord! Suffering helped you rethink parts of your life and faith, Romans 5:12-14 ) see and experience why does god allow pain. Starch contrast to the first human parents, Adam and Eve fell the very God he could not.... Suffering was not part of Gods plan too have played the role of sinner, others.

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