Why does God
allow suffering?
This question of suffering is frequently asked
regarding belief in a good God. We see suffering due to
climatic and sysmic changes such as famines, floods and
earthquakes. Appalling tragedy like the twin towers in New
York and wars being fought around the world. Almost daily the
news if full of disasters happening that effect the lives of
hundreds of people. Also we are all effected through
bereavement, sickness, handicap, divorce, depression,
loneliness etc. Suffering comes in many ways and no one is
immune.
Suffering was not part of God's original plan - there
was no suffering in the world before humanity disobeyed God.
Suffering is either directly or indirectly a result of
humankind's sin. Much of this misery is the result of other
people's sin. War is always the result of human sin.
Starvation is caused by the unequal distribution of the
world's resources or by civil war or some other human sin.
Murder, adultery, theft, sexual abuse, drunkeness, slander,
unkindness, lying or selfishness is all sin that effect us and
others.
"I am sure that what
we are suffering now cannot compare with the glory that will
be shown to us. In fact,
all creation is eagerly waiting for God to show who his
children are. Meanwhile, creation is confused, but not because it
wants to be confused. God made it this way in the hope
that
creation would be set free from decay and would share in the
glorious freedom of his children. We know that all creation is still
groaning and is in pain, like a woman about to give
birth." (Romans 8:18 -22)
Suffering is never good but God will use it to bring
about good. Many people seek God during times of suffering and
He uses it to draw us to Jesus Christ.
God does not observe our suffering from a distance.He
knows what we are feeling when we suffer and he suffers with
us. God became a man, experienced life as we do with all it
joys and miseries. He was born a Jew, was falsely convicted,
he died in great physical pain and mental torture.
The New Testament is full of promises about how
wonderful heaven will be. Crying will cease nor will there be
any more pain and suffering. Our bodies will become like that
of Jesus' glorious resurrected body. We shall be reunited with
all those who have died believing in Christ for salvation
and live forever with of the Lord and He says "I am creating new heavens and a new
earth; everything of the past will be forgotten." (Isaiah
65:17)
"More
reasons to believe in a God who allows
suffering.
