Because He allows us to have free choiceto be humans and not preprogrammed robots. Its pain that will grow you. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. When we suddenly bear an affliction, our pride, impatience, and unbelief will often surface. It's one of the tools He uses to get stubborn sheep to greener pastures. 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. One day it will all make sense. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). Each of us knows firsthand what it means to suffer as a result of someone elses sin. We ought to say, O God, I believe You are the great and mighty God. And the list could go on and on and on. The answer to this question is that none of us are truly innocent or undeserving. 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. Suffering reveals the true worth of what many people are striving to buy and achieve. The question, "why does God allow pain and suffering," is always asked of pain and suffering experienced by those we deem to be innocent or undeserving of such affliction. Suffering is coming to an end. Colossians 4:2 "Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.". 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. Sin is the reason that we have afflictions, including death. Pastors know well that no two people under their care are in the same place . We demand answers and that God fixes our problem(s). Therefore He never gives us anything for which He does not provide what we need to deal with it. We have all been the victims of the evil choices of others. When the complexity of suffering rears us its head, we will find ourselves ill-equipped to deal with the ramifications. Ultimately God's plan will put an end to murder, cancer, tragic accidents, loneliness, sadness, depression, and grief. Failure as the end. What Im about to say will be of little, or maybe no, help/comfort to those currently suffering. And the list goes on. Consider what God told Paul when he was in pain: "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Reasons for Hope* Jesus, Yes, send me answers to interesting and challenging questions about Jesus and the Bible. Suffering is in our lives because we are living in a broken world. Pain is not a danger to avoid. In our pain, we long to know why God allows grief and hardship into our lives. According to a recent report, 1 in 3 Americans take pain medication every day. Philip Yancey in The Question that Never Goes Awa, What Is Sin? But what we don't usually look for is God's purpose for our weaknesses in the lives of others. Because of love. Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone by making a one-time donation today. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28201 God designed humans to love. Toll Free: 1-877-247-2426. Pain promotes humility. There is no indication in Pauls description that God was chastising him for sin. This was a mission destined to have failure in it. Although I was only two years old, this pain resurfaced as I grew older. God is restoring creation to His original design. 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. This is how we come to understand our experience and to receive comfort and strength from those who listen and care for us. God allows and sometimes even causes pain in our lives. 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). We are finite beings trying to grasp at an infinite God. Its temporary. 1 Peter 2:19-21. Twice in the verse below Paul states that the reason for his thorn in the flesh was to keep him from becoming conceited. So they were created with perfect bodies and godly minds capable of directing their desires and will, and reflecting Gods nature and His glory. Its not by Gods design, its by our sin. In other words, Christians still sin. He uses it to test our faith, discipline us, and to grow our character. Drop a comment down below! If He allows us to go through pain, suffering and loss, then He has something good He wants us to accomplish. A sharp pain in your foot might tell you that you stepped on a nail. In this article on what of focus on our response to pain and how its a good thing. Pain and a loving God can co-exist. I remember asking God why He allowed pain and suffering on two occasions in my life. Want articles like this one delivered straight to your email? Read this: When it feels like God has forgotten about you. Genesis 1:31 says God saw all that He had made and it was very good," he continued. Illness, pain, earthquakes, floods, and other natural disasters are examples of physical evils. Permissions Many of us think that if God is so good, why would He allow us to undergo pain and suffer failures in our lives. The Bible should always be our first stop in understanding God and the world around us. 3 Reasons Why God Allows Pain And Failure In Our Lives, Virginia Gov. The church is also meant to be a refuge for those who are suffering. Local: 704-401-2432 Paul the sufferer turns his pain into a Christ-exalting experience by showing Christ's all-sufficiency in his weakness. Writer. Satan did not call into question Jehovah's power. Home 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. Jesus is the prime example of this. The truth is: If God can't somehow love you through the pain and suffering, then He shields you from it. How has pain caused growth in your life? 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. If you touch a hot stove your body reacts with pain that causes you to quickly move your hand. 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. But God wasnt taken aback or surprised. But the creatures are not happy. So, lets look at what suffering is and how a good God can allow suffering to exist. The Bible doesnt diminish our experience of suffering. We should recognize that, but theres a larger point I want to make. #christianyoutubechannel #viral #tyetribbett #pain To pick up one theme of suffering in Scripture is to miss the entire picture. For now, we must hold onto the hope that our suffering is temporary. Social sharing is permitted. Betrayal leaves many wondering if they will ever be whole again. Why does God allow suffering and evil? Its also important that we recognize that our suffering doesnt happen without purpose. To enjoy our website, you'll need to enable JavaScript in your web browser. Sin lurks at each of our doors. Let me explain. All suffering is the result of sin which ultimately produces evil. The Purpose of Pain. Why is there pain in the world? Do Gods children experience pain? It was not in His original plan that suffering would take place. Thats why Christ died on the cross. To understand what I mean, consider four verses from the Hebrew Bible. If you have been born into the family of God, you are a child of God. But God isnt finished yet. It's common to wonder if our suffering is God's Will. Is Leonard Cohens Hallelujah a Christian Song? We are missing out on something that God wants to teach us, grow in us, or mature us in. One day "there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain" (Revelation 21:4). Let me offer three answers: 1) To let us see the gravity of our choices. Many have walked away from their faith because of the suffering theyve experienced. But God has revealed answers through the Bible and through the Person of His Son, Jesus Christ. 1. Much pain consequently comes from our sin, but not all pain does. 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. Failure doesnt mean the end, the pain that comes from failing creates growth. Rather, pain has a purpose and is a blessing. Not by trying to produce heaven on earth but by recognizing that for the Christian the best is yet to be.. One important answer to this question is to say they should imitate Christ, who suffered more than anyone. This attitude leads to a lack of growth. It is likely that you will be confronted with suffering that cannot be adequately understood through a single approach. Contact Us. Will we turn from God because we think Hes not good, not loving, not trustworthy because of our pain? Reconciling how a good and loving God could allow such pain in their lives (or someone close) is difficult. Jesus suffered and died for us on the cross, but God raised Him from the dead. But Jesus sent them anyway. 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. So what should we do the next time we experience some kind of pain? Help me get equipped andbe encouraged so I am empowered to know, live, and share my faith. Allow me to ask you this. Sin is the reason that we have afflictions, including death. This idea is false. Why does God allow suffering?". It's through pain that we will grow and develop into who God has created us to be. For example, you might be passed over for a seemingly great job opportunity, only to get a better one later. So even in the sorrow you feel right now, you can look forward with hope to the fulfillment of this plan. 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.". Jesus was using pain to grow maturity in his disciples. to learn more. A headache might tell you that you are dehydrated. I want you to go to heaven. But you must respond to Him. That way they can benefit from it as you have. The Bibles approach to the problem of suffering makes it clear that discernment is necessary every step of the way. If it did would you share this post with a friend or two? Failure as the end. I think the reason so many of us struggle with this question of suffering is that we cant trust God. One of the greatest gifts of God is free will. Most English Bibles render this verse as: "The earth was empty and without . And I get that. 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. 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). Hebrews 5:14 tells us, "But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.". Instead, he responds with, Im with you. Writer. At that time, man's diet consisted of fruits, but he didn't complain because that was how it used to be (see Genesis 2:15-17). Whatever its source, nature, and prognosis, pain sometimes leads people to question God. Pastor. 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