WHY DOES GOD ALLOW SUFFERING?
Why, then, are so many in pain? There is no good or easy answer when tragedies occur. But to try and understand, we must step back and look at the big picture. God made everything perfect. When man sinned, that perfection was spoiled and all of our environment was tainted. The fact is, we live in a world where evil abounds. It is rampant throughout every aspect of creation. We are subject to the evil actions of sinful people around us. God can and does intervene in some events, but why not others? Only He knows that answer, but the Bible teaches that there will be a time when He will end this world as we know it. In heaven, there will be no more death, sadness, pain, sickness, or suffering of any kind. Below are some thoughts on why I believe God allows us to suffer. 1) One reason many of us suffer is because we do things that cause us pain. We don't eat right, so we have heart attacks. We drive carelessly or fast, so we have accidents. We smoke, so we get lung cancer. 2) But what about innocent children who are not responsible for their suffering? Why do they get sick? Maybe it's because we do not live in a perfect world. God intended for us to have perfect bodies, perfect health, and freedom from pain and suffering. The world He created was originally perfect, just as He had planned it. But evil destroyed our perfect world. When sin entered the picture, it brought with it death, pain, and suffering. Don't misunderstand me, people do not suffer because of their own personal sins, necessarily; but because the world is changed because of sin being in the world. Jesus said, "In this world, you will have tribulation." Just as in the case with Job, I believe that evil forces attack us and cause much suffering in an attempt to get people to blame God and turn away from Him. In order for God to preserve our rights as individuals (to choose for ourselves), He had to allow us the freedom to sin. He also had to allow the consequences of our behaviors. That means that He does not normally interfere with things which happen naturally in this world, such as sickness and disease caused by toxins in the environment, accidents as a result of risky behaviors, and natural disasters resulting from changes in the ozone layer, etc. God does not cause these natural consequences, but He does allow them. However, many times, He does intervene miraculously or work even in the worst of situations to bring about something good from them. 3) Why would God allow me to suffer? Maybe so that I can increase my faith in Him, increase my compassion for others, or be better able to encourage and help other hurting people (2 Corinthians 1:3-5). BUT WE DO HAVE HOPE FOR BETTER THINGS: Though this world is no longer perfect, as God intended it to be; He will create a perfect world for us in heaven where there will no longer be any tears, pain, or suffering; and "death will be swallowed up in victory." Why? Because God will ultimately get rid of everything that is not HIS. Suffering, sin, pain, tears and death are not HIS. We have HOPE that all suffering will be relieved when we go to spend eternity with God. BUT, this promise of eternal bliss is only for those who know, serve, and love Him. (If you want more info on this, email me at hugsandhopeATgmail.com (replace the "AT" with @ before sending) God is not the cause of any suffering in this world, Satan is! To blame God for evil is foolish, because it actually causes us to follow the one who IS truly responsible for pain and problems. Why doesn't God cure our bodies? Maybe because our souls are of greater importance to him than our bodies are! Though He cares about our physical suffering, healing our soul is more urgent because it is the soul that lives forever. Our relationship with God is what determines WHERE that soul spends eternity. It is my prayer that all who suffer here on earth will seek God and TRUE healing (of the soul) that He offers, so that they can all gather in Heaven where there will be no more sickness and pain. Hopefully we will all meet there for the feast that God has promised to those who enter through the narrow gate. In this world, bad things happen even to good people. Those who have a personal relationship with God are better able to cope with whatever happens in their lives. We can live without fear, even though we do not know what the future holds IF we know the one who holds the future in His hands. When we discover the great love God has for us, we can let go of our fear. Psalm 27:1 says "The Lord is my salvation. Whom shall I fear?" Jesus triumphed over death, and He alone can save us from eternal death. He can also see us through all the trials of life and bring us safely to heaven! No one can comfort the depths of our sorrows except God. Read His promises in the Bible, and your heart will be encouraged. If you fail to see Him as the only source of hope presented in the pages of the Hugs and HOPE web site, then I have failed in my effort. If you don't know Him, but you want to known Him, I would love to introduce Him to you!
WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT SUFFERING: Romans 8:18: "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth being compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us!" Romans 8:17: "We must also share in his suffering, if we are to share in his glory." John 16:33: "In this world you will have tribulation. But be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world." (Or as another translations puts it: "Take courage, I've deprived it of its power to harm and conquer you.") James 5:13: "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray." 1 Peter 4:12: "Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you. But to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing." And verse 19 says: "Let those who suffer ... entrust their souls to a faithful Creator. . ."
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