So, Why does God allow suffering in the first place? It is designed to build our trust in the Almighty, but suffering requires the right response if it is to be successful in accomplishing God’s purposes. Rather, I simply want to highlight ten ways the Bible addresses suffering. God could step in at any point and stop the suffering. Rather, I simply want to highlight ten ways the Bible addresses suffering. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Satan is the author of sin. Pain is one of the consequences of the original sin . Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. http://everydayservant.com/top-18-bible-verses-power-of-prayer/ God promises a time when there will be no more crying, no more tears, no more pain and suffering, when we will be reunited with God in perfect harmony, forever. Sometimes people suffer as a result of their sins. Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. Lewis or Why Does God Allow Evil? But why does God allow suffering? Paul said: “God will never allow us to be tempted beyond what we can handle.” Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. It's our choice whether to accept God's free ticket to eternal life in paradise (Acts 4:12). If God is good and loving, why does he allow evil and suffering to exist? Some of them more than a little ironic. Maybe the answer to the question does the bible explain why God allows suffering is found here in the person of Jesus Christ. Share: Our pain is real. Though God does not approve of sin and its consequences (suffering), nor is He responsible for it, it is here by His permission. Ultimately, we can’t know all the reasons why God allows suffering, we just know that He does. 1:6-7), 13. On Nov. 21, 1980, when the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas burned, survivors were brought into the Convention Center, where our Crusade meetings were being held. (2 Thessalonians 2:9, 10; 2 Corinthians 11:14) The Devil’s existence can be perceived by the damage he causes. ... and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Good morning everyone! 10:13,14). It is very difficult to see any value in pain, suffering, loss of a loved one, disability, etc. It can require sacrifice, courage, discipline, and faith in the belief that God is good and has our best interests at heart regardless of how things might appear to us. Here are direct links to some of the top posts. The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. ... but the Bible does give some clues. The short answer is that we don’t always know why in specific cases. Answer: There is so much suffering in the world, and it is felt by everyone to one degree or another. All of our problems and our suffering are a result of man’s rebellion against God. Image from Wikimedia Commons; British 55th (West Lancashire) Division troops blinded by tear gas await treatment at an Advanced Dressing Station near Bethune during the Battle of Estaires, 10 April 1918, part of the German offensive in Flanders. The briefest glance at the Bible reveals that God is aware of our suffering and is eager to help us (Psalm 50:15; Numbers 21:8–9). The five main causes of suffering are looked at. (2 Pet. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 3:9-10), 12. Sometimes, people suffer as the direct result of their own poor choices, sinful actions, or willful irresponsibility; in those cases, we see the truth of Proverbs 13:15, “The way of the treacherous is their ruin” (ESV). Let’s consider what the Bible says about suffering. Reframing the Question. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. 1:4-6); to teach us to trust in Him and not in ourselves (see 1:9; 4:7,16, 18; 12:1-10); to turn our hearts toward heaven (see 5:1-4); to develop maturity (see James 1:1-12); to discipline us for sinful behavior (see I Cor. When Christians go through pain in life it helps us to get back on the path of righteousness. Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Why Does God Allow Suffering? Our loving and merciful God has a perfect plan to use that suffering to accomplish His threefold purpose. There are several reasons, not just one reason, why people suffer. Read these Top 9 Bible Verses-Why Does God Allow Suffering? Various answers have been given but permanently settling the issue is impossible (this side of heaven) because so many of our answers raise further questions. Suffering is a tool God uses to get our attention and to accomplish His purposes in our lives. Bible in One Year: Isaiah 4-7 It’s hard to accept. Much of the pain and suffering that we experience or see others going through is undeserved. God … Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished. Is there injustice on God's part? If God is a good God, then why does he allow the bad? Yes, the innocent suffer (see Job 1–2), but God can redeem that suffering. Why does God allow suffering? GOD is who GOD says He is (discussed in Lesson 32). Clearly suffering was brought into the world as a result of sin. (Rom. Pain is one of the consequences of the original sin . Even a quick look at the Bible bears witness to the fact that we aren’t the first to walk down the difficult roads of disappointment, persecution, and bitterness. 4 Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. James 1:2-4 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. ... nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. If life is purposeless, complaining about pain and suffering is ludicrous. Terms of Use Privacy Policy Copyright Policy, Lord's Supper, Feast, Lamb of God, Do this in remembrance of me, Bread and Wine, Prosperity Gospel, Discernment, Truth, Doctrine, Heresy, Error, Bereans, Click Here to Subscribe to BCL's Free Monthly Newsletter and Weekday Devotional, 3 Ways the Gospel Brings Harmony to Your Marriage, 6 Ways a Christian Wife Cherishes Her Husband. by Dr. David Jeremiah. Job explores the difficult question of God's relationship to human suffering, and invites us to trust God's wisdom and character. While we do not always know why we suffer, we can bring our pain and grief to God and trust that He is wise and knows what He's doing. Why would a loving and holy God allow a child to suffer through a serious illness such as cancer? You may be going through pain and suffering right now but God can offer hope for any situation. God is the designer of a plan that allowed for sin and suffering. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills. If God is all-powerful and all-loving, then why does He allow evil and suffering in the world? Dear Ryan, thank you so much for publishing this article. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. by Clay Jones. There were so many good points you proved not just why if God exist, but why he allows evil and suffering to continue, sometimes prosper. Far from depicting God as pitiless or indifferent, the Bible teaches that God is deeply moved by our suffering —and that he will soon bring an end to it. (Eccles. Like many others right now, I am going through a tough time as we near the end of 2020. 37:12,13). Why not? God wants us to develop a love for Him through our life experiences including pain and suffering. 34 Bible Verses about Pain And Suffering. Regardless of the reason God allows suffering into our lives, rarely does it not reveal areas of need, … FATHER in heaven, thank you for the Sabbath and this opportunity that we have to seek YOUR face, to study YOUR word. (Prov. God created humans with the capacity to choose between doing good and doing bad. The Bible talks a lot about suffering. Question: "Why does God allow the innocent to suffer?" However, it will draw us closer as we place our faith in … Why does God allow natural disaster and disease? If we ask why God allows this suffering, the Bible tells us that God doesn’t only permit it: He actively commands it (Matthew 25:41), for God is holy and righteous (1 John 1:5), and it would be unjust for God to leave sin unpunished forever (Romans 3:25-26). On the other hand, they say, if God is truly great, then he must not be good, because he could stop the evil and suffering but doesn’t. Why not? Why would a powerful and loving God allow suffering, evil and death? Responses to suffering are deeply personal and evoke strong emotions, but the Bible offers examples that reveal not only the mystery of human suffering but God’s eternal perspective. One of the most pressing challenges to Christianity is the problem of evil. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. God does not bring pain “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights” (James 1:17). Top 9 Bible Verses-Why Does God Allow Suffering, Top 16 Bible Verses – Gods Will For My Life, http://everydayservant.com/top-11-bible-verses-why-does-god-turn-down-our-prayers/, http://everydayservant.com/top-12-bible-verses-god-hear-prayers/, http://everydayservant.com/top-37-bible-verses-prayer/, http://everydayservant.com/top-18-bible-verses-power-of-prayer/, http://everydayservant.com/how-should-we-pray/. Lee has graciously given us permission to post it here on Bible Gateway. IV. We learn much from Job about the reason for suffering, those who suffered were not more sinful. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! The below Bible verses can help you understand the purpose of pain in your life and encourage you to find joy in the middle of suffering. ... the Bible says that God does not cause sin or moral evils (James 1:13-15, 1 John 3:2-6, 2 Thessalonians 3:3). The following message was delivered on July 22, 2012 by Christian author and apologist Lee Strobel, just days after the deadly theater shooting in Aurora, Colorado. 8:29). The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. But if He did that, He would never be able to prove beyond any shadow of a doubt, that Satan was wrong. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. ... and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Into an angel of light, ” says the Bible addresses suffering 11:14 ) the Devil not! 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Email addresses ’ t promise us an easy life but he does for those why does god allow pain and suffering bible verses suffered were not more....