why god allows problemwhy god allows problem

1. A preacher reflects on a local mass shooting. That day will come, but not yet. The boy said, "Thirteen years." 5 Biblical Reasons Why God Allows Suffering - Beliefnet I wrote my first novel last year. How Should Christians Respond to Pride Month? To me, that's evidence of a loving God, that he would care that much for us. Count on it. He didn't say you mighthe said it is going to happen. Later on Jesus would say something similar to his disciples when they were in a boat caught up in a storm. What is Sleep Paralysis? Jesus was sleeping and the disciples woke Him up because they thought they were going to die. Ultimately God also wants you to know Him and to know His character. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. In John 16:33 he said, "You will have suffering in this world." Who knows, it might even take a jackhammer with some of us! He apparently had fog lamps in front, because he was traveling at a confident and deliberate pace, and I knew if we could just follow those taillights, we'd be headed in the right direction. Is Sexting, Cybersex and Phone Sex a Sin? They hid their faces from him as if he were a leper. God has allowed men to rule for long enough to demonstrate that they cannot resolve mankind's problems. ", And those two tragic events are just added to the everyday pain and suffering being experienced in individual lives. Charles Spurgeon looked back upon dark hours in his own life and said: I bear willing witness that I owe more to the fire, and the hammer, and the file, than to anything else in my Lords workshop. And now that I know the way it is, Ive decided I dont want any part of it. What is the loving message He is trying to tell me in this? Isnt it true that the child who learns most quickly experiences the least discipline? There are so many tragic stories, so much pain. Someone has said, People are a lot like tea bags, you dont know whats in them until you drop them in hot water. In Deuteronomy 8:2, God told Israel, And you shall remember all the way which the Lord your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. (NAS) The key words there are testing you. It takes about two weeks to march from Egypt to Israel, yet it took Israel forty years to make that trip. You had an emergency root canal at the dentistand then ran out of pain-killers. We can be tempted to believe that God would rather see us struggle than conquer. You may not understand the purpose of your challenges in the present, but they will make sense in the future when you have arrived at the place that God wants you to be in life. Unlike some other religious leaders who wrote off pain and suffering as mere illusions, Jesus was honest about the inevitability of suffering. You have saving faith. He was blind for three days, perhaps wondering if he would ever see again. No one can deny it. He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. Then next New Year's Day someone asks, "So, how was your 2012?" Little faith trust God in little things, but not the major things. Why cant He just instantly give you a perfect life? I certainly don't want to minimize pain and suffering, but it helps if we take a long-term perspective. 3For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. Some who lose a child to a drunk driver turn inward in chronic rage and never-ending despair; another turns outward to help others by founding Mothers Against Drunk Drivers. He will turn it around and bring good out of it if you respond to Him in faith and trust Him in the midst of the problems. Why Did God Kill Innocent People in the Old Testament? This ministry also seeks to provide answers to curious questions and alternative topics from a Biblical worldview. Our text said, Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing God sometimes uses problems to inspect us. Finally, the fifth point of light: We decide whether to turn bitter or turn to God for peace and courage. And Jesus said they are coming. Great faith is marked by great understanding and great expectations of Jesus. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. Because they believed something so strongly for so long, its hard for them to believe the truth. A third test is the persistence test. The Problem of Evil It has been called the Achilles' heel of the Christian faith. TODAY. Of course, if you know the story, you know that God was positioning him to be raised up as second in command of Egypt. What happens if you trust in the Lord? You have physical strength, but when your physical strength is tested by the coach you discover how much strength you have. So dont try to get out of anything prematurely. Great faith can simply hear Gods Word and they will fully believe it. To make things worse, he thought it was Gods will. GJELTEN: It's such an old problem that theologians actually have a term for efforts to explain why God and evil can both exist. Two peasant hunters were walking along a fence row a little before dark. Should Christians Use Online Dating Apps? They are more valuable to me than millions in silver and gold! (TLB) This kind of correction, the Bible calls discipline. Why? But when I look at the totality of the year, when I put everything in context, it's been a great year. God has great plans for you. When you are going through a problem when you are going through a personal fire, . God Wants to Build Your Character Sometimes God has to wake us up because we're cruising down the highway of life headed in the wrong direction. And many people are asking the question, "Why? Emotions & Thought Life / Spiritual Realm & Warfare, Difference Between Prophecy and Divination. Are We Alone in the Universe? Your marriage is idyllic, your health is fabulous, and you have a six-month vacation in Tahiti. . (Joseph said to them, Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? The problem is that there isn't just one answer. Oftentimes, like Adam and Eve, we decide to go our own wayand this is why evil will continue to exist until Jesus returns. Lets think about the phrase your faith for a minute. Rebuilding Church Community: Whats Actually Working? If the rough spot doesnt fall off, he just gets a bigger hammer or a sharper chisel. So love is the highest value in the universe. But in heaven, after 354,484,545 days of pure blissand with an infinite more to comeif someone asked, "So, how has your existence been? But God had to turn him around and he did it by giving him a serious problem. It empowers the atheist's argument. The pastor said with astonishment, "And you think that is fair?" Subject: Bible Biblical Worldview Problem of Evil Plagiarism scanner Do the Check Writing help Ask for Help Read my essay Go to Read John Hick and the Problem of Evil I am writing on John Hick's piece entitled There Is a Reason Why God Allows Evil. Ask one of them what the purpose of his suffering is. All Rights Reserved. Since God . And the boy replied: "Well, God has all eternity to make it up to me. Instead of doing what he was told, Jonah boarded a ship headed for Tarshish, which was due west. The 364 terrific days far outweigh the one bad day. A friend wins the lottery and gives you $100 million. night of open heaven || day 57 [100 days fasting & prayer] 15th july, 2023 (part 2) "Sometimes it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways." Pr. This word tested has two aspects to its meaning. Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble" ( John 16:33 ). Suddenly, out of nowhere, a white goat came charging by them and jumped right down into the hole after the railroad tie. His eleven brothers hated him. Things were becoming clearer, we could see better, and as we rounded a curve, silhouetted against the night sky, guess what we saw? Both men were flabbergasted. Because you knew there was also the potential for tremendous joy and deep love and great meaning. Is he both able and willing? BGEA Admin But to give us the ability to love, God had to give us free will to decide whether to love or not to love. It is therefore important to understand that challenges and problems are not always present so that they may destroy us. Many people think that when they go through problems God is mad at them, or, perhaps, he has abandoned them. (1) Sometimes it is within Gods will that we have problems. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. a response to "why does God allow suffering". It might be chronic. God is more interested in you developing your character and becoming mature so that in Christ, you can cope with anything that life may throw at you. I say to this one, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he comes; and to my servant, Do this! and he does it. 10Hearing this, Jesus was amazed and said to those following him,Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with so great a faith (CSB). But we can find hope in God's promise that one day, evil will end. (Prov. Your favorite preaching resources have a brand-new look. Do Aliens Exist? But then every other day of the year was just incredibly terrific. And God doesn't make this promise to everyone. iOS 16.5.1 (c): You Should Download This iPhone Update Now What Does it Mean to Take Up Your Cross? You only read half the book!". for less than $4.25/month. The pressure test asks the question, How will you handle stress? Will you depend on yourself, or will you depend on God? A person just might say, after hearing a message like this, Well. Problems produce dependency. Reid asked him, "How old are you?" But not Joseph. Has God ever used a problem to test you? But Adam and his wife, Eve, decided to disobey God and eat from the tree anyway. Why do Christians suffer? The Bible says that the story of this world isn't over yet. Your relationship with God is close and real and intimate. The problem of evil is the most famous argument against the existence of an all-powerful and loving god. Saint Basil the Great, an influential Christian of the 4th century, offers an answer to the "problem of evil", saying "No one who is in this world will deny that evils exist. Permissions The one who whines and cries and never gets the message. So, some sickness is not from God, but from Satan. For example, it provides the central theme of the Book of Job in the . Genesis 1:31 says: "God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.". God warned Adam saying, But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die (Genesis 2:17, NKJV). In your problem, whatever it is, never forget that He corrects you because He loves you. God's Purpose Behind Your Problems: Spiritual Life in God The persistence test asks the question, How will you handle your commitments? Life is about making commitments. Because he has conquered the world! Every believer in here has faith to a point. To See the Magnitude of His Love When we think of suffering, we often think. Theodicy - Wikipedia Let me finish the story of Leslie and I driving through the fog in Wisconsin. In the philosophy of religion, a theodicy, ( / idsi /) meaning 'vindication of God' in Greek, is an argument that attempts to resolve the problem of evil that arises when omnipotence, omnibenevolence, and omniscience are all simultaneously ascribed to God. Back to James again, James tells you that your faith is going to be tested. These tests will come in all shapes, sizes, and intensities. God is able to use your current challenges in life in order to build your character and resilience for a future mission or role in life. Why does God allow problems and trials in our lives? But God intends and allows it for good! The Problem of Evil: Why Does God Allow Evil to Exist? - Christianity Either way, they believed that certain foods were sinful to eat. Of course not. I'd say, "Hey! Toll Free: 1-877-247-2426. 2) God could compensate for people's evil actions through supernatural intervention 100 percent of the time. He had found an old railroad tie, which he lifted up and pushed into the hole. Problem of evil Some of us learned the value of money only when we got into debt over our heads and had to crawl out. Problems prepare our hearts for ministry. He will punish those who do not know God. Ask him what hope he has and the only thing hell be able to cite is that he hopes it will be over soon. One day he was headed north, from Jerusalem, toward Damascus, with warrants for the arrests of some Christians who had fled there. Think of it this way. Why do people suffer and die? It is called judgement. Let's say that on the first day of 2012, you had an awful day. Weak faith believes that if he doesnt read a chapter in the Bible a day he has sinned against God. Theology Thursday: The Purpose of Suffering | GCU Blog God allows trials in our lives so we will grow up spiritually. One of the reasons why we get disappointed by people is because we expect them to meet a need that only God himself can meet and there is the test. He cannot trust, because he has no one in whom to place his trust. James then goes on to explain how we can deal with these problems and gain the growth. Of course, I'm referring to the classical problem of the existence of evil. That day just sort of fades away. It was getting pretty close to quitting time and they were thinking about calling it a day. The painful experience caused me to change my ways. Is it Possible to Sell Your Soul to the Devil? There was 9/11 and now the Syrian slaughters, and on and on. Hebrews 12:5-11 says that God disciplines those He loves. (Acts 17:10-12). Then one day my mom caught me at the edge. Dont put it off. ", And maybe that's a good analogy for heaven. Words can't describe the joy and the delight and the fulfillment! Your commitment, determination, and persistence will be tested. Why Does God Allow Evil? - Ligonier Ministries Thats what God, through James, is trying to teach us. Having won a chicken sandwich the week before, Craig checked it out, hoping for some free French fries or a free drink. 5 Reasons Why Christians Should Share the Gospel. Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need (NLT). What makes us think that were any different? You certainly made it clear! You will have suffering in this world. [1] Unlike a defence, which merely tries to demonstrate that the coexistence of . God, through James, tells says in verse 2, When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. The people test asks the question, How will you handle disappointment? God allows people to be people. Why Does God Allow Evil and Suffering? | Good News a response to "why does God allow suffering" God uses them to develop your faith, to develop your trust in Him. Many of us learned the meaning of the word hot by touching the stove. Suddenly, one of them stopped and looked down at the ground. Home Is Atheism More Rational Than Belief in God? Even Billy Graham couldn't fully explain it. Sometimes God has to wake us up because were cruising down the highway of life headed in the wrong direction. God is not to be blamed for your problems, especially when the cause of your problems is a sinful choice or life. Yet it's still important to grapple with the question of why God allows suffering in our lives. James tells you straight up your faith will be tested every time you go through problems and troubles. When you are in trouble, when the pressure is on, God says to you call on me and let me intervene and invite me into your trouble. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.". At first. Subscribe to CT Jesus said to them, Why are you afraid? Sometimes a problem is a blessing in disguise. Surely He has! ", you'd instantly react by saying, "It has been absolutely wonderful! Look at what God says in Psalm 50:15, Call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory (NLT). 3 Tips for Your Bible Study & Quiet Time Routine, Bible Study & Life Lessons / Christian Growth / Salvation & Evangelism, Christian Growth / Emotions & Thought Life. If you all you see in your life is trash, garbage, troubles, trials, and problems you are going to struggle throughout life. Why is There so Much Hypocrisy in the Church? With mass shootings and natural disasters filling the headlines, it's normal to wonder why a sovereign God allows suffering. . When you face problems, it might be that God wants to teach you specific values and virtues through your problems such as patience, perseverance, love, faith and the like. Ive had them, too. They avoid these foods in their life. When bad things happen in the world, God is often blamed. As a result he was thrown in jail for two years for a crime he didnt commit. But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. You get promoted at work to your dream job. The primary difference between them and us is that they are facing their problems alone, without God. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.. God is good, whether I believe it or not. We often learn the value of friendship only after we have mourned the loss of a friend. When considering why God allows evil, its important to remember what seems unfair to us is not unfair by Gods standard. On any given day I could cite to you a half dozen people right off the top of my head who are unbelievers who are going through tremendous problems. Why Does God Allow Trials in the Life of the Believer? We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Alexander & the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, Worship Can Sound Like Silence and Feel Like Rest, In Our Pandemic-Scarred Churches, God Is Making All Things New. OK, so God is an all-powerful, omniscient being who created everything, and made man in his image. People will often disappoint you, but for those who hope in God will not be disappointed. Are you broken? Why does God allow problems and how does God use trials and troubles in your life? Who would have blamed him for giving up on God? Even before you had children, couldn't you foresee that there was the very real possibility they may suffer disappointment or pain or heartache in life, or that they might even hurt you and walk away from you? Is It A Result of Demonic Attack? But that wasnt the end of the problem for Joseph. In Romans 8:28 the Bible promises, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.". They listen as the beam fell, crashing its way down. For my thoughts are not your thoughts,neither are your ways my ways, declares theLord. God would stop a drunk driver from causing an automobile accident. Why does God allow sickness? | GotQuestions.org Should a Christian Date or Marry a Non-Christian? The posts grouped under the Theology of Why God Allows Evil and Suffering category offer brief solutions to different subcomponents of the problem of evil, including answers to the problem of divine hiddenness, the problem of natural evil, and the problem of hell. The gold already exist, the fire helps to determine the quality of that gold while at the same time improving the golds quality. Lets go back to James. We were driving up the highway in the dark, when it started raining heavily and we hit dense fog. The Lords Supper Is a Multiethnic Love Feast, Nondenominational Churches Are Growing and Multiplying in DC. You will be hurt in life. For example, do you follow God just for what He can give you, or do you follow God simply because He is your loving Creator? (Romans 12:2), What does it mean to be Doers of the Word? Privacy The epistemic question posed by evil is whether the world contains undesirable states of affairs that provide the basis for an argument that makes it unreasonable to believe in the existence of God. The Difference Between Love & Infatuation. That is a critical point to remember. Jesus told his followers, Go and make disciples of all nations. Pastors know well that no two people under their care are in the same place spiritually. Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people? But look at it this way. ", I don't have God's mind; I don't share his perspective. With that said, lets look at James 1:2-4, Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. God allows tests in our lives and rarely announces them ahead of time. God is not merely interested in giving you the things that you want in life but God is more interested in you having a genuine and growing relationship with Him. Let me introduce to you these three levels of faith. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies goldthough your faith is far more precious than mere gold. Why are women footballers facing an 'epidemic' of ACL injuries? If you are facing problems and challenges in your life, God may allow them for the following reasons: 1. Where does your money go first? James 1:2-5 NKJV), 4. He was resold in Egypt to an owner whose wife tried to seduce him. Is it possible that God is protecting you right now from something you dont see? We make the choice to either run away from God or to run to him. In other words, we've only read half the book! It was programmed to say those words. 1 Peter 4:12-13 Sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways. Is God trying to get your attention? But here is the thing, in order to see some of those blessings your faith will need to be tested and when its tested you will be able to see and experience incredible blessings within your trials and troubles. But if God is not the author of tragedy or evil or death, where did they come from? Jeremiah 17:9-10 NKJV). I could barely see the white stripe on the edge of the road. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world (NLT). But before you take off and leave God, consider the alternative. You'd probably say, "It was great; it was wonderful!" We can be tempted to believe that God is more interested in punishing us than in helping us. Why God Allows Evil and Suffering | Answering the Problem of Evil