Why does Jesus allow suffering?
This is a hot topic as we look around the world and see brokenness all around us.
I don’t think I have to give any examples of the numerous ways people suffer without getting concrete answers.
Bad people/children suffer and die and so do good people/children. So the big question is why?
I think to answer this we cannot look at things from our own perspectives even though in writing this up we are
However the closest I can get to seeing it through God's perspective is searching for answers in the Bible. It was written by man but inspired by God so he has to leave clues in there somewhere.
And in saying that I believe the best place is at the end of the Bible where God proclaims that suffering will be banished.
So if suffering will be banished why is it allowed to exist and what’s its purpose is?
Throughout the Bible suffering is used to teach people lessons, a form of punishment and sadly just plain acts of evil. There is different forms of suffering and is weighed by God carefully.
I’m not going to tackle all the possible scenarios, what ifs and could be’s however we are to trust God and stay on track no matter what.
Relationships, marriages, jobs, food, clothing, shelter, friends, careers, ministries and even children cannot come before laying it all down before the lord.
If that happens then the things of this world, created things, have become idols and more important than Gods will and God himself, who will raise us up on the last day to give account.
How someone uses their time and how that time glorifies God really shows the intentions of that person’s heart towards a God that will eventually banish all suffering.
Has God created suffering? It’s a big question but I believe he has.
I believe God created it to administer his perfect long-term will.
So let’s have a better look at this.
The answer I believe is found in Eternity.
God offers us Eternity if we love him with all our hearts and walk away from our selfish sinful lives and live for him and others.
The only thing is how does he deal with a wicked world full of sin that puts him on the backburner?
The answer to me is simple. He hides himself in a broken sinful world. Gives people a Bible that sounds foolish and impossible and allows the world to consume itself in decay, destruction and survival.
Only if he draws you to himself will he give you the faith to believe past a dead end world.
Even if we draw closer to him it doesn’t mean our children or loved ones are safe. It doesn’t mean that our marriages will last. We pray with all our hearts it may be so but it’s no guarantee.
I know of a pastor in Australia who only a couple of years ago who was a man full of faith and had 2 sons. One was a faithful youth pastor with wife and children and the other faked cancer to take money from the congregation. The youth pastor one day at the age of 40 was struck down in an open field on a rainy day at a youth camp by lighting leaving a widow with children. It was a large church and both incidents had happened not far apart. The church had to pay back all the money for the other son sent to a rehab in the USA for sick people (mentally sick).
Gods ways are far above our ways so be prepared for anything. That’s why these days I try hard to make it all count. God must come first before everything including his written will for us and eternal salvation.
You may think this is just a perspective and I’m going on some kind of belief that doesn’t have real substance?
Well so you know I’m real I will share a little of my story.
Given away at birth to a foster Christian family. Look after by them for 6 years. Returned to my biological family at 6 and looked after by them for 9 years.
They were very violent and mentally ill so Govt took me out of their care at age 14. Grew up in homeless shelters and refuges for street people.
I experiencing much suffering and was taught how to make people suffer.
Became a Christian at age 22 and began the long journey of transformation by myself. Picked up lots of bad habits and addictions and got rid of them.
Experienced many relationships and seen many Churches…
Finally came to the conclusion beyond my own desires and natural instincts that Gods way is best.
God used suffering and showed me suffering to allow me to see that it all points to him. Suffering allows the world to be humble enough to say we need him and him alone including his ways. Suffering is also used so we can help others. When others suffer we pray, when they suffer we help, when we suffer we are humbled.
When Jesus suffered we see his love for us. Godly suffering leads to salvation.
After all we suffer and die just like Jesus did. As he was raised we to will be raised. No one can escape it and God has made sure. So what do we have to lose?
To suffer is gain. To mourn our sin leads to life. To reject a broken and selfish world shows we care about what’s happening next and have faith in it.
The rod of suffering will be destroyed soon once and for all.
If suffering does come your way make sure you put Gods will and his ways first so you don’t suffer for doing evil but good. Hopefully this message echoes in all of our minds including mine.
Thank You Lord for allowing me to be humbled by your ways helping me to become more like you. Please bless all those who are suffering and lead them to yourself. Amen
Blessings Chris
This is a hot topic as we look around the world and see brokenness all around us.
I don’t think I have to give any examples of the numerous ways people suffer without getting concrete answers.
Bad people/children suffer and die and so do good people/children. So the big question is why?
I think to answer this we cannot look at things from our own perspectives even though in writing this up we are
However the closest I can get to seeing it through God's perspective is searching for answers in the Bible. It was written by man but inspired by God so he has to leave clues in there somewhere.
And in saying that I believe the best place is at the end of the Bible where God proclaims that suffering will be banished.
So if suffering will be banished why is it allowed to exist and what’s its purpose is?
Throughout the Bible suffering is used to teach people lessons, a form of punishment and sadly just plain acts of evil. There is different forms of suffering and is weighed by God carefully.
I’m not going to tackle all the possible scenarios, what ifs and could be’s however we are to trust God and stay on track no matter what.
Relationships, marriages, jobs, food, clothing, shelter, friends, careers, ministries and even children cannot come before laying it all down before the lord.
If that happens then the things of this world, created things, have become idols and more important than Gods will and God himself, who will raise us up on the last day to give account.
How someone uses their time and how that time glorifies God really shows the intentions of that person’s heart towards a God that will eventually banish all suffering.
Has God created suffering? It’s a big question but I believe he has.
I believe God created it to administer his perfect long-term will.
So let’s have a better look at this.
The answer I believe is found in Eternity.
God offers us Eternity if we love him with all our hearts and walk away from our selfish sinful lives and live for him and others.
The only thing is how does he deal with a wicked world full of sin that puts him on the backburner?
The answer to me is simple. He hides himself in a broken sinful world. Gives people a Bible that sounds foolish and impossible and allows the world to consume itself in decay, destruction and survival.
Only if he draws you to himself will he give you the faith to believe past a dead end world.
Even if we draw closer to him it doesn’t mean our children or loved ones are safe. It doesn’t mean that our marriages will last. We pray with all our hearts it may be so but it’s no guarantee.
I know of a pastor in Australia who only a couple of years ago who was a man full of faith and had 2 sons. One was a faithful youth pastor with wife and children and the other faked cancer to take money from the congregation. The youth pastor one day at the age of 40 was struck down in an open field on a rainy day at a youth camp by lighting leaving a widow with children. It was a large church and both incidents had happened not far apart. The church had to pay back all the money for the other son sent to a rehab in the USA for sick people (mentally sick).
Gods ways are far above our ways so be prepared for anything. That’s why these days I try hard to make it all count. God must come first before everything including his written will for us and eternal salvation.
You may think this is just a perspective and I’m going on some kind of belief that doesn’t have real substance?
Well so you know I’m real I will share a little of my story.
Given away at birth to a foster Christian family. Look after by them for 6 years. Returned to my biological family at 6 and looked after by them for 9 years.
They were very violent and mentally ill so Govt took me out of their care at age 14. Grew up in homeless shelters and refuges for street people.
I experiencing much suffering and was taught how to make people suffer.
Became a Christian at age 22 and began the long journey of transformation by myself. Picked up lots of bad habits and addictions and got rid of them.
Experienced many relationships and seen many Churches…
Finally came to the conclusion beyond my own desires and natural instincts that Gods way is best.
God used suffering and showed me suffering to allow me to see that it all points to him. Suffering allows the world to be humble enough to say we need him and him alone including his ways. Suffering is also used so we can help others. When others suffer we pray, when they suffer we help, when we suffer we are humbled.
When Jesus suffered we see his love for us. Godly suffering leads to salvation.
After all we suffer and die just like Jesus did. As he was raised we to will be raised. No one can escape it and God has made sure. So what do we have to lose?
To suffer is gain. To mourn our sin leads to life. To reject a broken and selfish world shows we care about what’s happening next and have faith in it.
The rod of suffering will be destroyed soon once and for all.
If suffering does come your way make sure you put Gods will and his ways first so you don’t suffer for doing evil but good. Hopefully this message echoes in all of our minds including mine.
Thank You Lord for allowing me to be humbled by your ways helping me to become more like you. Please bless all those who are suffering and lead them to yourself. Amen
Blessings Chris
