Why do people suffer?

error · Apr 13, 2013

I had a conversation with my friend today. She asked me-if there is a God ->thn why should I suffer->feel this pain?
She has some kind of autoimmune disease. I'm not a doctor-I can't explain it so well (she has swollen knee and things like that- and it hurts bad!). She's pretty extreme girl. She likes to live and enjoy her life. She likes extreme sports and all that-but she can't do all of that when she's in pain.

Anyway, I must admit ->I had no real good answer to her question. I wonder what would you say to your friend if she would ask you this question?

And one more thing-could you-> please <-pray for my friend? Thanks!

hattiebod · Apr 13, 2013

error said:

I was reading about this the other day in an article by Joni Eareckson Tada (quadriplegic) She wrote (& she really knows what she is talking about!) that pain and suffering gets our minds off the temporary things of this world and get us thinking about God. ( 2 Cor. 4:16-18) and suffering also get us deeper into his Word. (Psalm 119:71.) Trials also get us focused on and relying on God (2 Cor. 12:7) and when we depend on Him to get us through each minute of the day we really get to know Him (2 Cor. 1:9) Problems and pain give us the chasnce to praise God even when its hard too...sickness can wake us up from sin (Psalm 119:67) and it can also be helpful in getting us to relate to others better who are struggling (2 Cor. 1:3-4) Christ promises us in John 16:24 that God will give us joy, joy that we might be complete, whatever the circumstances. We can be amazing witnesses whatever we are going through and as Joni has shown since her tragic accident, God has not healed her but he has given her endurance, perseverance and long -suffering and an amazing ministry...God Bless you and I shall pray for your friend that she will be blessed and know His love, regardless of her circumstances. <><

Oncefallen · Apr 13, 2013

The short reply is that God created a perfect world in which there was no pain, suffering, or death; but man introduced sin into that world and with sin the results of sin which are pain, suffering, and death. Unfortunately we won't experience the perfection that was in the Garden until after the grave.

There is a balance between God's love and God's justice. Sure, many people can't comprehend how a loving God would allow suffering, but a just God cannot allow sin to exist without consequences and unfortunately we all have to live with the consequences of being in a fallen world.

TheAristocat · Apr 13, 2013

error said:

John 9:2, 6-7 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”[SUP] [/SUP]“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. [...] After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

I'm a type 1 diabetic. Got it when I was 16. I take multiple injections daily in order to survive. In the past I've been bummed about it, but if I had never received this "thorn in my side" I think I would've lacked some much needed evidence of God's love in my life and his ongoing protection. If everything went well for us then we would never need God's help, and we would never have any evidence of God's hand in our lives.

error · Apr 13, 2013

hattiebod said:

I was reading about this the other day in an article by Joni Eareckson Tada (quadriplegic) She wrote (& she really knows what she is talking about!) that pain and suffering gets our minds off the temporary things of this world and get us thinking about God. ( 2 Cor. 4:16-18) and suffering also get us deeper into his Word. (Psalm 119:71.) Trials also get us focused on and relying on God (2 Cor. 12:7) and when we depend on Him to get us through each minute of the day we really get to know Him (2 Cor. 1:9) Problems and pain give us the chasnce to praise God even when its hard too...sickness can wake us up from sin (Psalm 119:67) and it can also be helpful in getting us to relate to others better who are struggling (2 Cor. 1:3-4) Christ promises us in John 16:24 that God will give us joy, joy that we might be complete, whatever the circumstances. We can be amazing witnesses whatever we are going through and as Joni has shown since her tragic accident, God has not healed her but he has given her endurance, perseverance and long -suffering and an amazing ministry...God Bless you and I shall pray for your friend that she will be blessed and know His love, regardless of her circumstances. <><

That is what I was trying to say. But she asks so many questions...

error · Apr 13, 2013

TheAristocat said:

John 9:2, 6-7 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. [...] After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

I'm a type 1 diabetic. Got it when I was 16. I take multiple injections daily in order to survive. In the past I've been bummed about it, but if I had never received this "thorn in my side" I think I would've lacked some much needed evidence of God's love in my life and his ongoing protection. If everything went well for us then we would never need God's help, and we would never have any evidence of God's hand in our lives.

That is what I exactly said to her.

error · Apr 13, 2013

But believe me-people don't wanna hear all that when they feel pain. I just don't know how to comfort her.

TheAristocat · Apr 13, 2013

error said:

That's interesting, because that's how I got diabetes. My immune system attacked my pancreas and destroyed the insulin-producing cells on it. Not that I'm in pain... (Just glad I'm not afraid of needles) I'm sure that I can't entirely identify with her as a result. But I don't think someone can comfort autoimmune diseases away. lol She has her thorn and I have mine. And as long as she knows God still loves her, that's what matters. Patience is the only thing that can keep her in that love. If she's tired of the pain then she needs medication or a miracle. If she hasn't had a miracle, then it's best she gets the medication.

But, again, no matter how much we try to comfort someone who, let's say, has just snapped their leg in half we're not going to be able to take that pain away. They'll understand we love them and God loves them, etc. but the pain will remain. But I'm willing to pray for her if God will listen. I just hope she's done everything she can about it first.

error · Apr 13, 2013

TheAristocat said:

She's not a christian. She knows that I am a christian-that is why she attacked me with this question. I could sense it. And I told her that. And she admited that I was right. She goes to church, but she's also into yoga and other things. She just don't understand how can I believe in Jesus-and if I really do (she knows I do)-and he is the only God-then why he let's her suffer? She has many other questions. And to be honest-I don't have answers to all her questions. I know that I can't take her pain away, but she is my friend-that is why I want to comfort her somehow. I mean we care about our friends and want the best for them, right?

TheAristocat · Apr 13, 2013

error said:

So this question is not something that you personally need answered? And if your friend doesn't believe in God, then it's not likely she will accept any answer dealing with God. I've had atheists ask me this question, too, and believe me they're not looking for answers. They'll argue with every one you give. I'm glad that you can be a godly presence in her life and show her love. And I'm sure she's capable of being your friend, but don't be deceived by these "questions." Because they're probably not going to consider the answers you give them.

Atheists may even try to lead Christians away from the faith by refusing to give God an inch and constantly accusing him of horrible atrocities. I really don't think she's interested in changing her mind. The only mind she probably wants to change is yours. I don't want to bash your friend, but if an atheist can "enlighten" someone by causing them to renounce their faith then in their minds they've done a good deed.

TheAristocat · Apr 13, 2013

error said:

Have you ever asked her why God let his only begotten Son suffer so much? And could there potentially be a reason why she is suffering? I really think she needs to be open to the possibility that God is real before she'd be ready to accept any possible explanation on God's behavior.

error · Apr 13, 2013

TheAristocat said:

She is grasping a lil bit from everything-trying to understand what is REAL, what is TRUTH. She knows that she can push my buttons, but I will not change my mind. And I said to her that even I have some doubts sometimes (I think it is a normal thing to have questions sometimes). For example-she knows that I will never go to yoga (even I do have some problems with my back) and that I will not do many other things. And she might not understand my 'stubbornness' and that I say NO to things that are not ok with me-but she respects that.

teuful_hunden · Apr 13, 2013

everyone is sinful before God. The fact that we even live is a testament to the mercy of God that he shows love on us and gives us the chance to embrace him.

Markum1972 · Apr 13, 2013

Tough thing to address, but through scripture I have seen 3 reasons why we suffer...

1. Ignorance (not having heard the good news)
2. Rebellion (denying Christ and what He has said)
3. Persecution (takes place when one is offended by another speaking the Word of God)

Just wanted to share my observations on suffering. It has helped me to seek, repent, and forgive.

TheAristocat · Apr 13, 2013

error said:

Well, I know that atheists have played the innocent and naive before. For example, some will pretend to convert for someone they love and then ask a lot of questions aimed at derailing that person from their faith.

I just think that if she's opposed to believing in God because of everything horrible that goes on in the world and she won't take seriously any of your explanations about God's allowance of this because she doesn't believe in him, then she's pretty much just checkmated herself.

Let's hope that's not the case though.

jb · Apr 13, 2013

Job chapters 1 & 2, Rom 5v1-5, James 1v2-4,12...it is God's way of forming Christ's character in His children and preparing them for the eternal Kingdom and their position therein...

Powemm · Apr 13, 2013

it's a test , it's all a test

Shouryu · Apr 13, 2013

From Hal Lindsey's book, Combat Faith:

Why do Christians endure trials?
1. To glorify God: Daniel 3:16-18
2. Discipline for known sin: Hebrews 12:5-11, James 4:17, Romans 14:23, 1 John 1:9
3. To prevent us from falling into sin: 1 Peter 4:1-2
4. To keep us from pride: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Galatians 4:15 and 6:11
5. To build faith: 1 Peter 1:6-7
6. To cause growth: Romans 5:3-5
7. To teach obedience and discipline: Acts 9:15-16, Philippians 4:11-13
8. To equip us to comfort others: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
9. To prove the reality of Christ in us: 2 Corinithians 4:7-11
10. For the testimony of angels: Job 1:8, Ephesians 3:8-11, 1 Peter 1:12

Jullianna · Apr 13, 2013

Oncefallen said:

Great answer.

It helps to know that God uses even this for good. Suffering teaches us compassion (or it can if we don't allow bitterness to take root). It makes us stronger. It gives us wisdom. It can, if we allow it, provide us with opportunities to be used by Him to help others. At certain times it can even bring us joy if we are suffering because we belong to Him.

Dellboy100 · Apr 16, 2013

I agree with what Oncefallen said -

The short reply is that God created a perfect world in which there was no pain, suffering, or death; but man introduced sin into that world and with sin the results of sin which are pain, suffering, and death. Unfortunately we won't experience the perfection that was in the Garden until after the grave.

There is a balance between God's love and God's justice. Sure, many people can't comprehend how a loving God would allow suffering, but a just God cannot allow sin to exist without consequences and unfortunately we all have to live with the consequences of being in a fallen world.

But also I believe that as a Christian, His strength and power are shown through our weakness. I am a lay preacher and committed Baptist, but I use a wheelchair. I have various conditions that I have to deal with, including swelling in my legs, with occational ulcers breaking out, very painful and achey all the time.

Why do people suffer?

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