Romans 8:28 New International
Version (NIV); "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."
We must have faith that our trials
and tribulations have a divine purpose. Is God responsible for human suffering?
Is God cruel and vindictive? If God truly is all loving and powerful,
then how can He let someone He loves suffer? Are these unfair questions
for Christians to ask? Our usual response to tragedy is to blame God. Those who
don't believe in God seem to be the first to blame the God they don't believe
in. God created a perfect earth and mankind and women-hood through Adam and
Eve. He put them in a perfect place but due to our greed and desire for self
will, sin came into the world.
Genesis 1:1 & 26-27
Selected; New International Version (NIV); "In the beginning God
created the heavens and the earth. Then God said, 'Let us make mankind in our
image.' So God created mankind in His own image."
God never meant for us to suffer,
but we chose to "do it our way". Something really must have
happened to change God's design and intention of creation—that something was
free will and sin. God's ultimate desire was for us to be more
Christ-like. I like the fact that Jesus did not hesitate to say that we would
surely experience pain and suffering.
John 16:33 New International Version
(NIV); “I (JESUS) have told you these things, so that in Me you may have
peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the
world.”
We look at all things from an
earthly state while God looks and directs all from a Divine state. It is His
Word that leads and comforts us.
1 Peter 1:6-9 New International
Version (NIV); " In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little
while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come
so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which
perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when
Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even
though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an
inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your
faith, the salvation of your souls."
I have personally struggled with an
answer to the question of why God allows suffering. Once, as I was talking with
a strong and somewhat well-known follower of God's word; I asked him that
question. After several moments of complete silence, he simple said: "I do
not know". He went on to say; "I don’t have God’s mind. I don’t see
with God’s eyes." Profound? Yes.
1 Corinthians 13:12 New
International Version (NIV); "For now we see only a reflection as in a
mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know
fully, even as I am fully known."
"So when you ask about specific
individual events and want to know why this particular thing happened, we won’t
get the full answer in this world. Someday we’ll see with clarity, but for now
things are foggy. We can’t understand everything from our finite
perspective."
Romans 8:22 New International
Version (NIV); "We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in
the pains of childbirth right up to the present time."
Trials develop Godly character, and
that enables us to lead others to Him. Sure, it is hard to understand and often
does not even seem fair; but it is the orchestration of God.
Romans 5:3-5 New International
Version (NIV); "Not only so, but we
also glory in our sufferings,
because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character;
and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has
been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to
us."
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