Struggling to understand why a good God allows suffering? This article explores pain, judgment, hope through scripture and real-life compassion, and why Jesus chose to suffer with us.
So good, Chris. I have struggled with this many times in the 2 years since my husband was killed. But through it all I have felt something that cannot be aptly described except to say that in the agony, there is something else that has been happening. Something sacred and profound. Maybe some would call it sanctification. It is palpable. And again, indescribable. There IS a point and a work to suffering. Which brings up more questions than answers. I think we have forgotten the mystery of God and the human experience. Without acknowledgement of that, nothing makes sense. I’ll never have answers but I trust in God’s sovereignty. If that’s all I have, I have it all.
This is was an amazing piece. It hit home hard. I've heard people ask these questions before but I've never really addressed them myself. Having lost my mom two months ago, just this April, I have definitely been through pain, struggle confusion and now just tiredness of it all. But I thank God for Him and this piece. It was easy to read and understand how to look at everything and God’s hand in it all 😊
Hi Idara. I'm so sorry about your mom. Thank you for reading. I'm glad this challenges you to dig deeper and have answers to these questions. No matter the intent, the world asks, and we need to be ready "in season and out."
Thank you 😊 She was quiet possibly everything to me - maybe even more than God - so this has been the worst two months. But I thank God for everything. And hope this phase ends very soon lol 😆
Wonderful article Chris. I love the bit in the middle where you speak about folks wanting to be seen as the innocent judge. It is so so true. You’ve unpacked a lot here and I’m sure it will be a blessing to many.
This is a big one. I appreciate you writing about this, as one who has experienced the death of a parent and an unborn child. I love the part where you said, the real problem isn't pain -- it's control. It may be due to the brokenness of this world, which was not God's original design and intent. Or the enemy, who comes to steal, kill or destroy, to whom God's wrath is directed, towards anything that comes against us -- the object of His love. Or the consequences of people's choices, to which The Lord will still honor free will. It's the only way for relational love. And if He removed all evil, then so will be the choice for all good. He sets before us life and death, and He implores us to choose life. But like you said, He did do something about it. It was a done deal before the foundation of the world-- For God so loved...He gave. And till today to eternity, He still is Self-giving Love, through The Son, by The Spirit.
You hit it right on the head when you said that we tend to look for who is responsible or what caused it, in an attempt to use knowledge to ease our pain. But the truth is, it's not what we really need. It's still the wrong tree in the garden. I'm thankful that The Lord doesn't just give us knowledge, but He Himself meets us where we are, comes into our pain, sits on the bathroom floor with us to comfort us, to heal, and then gives us His sufficient grace at the point of our need to help us pick up our mat and walk. He Himself comes to redeem, and to weave it all into our story to bring life out of it.
And life more abundantly.
Jesus is the perfect expression of our Abba. Anything that comes in contrast to that, is an incomplete picture. But even with that, there is always LIFE to be received in the midst of pain and suffering. For He who has The Son, has Life. No matter what it looks like.
Thank you, Camille. I can't imagine what it must feel like to lose a parent and an unborn child. I'm glad this spoke to you. We need to get comfortable with the uncomfortable and ask the questions no one wants to ask. This is how we can point the world to Jesus.
This part stood out for me, "But here’s the issue: if God removed all evil right now, He’d have to remove all of it.
That includes yours and mine."
I've gained compassion and empathy for others, and grace for myself through a life changing medical diagnosis at 21 years old. Learning that I'll have to live with epilepsy at that age was challenging, but I found many gifts in the process of accepting my diagnosis, not becoming it.
Without this season in my life, I would not have become the person I am today and for that, I'm grateful. I've become more resilient, and I have more mental, emotional and spiritual strength as a result.
This tends to be the question that comes up a lot, often by those that don’t fully believe, and even to us believers who can’t understand the whys, or see the purpose, or let go of control, the list can go on and on… but true surrender is the key, blind faith is necessary and complete trust that God is good, faithful, loving and just! This made me think about how I can help, instead of complain… how my trials, hardships and tribulations can lead me to action, instead of anger. I pray for God to show me what, how, and where He’s leading me by way of the “answered” and “unanswered” prayers. I will keep my eyes focused on Him and His goodness, seeking Him in every circumstance and trusting His sovereignty!
Hi, you never got to the baseline of the matter. We have to go way back to the Garden and the two trees and why God put the serpent in there. That’s where we find the answers.
Because Adam, whom YHUH had put in charge of the Garden of Eden, gave away his authority over all that YHUH had put him in charge of. Adam did that by listening to satan, that snake, and obeyed satan’s advice instead of doing what YHUH had told him to do. He thereby gave away his own authority over the earth to satan by transferring his obedience from YHUH over to satan. Satan rules earth for now. But Yahusha-Yahuah paid the sin-price for mankind’s Redemption and He will return to destroy this earth and create another. Read book of Revelation and Gospel of John.
So good, Chris. I have struggled with this many times in the 2 years since my husband was killed. But through it all I have felt something that cannot be aptly described except to say that in the agony, there is something else that has been happening. Something sacred and profound. Maybe some would call it sanctification. It is palpable. And again, indescribable. There IS a point and a work to suffering. Which brings up more questions than answers. I think we have forgotten the mystery of God and the human experience. Without acknowledgement of that, nothing makes sense. I’ll never have answers but I trust in God’s sovereignty. If that’s all I have, I have it all.
Soooo sorry. Still reeling after my best friend/hubby passed in 2022. Hugs to you. You are right.
This is was an amazing piece. It hit home hard. I've heard people ask these questions before but I've never really addressed them myself. Having lost my mom two months ago, just this April, I have definitely been through pain, struggle confusion and now just tiredness of it all. But I thank God for Him and this piece. It was easy to read and understand how to look at everything and God’s hand in it all 😊
Hi Idara. I'm so sorry about your mom. Thank you for reading. I'm glad this challenges you to dig deeper and have answers to these questions. No matter the intent, the world asks, and we need to be ready "in season and out."
Absolutely!
Sooooo sorry. Hugs and prayer to you.
Thank you 😊 She was quiet possibly everything to me - maybe even more than God - so this has been the worst two months. But I thank God for everything. And hope this phase ends very soon lol 😆
Wonderful article Chris. I love the bit in the middle where you speak about folks wanting to be seen as the innocent judge. It is so so true. You’ve unpacked a lot here and I’m sure it will be a blessing to many.
Thanks, James. 😊
What a valuable article, Chris. You hit so many nails right on their heads.
Great post. Thank you.
This is a big one. I appreciate you writing about this, as one who has experienced the death of a parent and an unborn child. I love the part where you said, the real problem isn't pain -- it's control. It may be due to the brokenness of this world, which was not God's original design and intent. Or the enemy, who comes to steal, kill or destroy, to whom God's wrath is directed, towards anything that comes against us -- the object of His love. Or the consequences of people's choices, to which The Lord will still honor free will. It's the only way for relational love. And if He removed all evil, then so will be the choice for all good. He sets before us life and death, and He implores us to choose life. But like you said, He did do something about it. It was a done deal before the foundation of the world-- For God so loved...He gave. And till today to eternity, He still is Self-giving Love, through The Son, by The Spirit.
You hit it right on the head when you said that we tend to look for who is responsible or what caused it, in an attempt to use knowledge to ease our pain. But the truth is, it's not what we really need. It's still the wrong tree in the garden. I'm thankful that The Lord doesn't just give us knowledge, but He Himself meets us where we are, comes into our pain, sits on the bathroom floor with us to comfort us, to heal, and then gives us His sufficient grace at the point of our need to help us pick up our mat and walk. He Himself comes to redeem, and to weave it all into our story to bring life out of it.
And life more abundantly.
Jesus is the perfect expression of our Abba. Anything that comes in contrast to that, is an incomplete picture. But even with that, there is always LIFE to be received in the midst of pain and suffering. For He who has The Son, has Life. No matter what it looks like.
Thank you, Camille. I can't imagine what it must feel like to lose a parent and an unborn child. I'm glad this spoke to you. We need to get comfortable with the uncomfortable and ask the questions no one wants to ask. This is how we can point the world to Jesus.
Absolutely. Thank you so much!
Well written Chris! Thank you for sharing...
This part stood out for me, "But here’s the issue: if God removed all evil right now, He’d have to remove all of it.
That includes yours and mine."
I've gained compassion and empathy for others, and grace for myself through a life changing medical diagnosis at 21 years old. Learning that I'll have to live with epilepsy at that age was challenging, but I found many gifts in the process of accepting my diagnosis, not becoming it.
Without this season in my life, I would not have become the person I am today and for that, I'm grateful. I've become more resilient, and I have more mental, emotional and spiritual strength as a result.
This tends to be the question that comes up a lot, often by those that don’t fully believe, and even to us believers who can’t understand the whys, or see the purpose, or let go of control, the list can go on and on… but true surrender is the key, blind faith is necessary and complete trust that God is good, faithful, loving and just! This made me think about how I can help, instead of complain… how my trials, hardships and tribulations can lead me to action, instead of anger. I pray for God to show me what, how, and where He’s leading me by way of the “answered” and “unanswered” prayers. I will keep my eyes focused on Him and His goodness, seeking Him in every circumstance and trusting His sovereignty!
Hi, you never got to the baseline of the matter. We have to go way back to the Garden and the two trees and why God put the serpent in there. That’s where we find the answers.
Because Adam, whom YHUH had put in charge of the Garden of Eden, gave away his authority over all that YHUH had put him in charge of. Adam did that by listening to satan, that snake, and obeyed satan’s advice instead of doing what YHUH had told him to do. He thereby gave away his own authority over the earth to satan by transferring his obedience from YHUH over to satan. Satan rules earth for now. But Yahusha-Yahuah paid the sin-price for mankind’s Redemption and He will return to destroy this earth and create another. Read book of Revelation and Gospel of John.